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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 decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £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 blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added 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 stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping binge. My justification was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using 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 going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, like everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally look at my financial records without feeling guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.