We Don't Need Much

You probably have seen these words overlay a picture of a beautiful scenary on an Instagram post countless times, or have heard it from a motivational YouTube video that have millions of views. Though we know deep down that there's truth to it, we tend to look pass it because it is as cliche as it can be and it sounds cheesy.

"Money doesn't buy happiness."

It was difficult for me to understand this when I graduated from college and got my first job. This is when I felt a great sense of autonomy when it comes to my finances, because after living off of weekly allowances from my parents, I am now earning my own money and essentially I can do anything with it. Which I did.

Be it another fast fashion shirt, another pair of pants, or that shoes that I might need, I bought it. And I felt happy doing it – at least at that time. We all know that familiar feeling of excitement having something that is "new". The problem with this, as with all other things, this newness is fleeting. And when this feeling subsides, we look forward to the next thing that'll give us that dose of thrill – which in turn puts us in an endless cycle of wanting and buying.

Looking back on all of those things now, I realized that I was practically sleepwalking with my finances. I'm all for spending for the purpose of "enjoying the fruits of my labor" but when it goes unchecked, it's extremely easy to fall into the trap of spending mindlessly on things that's non-essential. Especially because by its nature, salaries comes regularly and you start to think that it's okay to spend on things without thinking twice about it because there will always be money coming in.

The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.
‌‌- Nassim Taleb

Taming Our Desires

After food, clothes, and shelter (realistically it also includes a smartphone and high-speed internet) have all been covered, I realized that I don't need a lot. In fact, if you had the time to read this and you're also in a relatively decent health, you probably don't need much as well. But it's so easy nowadays to feel like you lack on a lot of things when you're constantly being bombarded by advertisements, and pictures and videos of people experiencing and doing cool things that you start to think that they're living a better life.

Saying no to things that you cannot afford is easy. The greater challenge, though you have the financial means to acquire it – is to have the discipline to consistently resist things that doesn't add value to your life.

Treat what you don't have as non-existent. Look at what you have, the things you value the most, and think of how much you'd crave them if you didn't have them. But be careful, don't feel such satisfaction that you start to overvalue them – that it would upset you to lose them.‌‌
- Marcus Aurelius

This is not to say that we should stop trying to achieve and experience things, I still do. But what this realization made me do is to be more intentional on everything that I bring into my life – and be fine when it's gone. It made me remind myself that I don't need to hustle and work myself into exhaustion just to keep up with a certain lifestyle and appear successful.