The route to happiness isn’t having more, it’s having less. It’s true, real wealth means less not more. We live in a consumerist society that tells us that the more we have and the more choices we have the happier we will be. This isn’t the case. Just read the book – “The Paradox of choice” by Barry Schwartz to see how too much choice can make us miserable. It leads to a sense of missing out and constant comparisons.
Research has shown time and time again that what makes us truly happy is a feeling of connection with others as well as a sense of purpose. Sitting in a large mansion certanly has its perks but when it comes to happiness quotient, take my word for it, it’s not all it;s cracked up to be.
Apparently, we only need enough money to live well – that is, eat, have shelter, buy most of the basics we need, to be happy. People who end up with more don’t have a rise on happiness. Having too little money is obviously a cause of misery but it isn’t true that the more money you have the happier you will be.
“The lower a person’s annual income falls below that benchmark, the unhappier he or she feels. But no matter how much more than $75,000 (approx GBP58,000) people make, they don’t report any greater degree of happiness,” Time reported in 2010, citing a study from Princeton University conducted by economist Angus Deaton and psychologist Daniel Kahneman.
The other crucial factor is your thinking. Some people are just bitter pessimists and they will probably be unahppy no matter what happens to them in life. Be an optimist, take pleasure in the little things. Keep life simple and don’t complicate your life with too much clutter.
Less is definitely more and a good attitude to life. Always keep asking yourself: What is good in my life? What am I appreciative of. You’ll be a lot happier for it.
Mandy X
References:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/20/how-much-money-you-need-to-be-happy-according-to-wealth-experts.html
Photo by Tax Credits 
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.
