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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.