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One day at work a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, decorative items and a completely unused weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it since I started earning.

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

I was never completely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious desire for novel and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to the coast. After waiting I recalled I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also means I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of feeling guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.