Buying more will not make you happy. How do you feel about having vs. doing? The “doing” is so much more fulfilling. Really.
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Too Much Stuff
Do you have too much stuff? Have less, do more, decrease anxiety and stress!
You keep plugging away, nose to the grindstone, working hard, trying to keep up. Payday comes and it doesn’t quite feel like enough. All you do is work, work, work!
If I only had a bigger house or a nicer car, I’d be happy. My life would be so much better if only I could dress like that gal in the magazine.
I really need to have the latest (insert here: phone, gadget, fitness watch, etc.). New furniture, a new TV, or another room remodeled, then I would have all I need.
Society makes us feel like the definition of success is how much you can afford. We are judged by the things society sees as successes – having “stuff” – too MUCH stuff. Is this really all there is to it?
To continue the same routine, day in and day out, in order to have enough money for that one more thing. Feeling like there is never going to be an end to the madness. Work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep. Are you ready to get off the merry-go-round? The Minimalists have it all figured out and can help if you’re ready!
Where is the happiness?
Buying more will not make you happy. A bigger house will need more things to fill it. A cluttered life can eventually lead to a stressful existence. With bigger, there is more insurance, more taxes to pay, more cleaning to do, and more to maintain.
Now your time is spent sorting, moving, building, sharpening, fixing, wiping, and worrying about it all. The temporary happiness that comes from getting a new toy fades quickly and never lasts as long as you anticipated.
Having all that “stuff” isn’t the key. Spending your whole life earning a paycheck, working hard, and focusing on the wrong reward only leads to discontent. One more thing to put on the shelf, another cooking gadget, another outfit – none of these will ever truly satisfy.
There’s nothing wrong with having money.
Don’t get me wrong. Money brings security, stability, freedom, and independence. It takes away the stress of worrying about your next meal or where you will sleep. Money is necessary to care for our needs, allowing us to make choices about our future instead of dictating our future.
You should be in control of the money, not the other way around. It’s actually more about handling your money in a responsible way. It makes you rethink the whole definition of success. It’s not about the having, it’s about the doing.
So, if having “things” isn’t the key to happiness, what is?
You want to feel the excitement when getting out of bed in the morning. To look forward to the next thing, planning for something that could hopefully bring a little more satisfaction. Because honestly? It’s hard to feel motivated when all that’s ahead is more of the same rat race.
Instead of HAVING, could the answer indeed be DOING things, going places, exploring, learning, sharing, giving, and seeing more of the world? Being responsible with money could change the possibilities. Instead of spending on things, let’s find ways to go, do, and experience!
For me, travel has come in small doses so far: a few days in Mexico and a trip to Disney 10 years ago. More recently, a taste of some big adventures like the trips to France and the Grand Canyon. While these trips may have been somewhat extravagant, they opened my eyes to the possibility of creating the same type of feelings in a less expensive way: a weekend at the lake or a day exploring attractions close to home.
Let’s make a plan for happiness.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most amazing places! The sights, the beauty, and the overwhelming feeling of joy and wonder created memories that will last a lifetime. Did I tell you how incredible it is? I’m making plans to return, for sure!
Watching the faces of grandchildren as they see a live elephant for the first time, hiking trails looking for mushrooms, camping along the river, seeing a play or running through a sprinkler in the backyard are smaller, yet meaningful events that will also create lasting memories.
Have less, do more.
Join me in making an intentional effort to increase the happy factor by changing the approach.
Limit the Having
- Clean out the closets.
- Have yourself a little Garage Sale.
- Find the leaks in the budget
- Start a more aggressive savings plan
Increase the Doing
- Take small local excursions regularly – here are some things to do in St. Louis, MO.
- Plan for a vacation
- Join with friends for a weekend get-away
- Go to the movies or to a play
- Have a BBQ or picnic
- Road trip to visit out of area family or friends
- Hike in the woods
- Spend the day just playing
Make a bucket list and start checking it off! Do something! Have less, do more!
How do you feel about having vs. doing? Are you on board with me? Would you sell everything to travel? Let me know if this fits your situation… leave a comment, please.
Keep Passing Down the Love,