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One day at work two years ago, 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 opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping binge. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

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 without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture exploits this idleness and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.