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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous 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 spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, 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 the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.