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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 fair amount for a someone still at university, so I did my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I went online again and bought a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I added light strips and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

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

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying 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 the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring any item, I’d put it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to think – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was no.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and begin anew. By employing this system, I stopped buying goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the shop, 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 had a smartphone, like everybody else, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore did not need to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally look at my financial records devoid of feeling shame or discomfort.

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 signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for instant satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, forcing myself to pause before purchasing has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my impulses and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my hard-earned money on non-essential products feels as radical as it is straightforward.