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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a hairdryer. I already had one, but thought another couldn't hurt. Then I added LED strip lights and two pairs of shoes that didn't even fit me. This wasn’t new behaviour. In fact, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 turned into £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain about the reason. Maybe it was due to I grew up in a low-income family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the home. So any time I had extra money, there was always a hidden yearning for new and thrilling things. Or maybe, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and succumbed readily to capitalism’s consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I opted to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d place it in my basket, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The best part of this method was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started asking myself: “Do I truly require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my cart, I’d remove them and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I understood I never actually play tabletop games.

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

The Lasting Impact

It additionally signifies I am more discerning about the items I do buy, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing guilt or discomfort.

Naturally, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it’s only natural. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a strong trigger. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless expenditure.

Consumer culture preys on this idleness and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly freeing. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential products feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.