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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. 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 useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. 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 anxious, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, 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 diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.