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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. 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 uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting 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 the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised ennui is a strong trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.