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5 Steps To Satisfaction:

One of the best compliments I have ever received came from a friend's question, “You’re a minimalist. Aren't you?”.


I was so happy she’d taken notice of my intentional “less is more” choice in decorating the room and quickly responded with a surprised “Yes!”


For years, I’ve attempted to purchase or invest only in things that add value to my sense of identity and self rather than spend time or money on things I feel “I must have” in order to please someone else, or even worse, think I “need” to be happier or get better at something.


But with that introductory statement made, I should confess how I decorate my room does not always match my behavior.


Just a bit ago, I was kindly gifted a new accessory and immediately thought, “Oh, how nice! … This needs a ring to go with it.”


It hadn't even been 5 MINUTES, and I was already thinking about what was missing.


I realized I needed a refresher on satisfaction: A little bit of help in overcoming a greedy nature and combating the Diderot Effect.



Named after Denis Diderot, the man who first wrote of this phenomenon after it nearly brought him to bankruptcy, it can be most simply understood as follows:


“the introduction of a new possession into a consumer’s existence will often result in a process of spiraling consumption.” (as defined by Joshua Becker, author and Minimalist himself, in Forbes)


We all are familiar with this trend in one way or another. That need to be upgraded to premium, or buy the add-on.


Joshua Fields Millburn, a pioneer of Minimalism’s philosophy, shares this downward spiral well in his commentary on stuff and happiness. He shares how “Obviously,” a new house or apartment calls for new furniture, a new phone needs a new case, and a new jacked “must” comes with new shoes (so on and so forth with the “more, more, more.”)


But it’s never enough, is it?  No matter how much we promise ourselves the next thing will be the last, it usually isn’t; at least it's so for those of us attempting to implement healthy limits.


In researching for this article, I found the simple 5-step framework the aforementioned Joshua Becker provides when considering these decisions and thought it a great place to start regarding our self-assessments.


He writes that to best combat the downward spiral of consumption, we should:


  1. Become aware it is happening. 

  2. Analyze and predict the full cost of future purchases.

  3. Avoid unnecessary new purchases. 

  4. Remind yourself that possessions do not define you.

  5. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.


Yes, it’s that simple. Most times, contentment is a decision, not a status.


Keeping up with appearances or one-upping the Joneses is tiresome and unfulfilling, but working towards an unburdened conscience leads to a lighter load in all areas of life.


When you are freed up to work on what matters and direct your other freed-up resources, you will begin to see how they compound on one another and work together to yield more.


—


No matter how much I firmly believe in the Minalmist approach, I still, at times, fall prey to the “it's never enough”, fast-mindset and overconsumption agenda consumerism pushes.


Over time, I have found this framework to be of great assistance in providing perspective and budgeting for the things that matter. 


This week, remember the Diderot Effect can be combatted against, and take a moment to position your time and monetary investment decisions against the provided framework.


Work to be free and satisfied, not to pay off credit cards and favors.


- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta



Post Script:

If you are interested in the Minimalist's Work, check out the Free Netflix Documentary on YouTube here: The MINIMALISM: Official Netflix Documentary


(I find myself rewatching the documentary that opened my eyes to philosophy on a yearly basis.) 


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