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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended 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 entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, 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 technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing 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 waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.