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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my device. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure about the reason. Perhaps it was because my upbringing in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious desire for new and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

In the end, I opted to experiment with a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I stopped acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing a trio of games, but after a waiting period before going to the store, I understood I never actually engage with tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I possessed a smartphone, like most people, that features a perfectly good camera, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

It also signifies I am more selective about the things I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without feeling guilt or discomfort.

Of course, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

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