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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my salary had come through. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor 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 reasoned an extra one 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, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I truly 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 basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I stopped acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first trip to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless expenditure.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.