Scroll, Shop, Regret: The Social Media Cycle of Impulse Buys

We’ve all had those moments of impulse buying, those unplanned purchases driven by sudden, immediate desires which lead to overconsumption. Later, you end up regretting them, or they turn out to be completely unnecessary. Influencers promoting "good" products, endless hauls, and the "everywhere you look" marketing on social media can easily lead to unwanted purchases.

Chances are, you've seen those 'aesthetic organizing videos' unboxing a package just to repackage it into a million separate containers, not to recycle or reuse what you already have, but to transfer things purely for visual appeal. Because apparently, to influencers, aesthetics and promoting 500 new items matter more than environmental consequences. It looks satisfying, definitely unnecessary. So, without thinking too much, we tap "Add to Cart."

Impulse buying has become second nature in the age of social media. One minute you're watching a video, the next you’re ordering it and you’ll probably never use it. These aren’t just spontaneous decisions anymore. They’re engineered by platforms that know exactly how to trigger your desire to spend. It’s quick, seamless, and designed to feel good in the moment.

Everything today is just a minute or a click away. No one’s reading the labels anymore, what it’s made of, where it came from, or why we’re even buying it. All we see are trends, sales, and convenience. But there’s a big downside to the must-have items, limited deals with timers, leading to unnecessary spending.

The Regret Is Real

In the U.S. alone, nearly 60% of users admit they regret their social media fuelled impulse purchases. That’s a big number. It’s consumerism exploitation, plain and simple. Buyer's remorse is more common than we realize.

Now, when social media helps you discover local, transparent products where you know how and where something is made, that’s a different story. But most of what’s pushed online now is the exact opposite, the unbelievable discounts and fast-changing trends that encourage overbuying.

Globally, there’s been a 70% increase in people using TikTok to find information about brands and products. And while India doesn’t have TikTok, it’s no different, people shop through countless apps that target the same impulse triggers.

Social media sells a false fantasy, that everything should be a click away. Instant gratification. Delivered tomorrow.

- Time-limited deals make you rush.
- Influencer codes make it feel exclusive.
- App-based shopping makes it too easy.

Breaking the Pattern

So, what can we do? Maybe it’s not about deleting every app or rejecting social media altogether. Maybe it’s about small, mindful actions. 

And these triggers are hard to escape because they’re everywhere. A good way to pause is through a digital detox or try this great tip from Jia Singh, one of our podcast guests - when you add something to your cart, leave it there for a day. You’ll only come back to it if you actually need it. That moment to pause and reflect helps you consider the necessity of the item instead of just buying on impulse.
 
When you resist that momentary urge, you put a full stop to the entire cycle. Ultimately, saying no to impulse buys and trend-chasing culture is rejecting a system that thrives on making us feel like we’re always missing out.

Are we beginning to reject haul culture? Is "de-influencing" actually gaining ground? A yes to that would mean less pressure on landfills, and of course, more time and money saved.