We live in a society that wants us to BE so many things.
In fact, a good majority of businesses run and make a profit off of this notion alone:
- “You need to be fit, so this ab machine is your answer.”
- “You need to eat healthy, and you can’t do that without this rice steamer.”
- You need to be pretty, and look like you’re 20 so here’s a $100 serum of answers.”
We’re in a constant state of motion. Striving and searching for answers and ways to reach this “ideal self” that will allow us to finally be content and happy.
With commercials and social media and marketing campaigns and a holiday for just about every day of the week, it’s no wonder we get so wrapped up in this quest for “more” and “better.”
That’s what our society has designed for us to feel; because if we did decide to slow down, take a look at what we ALREADY have, and realize that IT IS ENOUGH…we would stop consuming. Which would cause them to lose a profit. So the commercials and ads continue to cloud our perceptions of ourselves and what we think we need to add to our lives to be happy.
The secret is this: the desire for more and better in itself will leave you feeling less than and unhappy.
Appreciating what you already have, and being present in the abundance your life provides to you brings more happiness than any new “thing” ever could.
A big factor to the growth of clutter and disorganization in our homes is giving into these notions that we need more as well as the newest things to feel happy. We need to be ruthless gatekeepers to what enters our home and practice intentional decision making when purchasing a new item.
In order to avoid the temptations brought to you by social media and endless advertising, here are a few questions to consider:
- How will this item contribute to my happiness?
- How often will I use it?
- Where will I store it?
- Do I already own something similar, or that can serve a similar purpose?
If we don’t ask ourselves these questions, we end up with an overwhelming amount of “stuff” and a feeling of guilt when we see it in the light of our already overflowing household, rather than the clean aisles of the store.