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One day at work two years ago, an notification hit on my phone: my paycheck had been deposited. It was a decent sum for a student, so I proceeded with my usual when payday arrived: I opened every single retail application on my phone. Amazon, Vinted, Etsy, Depop, Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, decorative items and a totally useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I went online again and purchased a hairdryer. I already owned one, but thought an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I added light strips and two pairs of 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 anxious, tired or bored, I would doomscroll until it inevitably ended in an impulsive shopping binge. 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. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d experience months without buying new clothes or anything to decorate the house. So any time I had some disposable income, there was always a hidden desire for new and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just financially irresponsible and succumbed easily to the lure of consumerism.

The Game-Changing Strategy

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring any item, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this technique was that it gave me time to think – something I’d never taken. For the first time since adulthood, I started questioning: “Do I actually require this? Can I afford it?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed Amazon, Depop or Zara and found products sitting in my basket, I’d clear them out and begin anew. Using this system, I ceased acquiring things that I knew deep down I would never use. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play board games.

I also contemplated buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly adequate lens, and thus did not need to buy a separate camera.

The Lasting Impact

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

Of course, there have been times I’ve relapsed into old patterns – it's human nature. The difference now is that I can recognise the signs sooner, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve come to understand boredom is a powerful catalyst. It’s probably the biggest driver of my impulsive spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, looking back, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt unexpectedly liberating. To be able to have command over my impulses and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on unnecessary goods feels as revolutionary as it is simple.