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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.