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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I did my usual when payday arrived: I launched every retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another couldn't hurt. 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, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping binge. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because my upbringing in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items sitting in my basket, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once wanted to buy three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a phone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can at last look at my bank statements without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old habits – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m hastening into a transaction. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive expenditure.

Consumer culture exploits this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt strangely freeing. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is simple.