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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights 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 anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my basket, 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 wanted to buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.