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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, 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 excuse was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is simple.