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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added 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 stressed, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before buying anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my bank statements without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.