Lately I have been struck with how complicated we make our lives. From hobbies to home decor, there is always a pursuit for more. I attend an entrepreneur lecture series, and on day one our speaker said something that struck me. It was something to this effect:
“No matter how much money you make, you will always find a way to spend it.”
She was an amazing woman. She had climbed from single parenthood and poverty to being a remarkably influential business woman. Yet this sentence hit me hard.
She had lived in a two-room apartment with her two babies. Scraping by at the end of each day, yet she was happy. Millions of dollars later in an immaculate mansion and cars only driven twice a year, the money and spending hadn’t made her any happier. Her drive and determination had carried her further than her 20-something self could imagine. She was now happily re-married and had all she needed and could hope for. But it wasn’t the money or the stuff that brought her joy.
On the contrary, I would argue.
Somehow in each of us there is this unsatiated need to have more. The flow of Instagram tells us we need something brighter, more colorful, more flashy like the neighbor next door. We are surrounded by ads for the newest styles, decor, and recreational pursuits.
But what is it about things that we think will bring us joy? Statistics show that the more money you make does not necessarily bring increased happiness. There is a cap on that happiness. I think because of the greed that can never quite leave our hearts. There is a satisfaction that comes in having our basic needs accounted for. But once when we start to stretch above and beyond too far, we start to lose sight of the why behind it all.
So take a deep breath. Look away from the stuff in your life.
Getting caught up in what we don’t have, it’s so easy to lose sight of the simple joys we do have. Recognize those things.
I am so grateful for my life. I love my dear husband Carter. I love the little baby boy growing inside me. I have a wonderful-though-imperfect family. In a student apartment filled to capacity with regular messes and dirty dishes, we somehow find immense joy in the experiences we have. Sometimes I think more so than if we had it all handed to us.
Our joy isn’t found in the possessions we acquire. Despite always wanting more, it seems the more we have the more stress we have. The more we are distracted with those unimportant things.
So take a moment to flush out your life. Look to the simple joys you have. The things you truly own. The things that money could never take away from you.
For me it is family. My faith in God. Love. Learning. Gardening. Nature. Sunlight.
These are things that money does not buy. But they bring me such greater joy than anything I can purchase from the store.
I have a hard time letting material possessions go but I feel so much better when I do!
It’s so important to make sure your joy is connected to those deep, meaningful things instead of things that can change or be bought. I have joy every day because I find that in Christ, despite my level of fulfillment.
So true. I’ve read an article some time ago, money will make you happy till the point you can pay for your normal living expenses. A home, food, electricity and all. They even knew the exact number! When you start earning more, it doesn’t ‘help you’ get happier, not like the first x amount.
I started living more minimalistic a while ago and it gives so much peace! Just having the things you love, Marie Kondo style :)! No more stress when standing at my closet, doubting what to wear. It feels so good!
I agree it is a great feeling!
Hi Heather, I absolutely agree with you. so many of us get so caught up in what we don’t have that we can’t appreciate what is in front of us. As a new first-time mom, I have learned that things don’t matter. Time and experiences with our family are what matters.