How enjoying “the little things” can help your wallet
Today’s culture is built on “more, bigger, better.” As innovation speeds up every year, we have moved into this mindset of always buying, always replacing, always on the go. We have lost sight of what it means to enjoy the simple pleasures in life in favor of a pursuit for the latest and greatest.
This has led to major overspend in many individuals leading to financial problems like credit card debt or a lack of emergency savings. The average household carries over $8,000 in credit card debt.
Marketing strategies today are focused on keeping us in a constant state of need.
You need to upgrade your car, you need to go out to eat all the time, you need a new closet of clothes every season, you need the newest phone. Once you upgrade, you’ll finally be happy.
This is what advertisements constantly tell us. By promising us fulfillment is always just right around the corner, we are trapped in a cycle of spending. This puts a major strain on your finances, especially when you start spending beyond your means.
So, what can we do about it?
The answer is simple, but not easy. To get out of the constant chase, we need to break the cycle.
Okay, but how do we do this?
We put in the effort to essentially reset our way of thinking. There is no way of ignoring advertisements. It is everywhere now: on your social media, in your favorite TV shows (remember the New Coke product placement in Stranger Things? Or Carrie’s famous Marlboro Lights?), on every billboard, and so on.
Instead of ignoring them, we need to assess our life and find what brings true fulfillment. We aren’t saying you need to cut everything out, stop spending, and live as a minimalist with all of your possessions fitting into one suitcase. Instead, we are inviting you to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
There is no rush to do or buy anything. The next upgrade will always be there, waiting patiently for when you are ready to buy it.
By slowing down and enjoying the little things, you will be able to clearly see what you truly value in life. It may take a little while, but once you realize how contented you are with all life has to offer right now in this moment, you will be able to pick what you spend your money on more carefully.
How to enjoy the little things
Life’s simple pleasures look different for everyone. Maybe it’s growing basil so you can add fresh herbs to your pasta sauce. Maybe it’s a bouquet of flowers at the dinner table, or an afternoon in the sunshine with nowhere to be.
Finding those moments you truly enjoy can take some trial and error. We have compiled a list of things you can try to start your journey. Take some time to revel in these tiny things and you’ll find just how beautiful life can be sans the newest iPhone.
But before we even jump into the list, the first and most important step is to slow down. We are always in such a rush. The beautiful small moments in life whiz right past us without us taking notice because we are always in a hurry. We can’t enjoy our favorite coffee if we chug it as we run out the door. We can’t sing along to our favorite song in the car if we are screaming at the person in front of us for going two miles below the speed limit. So first and foremost, slow down. I promise you, there is now hurry.
So now, let’s get into it! Here is a list of some things you can do to explore all of the beautiful moments life has to offer us.
Read. What’s your favorite genre? Sci-fi? Fantasy? Young adult? Go to your nearest library, get a library card, and just start reading.
Enjoy a home-cooked meal. It doesn’t need to be some big, elaborate dish. Just make yourself a warm meal and take the time to thoroughly enjoy it.
Sit on the floor with your pets. Play with their favorite toy or give them some treats.
Have a Sunday dinner with family or friends. I’m taking this tip from the French, who will have an hours long meal every Sunday to spend time with their family.
Put on your favorite playlist and take a walk through the park. Observing the beautiful plants, people watching, and listening to great music is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Ease into your day. Brew your favorite cup of coffee or tea and sit with a magazine, book, or your journal (no phone!) and spend twenty minutes just waking up. Instagram can wait.
Pick up an old hobby. Do you have paint supplies laying in the back of your closet? Maybe you have a bag of yarn collecting dust in the attic. Pull out these hobbies and try them again. You don’t have to be good; you just have to enjoy the act of doing it.
Limit your social media use. You can’t fall victim to FOMO if you don’t see it! You are exactly where you need to be. Enjoy your life, don’t spend your precious time scrolling through others’.
Try out snail mail! When is the last time you wrote out a letter? Sit down and write a letter to a friend or family member.
Wash your sheets. There is nothing better than climbing into fresh sheets at the end of a long day.
As you start to hone in on what “the little things” means for you, you will realize just how contented you are with your life.
As it comes to pass, you will begin to find true fulfillment. You won’t be buying the latest and greatest to get a rush of dopamine anymore. Instead, you will see the areas of your life you want to improve. You will set and reach goals, travel and expand your world view, spend time with the people you love.
Hitting reset doesn’t happen overnight. You will need to consciously remind yourself to slow down and be present in the moment. You will also need to avoid making unnecessary purchases until you are able to discern what items will add to your life versus what is an impulse purchase.
Once you successfully hit the reset button, you will find yourself making fewer purchases, you will be able to save more and pay down any debt you may have, and you will be spending on things that will add to your life instead of clutter your life.