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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, 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 simple.