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One afternoon at my job a couple of years back, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a totally unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Prior to buying any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old habits – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is simple.