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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two 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 doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, 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 gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.