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One afternoon at my job 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 did my what I always did payday ritual: 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 useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two pairs of 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, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this method was that it provided me space to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. By employing this method, I ceased buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I had a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records devoid of experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary products feels as revolutionary as it is simple.