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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it always culminated 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 certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to capitalism’s consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me time to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered products lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, similar to everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to acquire a dedicated device.

The Lasting Impact

It additionally means I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my bank statements devoid of experiencing shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly freeing. Gaining control over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.