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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. 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 a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

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

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.