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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my salary had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I launched every shopping app on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on clothes, home decor and a totally unused heavy blanket that I never used.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned an extra one couldn't hurt. Then I included light strips and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In fact, I’d been infamous for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt anxious, exhausted or bored, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and continued.

I was never entirely sure why I did this. Perhaps it was because I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I opted to experiment with something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to check out. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I started asking myself: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After waiting I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that features a perfectly good lens, and thus did not need to acquire a dedicated camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally means I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can at last look at my bank statements without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can recognise the warning signs sooner, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest motivator of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for instant satisfaction. That’s why, looking back, compelling myself to halt before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have control over my urges and remind myself that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.