A few very necessary wants and the bills all taken care of, that's all I really want...
After that it's a just about growth, maintenance, a bit of luck, and the consistent practice of self-discipline.
In this modern world the amount of "options" and material we have access to are a bit too much for us to keep up with. Yet, even if it is something that manages to "trigger" the littlest parts of our tantalizing senses, then a few of us are just doomed for; the credit for all of that goes to our minuscule efforts towards self-awareness, self-mastery.
I really don't know why it is so important for some people to keep up with trends; having the new iPhone in hand every year, the latest PC components, a serious shopping spree every other month and so on.
How much will a new iPhone really improve your life and help with the ways of your lifestyle? Will that new PC part give you twice the performance and help with productivity? Is it even a compatible upgrade for your current PC build? Those new clothes you got, how many times will you wear them before even those get replaced by a pile of newly shopped clothes?
We put ourselves through so much just to stay ahead in a race that doesn't even exist, the race we call life, it simply doesn't exist, it's all made up in our heads.
It's funny how we grind our asses off these days just so that we can get the things we want, but in the end most of those "wants" aren't even put to use. Why not take it easy for a bit? Keep it balanced and work on tackling your needs, and every now and then invest in something that actually means a lot to you, a hobby or interest of some sorts.
If I talk about myself, then I'd say that I'm an adaptive individual, someone who has the ability to adapt to any circumstance.
The quote "I've been a rich man and I've been a poor man" goes quite well with me and my life.
I've had it all whenever I wanted it, and I've even struggled to maintain my needs and necessities at one point, but if given the chance/option, then I probably won't choose to be "rich every f__cking time", I'd rather choose to be someone who quite effortlessly gets by. I've always liked to be low-key, my dreams are measured, calculated; I don't like to dream that big, or maybe I do, a tad bit, but I guess I'm just good at ignoring it.
Even as a kid, the newest and most expensive toys never really caught my eye; coming home and turning on the TV and getting to watch my favorite cartoons after school did the job quite well. Sometimes going towards the open grounds for a little football or cricket with my younger brothers and the neighborhood kids would seem like a better option. A big ole CRT monitor and Intel Pentium Computer with a few classic old-gen videogames would be more than enough for me as well.
The latest and greatest never really mattered.
But the drastic change of mindset came when I really started taking care of myself physically, it was like a mental upgrade that I wasn't expecting, which came in free with the very physical activities.
After I healed up from a life threatening disease back in 2016 I joined a little gym in one of the cheaper parts of the city, even though I could've managed to get into a better gym, I still decided to stick with the cheaper option.
A few rusty weights and a decent few machines were enough to keep me busy with pumping iron. As I got fitter and maintained a very consistent and simple diet, I realized that this was all a person really needs. A fit body, a calm mind, your loved ones around you, and a gig that you can tolerate, one that is enough put a roof over your head and food on the table.
The little things have always mattered more to me, because these little things aren't as little when combined together; I'd say even these things, moments, hold the magic of compounding.
Getting stuck in the loop of always upgrading your lifestyle and acquiring materialistic things can become dangerous collecting/grabbing game. There's always a limit when it comes to such things, it's up to you to recognize and set that limit, and it all starts with the practice of self-examination.
self-mastery is key.
Yes, even material can serve a few purposes in our very indefinite life, but you have to keep a leash on it.
Rather than seeking refuge under a flashy and extravagant lifestyle, we should invest our time in the everlasting aspects of life; starting with family, friends, having memories worth cherishing, an effort once made, a hand reaching out to help.
What is worth doing?
"Finding truth, creating wealth, staying fit, self-examination, and giving love" - Naval