40
submitted 1 year ago by inasaba@lemmy.ml to c/simpleliving@lemmy.ml
top 7 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] azimir@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

This is a timely article. I have been pondering this very topic for a while. What leads some people to attempting to endlessly accumulate more, bigger, and costlier things? I don't have much desire for expensive items, nor filling my home with junk (it still gets too much), but when meeting others they're often continually desiring new things. A new car, a bigger boat, a new stereo system, a larger house with more whirligigs.

When does it stop and how do people reach a place of contentment?

I like having systems and resources that are sufficient, not endlessly bigger. I have no idea why I'm this way, but my neighbors seem to have an ever burning desire for a truck that's bigger with more dashboard features.

[-] inasaba@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago

It's known as the "Hedonic Treadmill," and I have posted about it here. People get a small rush when they acquire something new, and mistakenly believe that larger/better acquisitions will result in better/longer good feelings. Really, it's the novelty of the thing that makes us feel that way, and novelty inevitably fades. The thing is, many people never realize this and end up chasing that feeling for their entire lives, hence: eternally walking on the Hedonic Treadmill that takes them nowhere.

Some people are less susceptible to this than others. If you don't have a particularly addictive personality, or if you are not in the fog of consumerism as a positive thing, you will probably not struggle with this as much as someone who has one or both of those traits.

[-] azimir@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 year ago

Hedonic Treadmill is a great term for it. Thank you for passing that along.

I definitely know the feeling.

It would also make a great band name.

[-] azimir@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Hedonic Treadmill is a great term for it. Thank you for passing that along.

I definitely know the feeling.

It would also make a great band name.

[-] teft@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

They’re trying to fill a hole in their life with things. It doesn’t work so it will never end. It’s the reason we have billionaires.

[-] BoozeOrWater@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago
[-] inasaba@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 year ago

My pleasure! I'm just continuing to repost some of my favourite articles from over the years on Reddit. :)

this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
40 points (100.0% liked)

Simple Living

2158 readers
1 users here now

Live better, with less

Ideas and inspiration for living more simply. A place to share tips on living with less stuff, work, speed, or stress in return for gaining more freedom, time, self-reliance, and joy.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS