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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.