John D. Rockefeller answered to the question “How much money is enough?” with the famous statement: “Just a little bit more”.
For many, “just a little bit more” is the everyday mantra. “Just a little bit more” sleep in the morning. “Just a little bit more” meetings you could squeeze in a day. “Just a little bit more” of this TV series. “Just a little bit more” of this booze before going to bed. “Just a little bit more” doomscrolling on the mobile.
And “just a little bit more” never hurts, right?
Don’t take me wrong. I am not advocating to live life in poverty. Too many don’t have enough resources to make ends meet, or barely get through the month. Too many don’t even have the minimum to live life in dignity.
But there might be a point when you are beyond the basic necessities. Life becomes comfortable. You have a place to stay, furniture, a TV set, mobile phone, a working car. You can spend money on going out for dinner on occasion, get your favorite coffee.
From here on, it can get complicated. Our society, our cultural environment, and our economic set-up starts to manipulate you into “enough is not enough”. Look at this new house, more square footage, nicer location. That car, larger and more power. Why not having TV sets in every room? You’ll never run out of suggestions for more things to get. The average person is exposed to roughly 5,000 ads per day.
Things will make you happy, so they want you to believe. So, isn’t it logical that the pursuit of happiness is as simple as getting more stuff?
Still, happiness is not what you get. You’re stressed, worn out, anxious, sleepless, nervous … unhappy. Unsatisfied. But wait, the next thing you are going to buy surely will get you there.
No, it will not. No material thing will get you there, period. It just doesn’t work. Why? Because there will be always more you could get. “Comparison is the enemy of happiness”. And even if you were the richest individual on this planet, you will die, and none of your belongings will go with you. Friends (I mean, true friends) will not remember you for your bank statement. Family will not remember you for the great meeting you ran at work.
Discover the bit when you got enough. How do you know? When you live in the moment and enjoy what you have. Real contentment over never ending restlessness.