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One day at work a couple of years back, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I launched every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally useless heavy blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. My excuse was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely certain why I did this. Maybe it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without purchasing new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, 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. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide on whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the store, I understood I never actually play board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the items I do purchase, and I can at last review my financial records without feeling shame or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s the reason, in hindsight, forcing myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining command over my urges and remind myself that I don't have to spend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.