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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my mobile device: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but thought another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included LED strip lights and two 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 anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was always: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never completely sure about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed readily to capitalism’s demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, 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 provided me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I began questioning: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before going to the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buying a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I possessed a smartphone, similar to most people, that features a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Naturally, there have been times I’ve slipped back into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s probably the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, forcing 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 revolutionary as it is straightforward.