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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my mobile device: my salary had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I launched every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on clothes, home decor and a completely useless heavy blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I went online again and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned another wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two pairs of shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn’t new behaviour. In reality, I’d been infamous for it since I started earning.

Whenever I felt stressed, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it always culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “It's only £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never completely certain why I did this. Perhaps it was due to my upbringing 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 subconscious yearning for new and exciting things. Or maybe, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

In the end, I decided to try something new. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my digital cart, wait 24 hours, then decide whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this method was that it gave me space to think – an action I’d never taken. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I truly need this? Is it within my budget?” Most of the time, the answer was no.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. By employing this system, I ceased acquiring goods that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered buy three board games, but after waiting before going to the store, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also contemplated buy a single-use camera for my first holiday to the coast. After pausing I remembered I possessed a phone, like most people, that has a perfectly adequate lens, and therefore had no requirement to acquire a separate camera.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do buy, and I can at last review my financial records devoid of feeling shame or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into previous habits – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs sooner, particularly when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful trigger. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my impulsive spending.

Consumer culture preys on this boredom and our need for immediate satisfaction. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before purchasing has felt unexpectedly liberating. Gaining control over my impulses and remind myself that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.