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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income 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 hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous 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 strong trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.