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One afternoon at my job two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a someone still at university, so I proceeded with my what I always did payday ritual: I opened every single shopping app on my device. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. In under 60 minutes, I had parted with £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused weighted blanket that I never used.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and bought a hairdryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added LED strip lights and two shoes that weren’t even my size. This wasn't a new pattern. In reality, I’d been notorious for it ever since I could afford to buy my own things.

Whenever I felt stressed, exhausted or uninterested, I would doomscroll until it inevitably culminated in an impulsive shopping spree. My excuse 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. 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 house. So any moment I had extra money, there was always a hidden desire for novel and thrilling things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try something new. Prior to buying anything, I’d place it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it gave me space to reflect – an action I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began questioning: “Do I truly need this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the response was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I stopped buying things that I intuitively knew I would never use. I once wanted to buy a trio of games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I understood I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buy a disposable film camera for my first holiday to Croatia. After pausing I recalled I possessed a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore did not need to acquire a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It additionally signifies I am more selective about the items I do purchase, and I can at last look at my financial records without experiencing shame or discomfort.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m hastening into a purchase. I’ve realised boredom is a strong catalyst. It’s perhaps the biggest driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for instant gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to spend my hard-earned money on non-essential goods feels as radical as it is straightforward.