Do you think that concerns about materialism and happiness are a relatively modern phenomenon? Think again. Victorian writer Edward Sandford Martin (who wrote in 1893) had this to say:
“If another man tries to oppress him, he understands that and is ready to fight to the death and sacrifice all that he has, rather than submit; the tyranny of things is so subtle, so gradual in its approach, and it comes so masked with apparent benefits., which has him hopelessly tied before he suspects his shackles. He says day by day: “I will add to my house like this”; “I will have one or two more horses”; “I will make a small greenhouse in my house”. garden “;” I will allow myself the luxury of another laborer “; and thus he continues having things and imagining that he is richer for them. Now he begins to realize that things belong to him … “
Going back (much further), the Prophet raised the following:
“And tell me, people of OrphaIese, what do you have in these houses?
And what do you keep with closed doors?
Do you have peace, the silent impulse that reveals your power?
Do you have memories, the glittering arches that cross the peaks of the mind?
Do you have beauty that takes the heart of things made of wood and stone to the holy mountain?
Tell me, do you have these in your houses?
Or do you just have comfort and craving for comfort?
that stealthy thing that a guest enters the house,
and then he becomes a host and then a teacher? “
Order your life …
You may have come across modern quotes of a similar style, such as ‘You do not own your possessions, your possessions belong to you’. I think there is an old Chinese proverb (isn’t it always there?) That I’m going to paraphrase wrong as something like “If you’re only going to be happy once you have everything you want, or are you going to have to work really hard to get it? everything or you need to reduce the amount of things you want. “
What is it in the nature of man that prompts us to feel this way? I’m not sure, probably a combination of the human instinct to want to provide and care for those around them and the greedy little capitalist in all of us. Regardless, in my inexperienced opinion, the more things you have in your life, the less you will be in touch or in control of your life. Calculate the difference between what you want and what you need. Put your life in order, throw away everything that has not been worn, used, read or even touched in the last year, you don’t really need it. Work will not free you, order your will. Take a look here for some eastern-oriented inspiration on this.
… and be happy
Anyway, if the ancestral and spiritual advice that I have kindly presented to you does not force you to reflect on it, I will appeal to you with cold and hard science. Less clutter and things mean more happiness. For quite some time, researchers have known that, in general, spending money on experiences rather than material possessions leads to greater long-term happiness, and people who are “experiential” than “materialistic” people are generally happier. The excitement of a new purchase (it can be a strong chemical discharge that can turn into an addiction) disappears quickly, while the memories live forever. I will never forget my joy and pride that my parents gave me my first smart car when I was in my 20s, and also, but a few years later, my longing for another more modern and expensive car. What did the car change? Hardly, except for a few scratches and more discolored paint. I? I don’t think so, except being a few years older and uglier. No matter how happy you think the new watch will make you, it won’t last. If you really think you need a new dress for the impending event on your calendar to make sure you feel like a million dollars and enjoy yourself, prepare to have the feeling fade away when you see everyone else look just like you. Less is more. Reduce and optimize. Get rid of distractions and prioritize.
Lastly, if you still want to be happier but can’t really take your head off the consumer lifestyle we live in, or you’re a gadget fanatic, you won’t start spending your time and money on experiences instead of things, I have The next tip: move to another geographic area where you will have above-average income. You will still be a materialistic wage slave, but you will likely be happier. See here why.
This might be an appropriate time to mention a seemingly popular proverb in Thailand: “Don’t think about being happy, just be.” Try to remember the next time your mouse hand is over the “Buy It Now” button on eBay.