As a teenager growing up in a world of commercialism and consumerism in the 21st century, itâs easy to believe more = the merrier.
Yet over the years, as Iâve started using my credit card, paying for things that I once presumed would bring me joy, theyâve now ended up being a pure hassle and money down the drain.
Itâs not until you actually acquire something that you then have to deal with what no one told you about.
This is one of the top lessons I hope my generation adopts earlier than later. Learning this truth bomb will not only make you more appreciative of what you already have, which is all you ever need, but you also stop focusing on someone elseâs grass. It isnât greener! Everything we donât have looks better. We canât seem to run away from that misconception.
There are very few more annoying things than believing someone else has it better just because they have more materialistic goods. What we donât have, we are convinced is better even if it may be the complete opposite. This is a dangerous habit people get themselves financially into trouble with.
Without the constant bombardment of upgrades, gadgets, and launches, I have a feeling we would be much happier, wealthier, healthier, and smarter as a society.
How to Combat The Resistance to Wanting More
Releasing sparks of jealousy and comparison arenât unusual. In fact, everyone gets them and they arenât bad per se as long as you can control them which most people have a hard time with. Growing up in this age is difficult and maybe the most strenuous and time-consuming period on our wallets and time.
Over Thanksgiving, my grandparents and I had an hours-long conversation about how over-consumed and stimulated I am. They had far more friends and knew far less than I do at my age but were more at ease. They didnât look up to strangers on magazines, they looked up to the people in their lives for inspiration. They didnât want to keep up with the Joneses across the street. They kept up with their studies and works of art instead.
This made me wonder how much I am missing. Too much is dangerous. Moderation is key in everything. No wonder we are all addicted to something. We are dealing with a second crisis, a mental health epidemic. I cannot imagine how many lives and minds would be saved with the limited use of technology. It is overtaking all our lives in some capacity. We do have control over reducing screen time but cannot resist the temptation of these lucrative addictive algorithms that know more about us than our loved ones as we depend on them for everything. We live so much of our lives online that it has become more difficult to live in the present and appreciate all that we have. After all, what we have inside of us is already enough. Our constraints and limitations help us the most. If we had everything, we would have no motivation to see our potential which is arguably the worst regret.
Gratefulness brings joy, not the opposite. Iâve learned this the hard way and it is something I must remind myself daily. The truth is, if we continue to degrade ourselves based on othersâ accomplishments and accolades, we will feel miserable. We only get one shot at life and âmaking itâ will never occur since thereâs always more to everything.
The purpose of growing your money isnât to compete or impress anyone. Money is to be spent to help yourself but remember, itâs better to die with a little more than with a little less. It has to work for and with you by funding your personalized lifestyle. Although it is tempting to keep up with our idols, we have no idea how they are feeling inside.
People only show what they WANT us to see. Not reality, only the photoshopped superficial 1%.
Imagine you were able to buy anything you wanted in life. All you did was keep spending and nothing would run out but what would soon run dry is your desire to invest in yourself. Life is so much more than materialistic goods. Those with more are as unhappy and miserable as those with nothing. Itâs all in your frame of mind. Shift your perspective for ultimate appreciation. Buying more isnât selfish, itâs a true waste later on.