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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious 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 always ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it provided me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I stopped acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more discerning about the items 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 slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our need for immediate gratification. That’s why, looking back, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.