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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, 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 did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. 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 mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.