I am seeing more clients than ever before who are keen to simplify their lives. Some are taking pay cuts in order to spend more time doing things they love as well as to spend more time with their family and friends.
There is definitely a trend in this direction. People are waking up to the fact that there is more to life than working their guts out at the office whilst filling the pockets of their employers.
It really is the ‘rat race’ and capitalism encourages this work ethic where the few get rich and the masses get weary.
We have been conned into thinking that the more stuff we have, the happier we’ll be. This is nonsense. Now, I’m not denying that money does give you more freedom and choice but I have seen what happens to the very wealthy. They become desensitized to the simple pleasures and need more and more to achieve the same level of satisfaction. It’s a vicious cycle.
I have noticed that people who aren’t wealthy have this unrealistic idea that wealthy people are continuously happy but this isn’t the case. Many of them (and I know because I have a few very wealthy clients) feel empty and directionless. There is less purpose in their lives when they have all the money they could possibly want. Some even become anxious as they constantly worry they will lose their fortunes.
I have learned that there is good and bad to every situation. So whichever situation you are in, look for the positives. You can’t take your possessions with you at the end of your life and research has shown that true happiness comes from having a sense of purpose and feeling connected to others.
This is what living is really about….
M x
PS..for an uplifting story about happiness at it’s most basic level – read: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl…******Highly recommended ******
All names have been changed to protect the identity of clients. Personal client stories shared in this blog have been published with prior permission from the relevant clients.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
