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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, 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 doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. 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 I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.