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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, 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 clothes, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.