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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that didn't even fit me. 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 bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never done before. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I recalled I had a smartphone, like most people, that has a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.