I want to help flip a switch in your mind that helps you grow and makes you a happier person.
I want you to see something differently.
I want you to feel a shift that will change your life.
I want. I want. I want…
Ever notice how we’re always wanting something? More money. More success. More time. More stuff. More, more, more. It’s like we’re all stuck on a treadmill where the speed keeps increasing and the finish line never appears.
Today, you guessed it, we’re talking about why wanting less can actually make you happier.
That’s not to say you’re never supposed to work hard for something. It’s human nature to want. But when wanting turns into never enough, that’s when it steals your peace.
The goal is not to stop wanting altogether but to recognize when the chase is costing you more than it’s giving you.
Breaking Away From Wanting More
Most people assume happiness comes from getting more. But science, and real life, tell us something different. The constant pursuit of more doesn’t lead to lasting joy. In fact, it does the opposite.
Have you ever bought that thing you really wanted, only to feel underwhelmed a week later? That’s because your brain is wired to chase, not to enjoy. The dopamine hit of “getting” fades fast, leaving you looking for the next high.
True happiness isn’t about accumulation. It’s about clarity. It’s knowing what actually matters and letting go of what doesn’t.
Here are five shifts to help you want less and actually enjoy more.
- Declutter Your Mental Wishlist
It’s not just your home that gets cluttered, your mind does too. Every day, you’re bombarded with messages on TV, social media, and conversations with friends, coworkers, and even strangers about what you should want. A bigger house. A more stylish wardrobe. A fancier job title. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you really want those things, or if you’ve just been told you should?
Take a minute to really think about your goals and desires. Which ones genuinely light you up and which ones feel more like societal obligations? If what you think you want doesn’t align with what truly makes you happy, it’s time to let it go.
- Stop Moving the Finish Line
Have you ever noticed that no matter what milestone you hit, there’s always another one taunting you to keep pushing? You lost 10 pounds, and now 15 sounds even more impressive. You make six figures, and now seven is the new goal. You finally get that dream job, and now you’re looking for the next promotion. It’s a never-ending cycle. Why? Because the finish line isn’t real, it’s just something your brain keeps moving forward.
Instead of constantly moving the goalpost, take a moment to pause. Acknowledge and celebrate what you’ve already achieved. Let yourself feel satisfied instead of immediately jumping to the next thing. If you’re constantly wanting more, you’re living for tomorrow instead of being fully present today.
- Detach Self-Worth from Achievements
A lot of us tie our happiness to accomplishments. You might think that when you’re higher up the company ladder, then you’ll be happy. Or if you had a nicer car like all your colleagues have, then you’d look more successful and be taken seriously. But the truth is, you don’t become more worthy by achieving more or getting more. You were already enough before you checked off any goals.
Redefine success on your own terms. Not society’s. Not what your parents said. Not what you see on social media. The less you attach your worth to external achievements, the more peace you’ll feel in the present. And the more at peace you are with yourself, the easier it becomes to let go of the wants that never truly mattered.
- Focus on Depth, Not Width
Instead of spreading yourself thin trying to experience everything, go deeper with what actually matters. A few meaningful friendships are more fulfilling than a hundred shallow acquaintances online. Truly investing in those relationships strengthens your sense of connection and belonging. Mastering a handful of skills brings more satisfaction than chasing endless new hobbies that never stick.
Happiness isn’t having it all. It’s cherishing what’s already there and fully appreciating the value it brings.
- Recognize How Consumerism Anchors
Modern marketing has perfected the art of making you want things you never even considered before. Companies spend billions hiring expert marketers who understand the psychology of desire. There are even university degrees focused entirely on consumer psychology. It’s fascinating stuff. In another email, I’ll share ways to protect yourself from the sneaky tactics designed to make you want what you don’t need.
One of the biggest traps of over-consumerism is that it convinces you that happiness is just one more purchase away. But every time you buy something unnecessary, you’re not just spending money, you’re anchoring yourself. More possessions mean more clutter, more upkeep, more storage, and more weight tying you to a lifestyle of always needing more.
The documentary Buy Now sheds light on how fast fashion and mass consumption manipulate our emotions. Companies create artificial trends and pump out cheap products, knowing they’ll quickly fall apart or go out of style, forcing you to buy again. It’s a never-ending cycle designed to keep you hooked on wanting more.
And it’s not just your closet that suffers. The constant chase for the next “must-have” item feeds a mindset of scarcity, making you feel like you are always missing something. But the truth is, the less you need, the freer you become.
Instead of impulse-buying for that quick dopamine rush, pause. Ask yourself if what you want is going to add value to your life, or if you’re being sold the illusion of happiness. The more intentional you become with your spending, the less you’ll feel controlled by the endless cycle of consumption.
So, what’s the takeaway here?
When you want less, you actually make room for more of what matters. More peace, more joy, and more freedom from the endless chase.
Which brings us to this week’s challenge. This is going to be a fun one.
Action Step
This week I’d like you to become more aware of how many times throughout the day you tell yourself you want something. Each time you do, you’re reinforcing a mindset of lack, focusing on what’s missing rather than what’s already present.
I’d also like you to try a fun challenge that can help you see how much material clutter is taking up space in your life.
1- Track Your Wants with Awareness
Each time you catch yourself saying, “I want”, write it down. It could be material items, career goals, or life desires. At the end of the day, review your list, and next to each thing you want, write three reasons why you want it. This will help you recognize patterns and distinguish between genuine needs and fleeting impulses. The goal isn’t to shame yourself for wanting things. It’s to bring clarity to what truly matters.
2- Shift from Wanting to Appreciating
For each item on your list, challenge yourself to reframe it into gratitude. Instead of “I want a bigger house”, shift to, “I’m grateful for the home I have and how it makes me feel safe.” Instead of “I want to be more successful”, shift to, “I’m proud of the progress I’ve already made.” This simple mindset shift helps train your brain to focus on abundance rather than lack.
3- Release the Anchors
Let’s lighten your physical space to match your mental shift. Start by letting go of one item on day one. On day two, let go of two things. On day three, purge four things. Keep doubling the number each day for a week, or push yourself to make it a 30-day challenge. It doesn’t have to start big. Start with a pen cap on day one if you want.
Each time you get rid of something, either by throwing it away or putting it in your donation pile, tell yourself you’re releasing yourself of that anchor. You’re letting go of that thing that’s taking up space that doesn’t need to be there.
By the end of the week (or 30 days if you’re brave!), not only will your space feel lighter, but you’ll also be forced to confront how much you’ve accumulated. The very things you once wanted and spent money on are now just taking up space at the back of a drawer or closet.
This challenge is about more than just decluttering. By recognizing how much you’re letting go, you’ll become more mindful of what you bring in.
Now, I’m not asking you to be a total minimalist here.
It’s ok to want, just try to be more intentional about what you want and consider the real impact it will have on your life.
Will what you want lift you up, or anchor you down?
Wanting less doesn’t mean settling for less. It means making space for more of what actually makes you happy.
And that’s all I hope for you.
I want you to find more joy in where you are now so you can stop chasing all the things you don’t have.
Mary Ellen Edmunds, author and public speaker, said it best…
Wanting less is a far better blessing than having more.
