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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 fair amount for a student, so I proceeded with my what I always did when payday arrived: I opened every single shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, you name it. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely useless weighted blanket that never touched.

A short while after, I returned to the internet and bought a blow dryer. I already had one, but reasoned 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 stressed, exhausted or bored, I would doomscroll until it always ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My excuse was always: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

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 outfits or anything to brighten up the house. So any time I had extra money, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and definitely more likely, I was just bad with money and gave in easily to the lure of consumerism.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to experiment with something new. Before acquiring anything, I’d place it in my digital cart, delay for 24 hours, then decide whether to finalize the purchase. The best part of this method was that it provided me space to think – something I’d never taken. For the first occasion since I turned 18, I started questioning: “Do I actually need this? Can I afford it?” Most of the time, the response was no.

If I opened Amazon, Depop or Zara and discovered items lingering in my basket, I’d remove them and start fresh. By employing this method, I ceased acquiring things that I intuitively knew I would never utilize. I once wanted to purchasing three board games, but after waiting before visiting the store, I realised I never actually engage with board games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first trip to Croatia. After pausing I remembered I had a smartphone, similar to everybody else, that features a perfectly good lens, and therefore had no requirement to buy a separate device.

The Enduring Benefits

It also means I am more discerning about the things I do purchase, and I can finally review my financial records without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Naturally, there have been times I’ve relapsed into previous patterns – it's human nature. The key change is that I can recognise the signs early, particularly when I’m rushing into a purchase. I’ve come to understand ennui is a powerful catalyst. It’s perhaps the primary motivator of my reckless spending.

Modern culture preys on this boredom and our desire for immediate gratification. That’s the reason, in hindsight, compelling myself to halt before buying has felt strangely freeing. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don’t need to expend my diligently earned money on non-essential goods feels as revolutionary as it is straightforward.