A “Goods” Life Is A Bad One: Why Not Being Material Is The Best Way Forward

Collaborative Post

Nowadays, there is a major overemphasis on the importance of goods. For example, every single one of us has a mobile phone. And while technology has its supporters and detractors, the idea of having no material goods may sound quite extreme, but instead, it's far better for you to not have a material frame of mind. So, why is not being material the best way forward, and what is the best way to rid yourself of these physical shackles?

Examine What You Really Need

Look at everything you own. For example, the car is an essential piece of machinery for a lot of people. But as cars are linked to too many pedestrian deaths, is owning a car better than taking public transport? Sure, we all rely on our car to get us from point A to point B, but is it something that you actually need in life? The same goes for every other item you own. Ultimately, you need to ask yourself if you are better off having this item in your life.

The Desire To Get More

Once you have a bunch of goods, does it make you feel fulfilled, or does it increase your desire for more and more items? Ultimately, we know deep down that an abundance of goods isn't going to fill the gap in our lives, but once we get a certain amount of items, and we get bored, we look for the next thing.

Being Minimalist As A Lifestyle Choice

This is the way of thinking for many people nowadays. They realize that these goods aren't necessarily beneficial in the grand scheme of things. But being minimalist isn't just about getting rid of your worldly possessions; it's about a frame of mind. And when you dig deeper into it, the very act of being without goods is great for the mind. It is a difficult thing to come to terms with, but looking at ancient philosophical approaches, like the Stoics, being minimalist, or living off the very basics in life is beneficial for your perspective. Not only this, but it helps create a mental resilience. Did you ever look back at times when you would do it for, and realize that you were happier back then? You're not the only one.

Ultimately, you need to look at what you have in your day-to-day life. Living a positive life isn't just about filling it with goods and money; it's about that feeling of completeness. When you boil it down to the basics, family and friendship are two things that are completely immaterial, so why are we just distracting ourselves with so much social media? But ultimately it's down to you. You need to look at your overall lifestyle and look at what really is necessary. Once you begin to peel away the onion, you may be pleasantly surprised as to how little you really need in life. Is what you have really necessary? Or is it just another one of those material life distractions?

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