I have this there where I like getting new things. I mean that in every way, just brand new items, fresh out of the box. Going for new experiences not so much, but items and objects that are new are definitely up my alley.
At the same time, I really like things that are ages old. Like it took me years to throw away my math text books from my secondary school days (14-16 years old). I keep and collect things that can’t be found anymore, because I just like the rarity of things.
But when it comes to having more things, sometimes I have to ask myself, do I really need it? What’s wrong with what I have right now, and am I content with these things?
All the minimalism stories on YouTube would explain these things in much better ways, but I would suggest somewhat of an alternative.
No I am not content.
I don’t think anyone will ever be. There’s something about humanity and about humans, and we want to do things, make things, have things. I remember when I was getting into mechanical keyboards, there were nights where all I heard were the sounds of typing and switches being activated. In branding, marketing, advertising, the whole premise is to help other companies get more and more. Influencers are telling us that the lifestyles they have are achievable if we try this and that.
So why bother pretending that we’re ok with what we have, when actually sometimes we’re not even content with how content we are?
It’s a fine line of being a complete neophile (person who loves new things, not dead people), and the other end to be a hoarder stuck in the past. But even the hoarder is not content, that’s the whole point of why they hoard. They don’t think they’ll ever have enough, and so they keep as much as possible.
I am ok to admit that I’m not content, because honestly there’s a lot of things that I want more of, or that I’m looking forward to. Sometimes these things are improvements, sometimes they are alternatives.
But I can be happy with or without what I have
I’m not ungrateful for the opportunities and the things that I’ve received. I’ve lived a great life so far, from all my sharing and comparison with friends. I’ve definitely been blessed beyond measure, and I would attribute that to God. These items or these new things that I’m looking for, they are just a small part of life.
I don’t think having things are key to my happiness, and I think contentedness is also not linked to happiness. It could affect it a bit, but it’s not the basis of my happiness for sure. I would say contentedness affects my willpower, or my drive for what I want.
Some of these thoughts were from the Vietnam trip for sure, seeing the distinct old and new. I observed this want for new things, and the keeping of old at the same time. It made the city look haphazard almost, but still producing a local charm. I do think most of us would be able to find a similar personal charm while balancing our wants and needs. But I do think we lose it when we try to live our lives to some inhumane standard of life that no one really can live by. Some idealistic worldview that produces a non-consumer; but in essence, we’re definitely consumers as humans. Might as well embrace that part of us, and learn the other parts of ourselves too.