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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I opened every shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. 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 infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll 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 sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide 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 began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped buying things that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as radical as it is simple.