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One day at work two years ago, an alert popped up on my phone: my paycheck had come through. It was a decent sum for a student, so I did my usual payday ritual: I opened every shopping app on my phone. From Amazon to Zara, the list was endless. Within the space of an hour, I had spent £90 on apparel, home decor and a completely unused heavy blanket that never touched.

A few days later, I returned to the internet and purchased a blow dryer. I already owned one, but reasoned an extra one wouldn't be a problem. Then I included light strips and two shoes that didn't even fit me. 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 uninterested, I would mindlessly scroll until it inevitably ended in an unplanned shopping spree. My justification was constantly: “Oh well, it’s just £5.” But £5 became £10, then £20, and so on.

I was never entirely certain about the reason. Maybe it was because I grew up in a poor family, where we’d go months without buying new clothes or anything to brighten up the home. So any moment I had some disposable income, there was always a subconscious yearning for novel and exciting things. Or possibly, and almost certainly, I was just bad with money and gave in readily to the lure of demands.

A Revolutionary Approach

Eventually, I decided to try a novel idea. Prior to acquiring anything, I’d put it in my basket, delay for 24 hours, then make a choice on whether to check out. The greatest advantage of this technique was that it provided me time to reflect – something I’d never done before. For the first time since I turned 18, I began asking myself: “Do I actually require this? Is it within my budget?” More often than not, the answer was negative.

If I accessed my shopping apps and discovered products lingering in my cart, I’d clear them out and start fresh. Using this system, I ceased buying goods that I knew deep down I would never utilize. I once considered purchasing three board games, but after a waiting period before visiting the shop, I realised I never actually play tabletop games.

I also wanted to buying a disposable film camera for my first holiday to the coast. After waiting I recalled I had a phone, similar to most people, that has a perfectly adequate camera, and therefore 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 bank statements without experiencing guilt or embarrassment.

Of course, there have been occasions I’ve slipped back into previous habits – it’s only natural. The difference now is that I can identify the warning signs early, especially when I’m rushing into a transaction. I’ve realised ennui is a strong catalyst. It’s probably the primary driver of my reckless spending.

Modern culture exploits this boredom and our desire for immediate satisfaction. That’s why, in hindsight, compelling myself to pause before buying has felt strangely liberating. Gaining command over my urges and reaffirming that I don't have to expend my hard-earned money on unnecessary products feels as radical as it is straightforward.