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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.