Many people make the mistake and believe they must achieve and gain more “things” to be successful and happy in life.
That’s a flawed and misguided way of thinking that will only lead to more stress, disappointment, and potentially a sense of failure and depression.
I used to think the same when I was in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. My favorite slogan was – “he who dies with more wins!”
How wrong I was.
Seeking attention
Aways desiring more, such as a bigger house, a nicer car, more income, luxury holidays, and so on, creates a stressful life, and ultimately (in most cases), a loss of the sense of reality and what is truly important in life.
Material things do not make you happy, content, or a better person in the long term. In my experience, it’s the opposite.
Following that mentality will cause stress and likely make you feel inferior and unworthy, especially if you don’t get what you want!
Whether or not you have your bigger house or luxury car, it doesn’t make a difference to the quality of your life, plus (and this is key) nobody else cares!
The only one who cares is you to satisfy your ego – it installs a false sense of superiority towards others.
You think you’re getting a ton of attention and admiration – that soothes your mind and pets your ego.
However, that’s a misguided and selfish mindset.
The bottom line? Your possessions are of no consequence or interest to others.
Getting attention from your friends and family is a fool’s game. That “attention” almost always leads to jealousy, with people thinking you’re a show-off and disliking you.
That’s a definite way to become ungrateful, negative, and unhappy with your life.
I know this, as I followed that exact path in my younger years, and the outcome was negativity, feeling let down, never satisfied, constantly stressed, and eventually disliked.
The only noticeable change in my life was that I had more superficial so-called friends who played my game for a free ride to lunch, dinner, trips, and more.
Your quality of life, keeping it simple, and “living well” is worth gold
Improving yourself daily by learning new things, eating healthily, and executing an active, healthy lifestyle makes you far more satisfied. It will sooner or later quash the urge to “buy more things.”
Most folks don’t need even half of the items they own. It’s merely junk accumulated over time that soon becomes useless.
Material things lose their value and fade into the back of your mind.
Learning to live a healthy, productive, minimalist life while continuously challenging and improving your physical and mental health is the way to long-lasting happiness and gratitude.
I used to have heaps of expensive clothes, shoes, top-of-the-line watch brands, luxury cars, motorbikes, a speedboat, and two luxury villas. I always traveled the world on business or pleasure while living it up in expensive hotels and business class air-faires!
Where did it get me? Nowhere.
I lost touch with reality and control of my finances. A costly mistake I made for years, which finally taught me harsh life lessons and forced me to my knees.
I had to start again from scratch with more or less nothing.
Here’s how I did it. Please read more in my story:
10 Time-Tested Methods To Boost Your Positivity, Live A Fulfilled and Joyful Life, and Build Physical, and Mental Strength.
Final Thoughts
When you allow yourself to rise too far without a safety net, the fall will eventually be long and hard.
Ultimately, I was grateful that I fell. It forced me to look at myself and work hard to change my mindset, return to real life, and accept that I messed up.
Once I simplified life, got rid of the clutter, and cleared my mind from the pressure and stress, I began to heal mentally and physically.
Today I possess far less. But, I have a low-stress life, execute my health coaching and writing passionately, eat healthy food, am in excellent shape, have a sharp and clear mind, and am happy and content.
Rob
