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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: 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 opened 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, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. 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 doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I realised I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.