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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single 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 totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. 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 stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.