Ever find yourself wondering how to be content with what you have? Imagine this: there you are, enjoying a happy Saturday at home. You just decluttered a closet, and you’re feeling pretty good about the weekend. You decide to check Instagram to see what your friends are up to.
When you open the app, you find that one of your acquaintances just took a vacation to Hawaii. Suddenly, your Saturday at home doesn’t seem so great. In fact, you feel like your day was pretty lame.
Many things in our lives make contentment a challenge. Being content with what you have may seem impossible with all the advertisements and comparison that comes our way. But it isn’t. So, let’s talk about contentment. What makes it difficult, why you want it, and how it can make your life way better.
What makes being content with what you have difficult?
Being content is pretty much a matter of being happy with your life the way it is. But this isn’t easy. Why? Many influences make it easier to envy what someone else has or to want things you perceive as being important, whether they are or not.
This can come in the form of social media, society, marketing and ads, and comparison. All of these have the power to make you lose your joy and peace and live without contentment.
If there’s one thing that makes envy and discontentment way more likely, it’s social media. Seeing photos of others’ (seemingly) perfect lives, latest purchases, or parties is an easy way to feel like your own life should be better somehow.
The thing is, these people probably aren’t all that content with their lives, either. And once you realize that everyone experiences this feeling, it can be easier not to let it get to you.
Society
You know all those unspoken rules we all observe? It may come in the form of overworking based on how much others work, comparing salaries, or comparing our family or home to someone else’s. There are other things, too.
Eating at restaurants that are considered cool, wearing only what’s deemed fashionable, being aware of whether you live in a trendy neighborhood or not — that’s pressure from society.
To be content with what you have, it’s important to let go of society’s expectations. This means not letting others dictate where you work, your fashion sense, where you live, or anything else that is your choice.
Ads and marketing
Ads and marketing are more targeted than ever. And if advertisers think they can get you to buy something by making you discontent, they’re going to try.
While marketing isn’t necessarily bad, remember the goal is not to help you but to make money for the company that is selling something. Don’t let yourself feel like your life isn’t complete without whatever item is being sold.
Comparison
Comparing ourselves to others has gotten way out of hand. This happens when we want our lives to look like someone else’s or want something they have.
While it can be tough to see your friends or people on social media who have things that you want for yourself, it won’t do any good not to be content with what you have. And it can impact your life pretty negatively.
Sometimes comparison and discontentment are pretty tough to avoid. Why should you actively choose to be content with what you have instead of trying to always have the best of everything? A few reasons, actually.
While we may not actively recognize discontentment when it’s happening to us, we can definitely see the effects. Check out these reasons to avoid the comparison game.
Comparison is the worst
Comparison really is the worst. Why? Because it will never be enough. No matter what you buy, where you travel, or where you live, there will always be someone who has something else that you want.
Trying to fill your life with everything others have is exhausting. Not to mention, if you took some time to think about it, you might discover that you don’t even want the things that someone else has. So to recap, comparison is a no-win game and tiring.
Comparison is an illusion
Comparison is not even a real thing. Think about it: you want something, so you go buy it. After a few days or weeks, you probably hardly notice that you have that item anymore, right? You’re on to the next thing. You don’t feel better or like your life has improved. So it’s kind of an endless and pointless chase toward nothing.
It also keeps you constantly striving for more, without finding any real joy or satisfaction. But the good news is you can be happy and find purpose without constantly trying to buy or have the best of everything.
You’ll be happier
Guess what you have if you aren’t discontent? Peace. You can enjoy what you have without the constant need to acquire more. That will help you breathe easier, and you’ll likely be a lot happier. Which is what we’re all really after, right?
Still need convincing? Jacqueline Pearce, MSEd, LMHC, of Good Therapy, explains that contentment makes you happier because you are free to enjoy the moment. Plus, you can make your relationships more solid.
12 Ways to be content with what you have
Now that we’ve established that comparison doesn’t do any good, let’s find ways to break the habit. It can be challenging, but with some habit changes, it’s possible to be content with what you have and not want to have the life or items that someone else has or owns.
We’d recommend trying out a couple of these techniques to find something that helps you break any unhealthy patterns. You don’t have to do all of these, but you can if you want! Here are some ways to start being content with what you have.
It’s a favorite for a reason. Free from social media, it’s more challenging to even know what you don’t have or what you could be missing. And after a short time, you might not even care!
Pick a set day and time to stay away from social media to do a social media detox. Delete apps from your phone, and vow to not check social media on your computer.
Do this for a day, a weekend, or even a whole week. You might notice a lot more contentment after you get this comparison trap out of your life for a while.
You can also replace social media with other healthier habits, like spending time with friends, reading, or practicing a hobby. Make good use of the time you have!
2. Try a no-spend challenge
This one is fun because it will teach you how to be content with what you have and accomplish some savings goals! Decide not to spend money for a set amount of time.
A popular time frame is a month or a week, but you can pick whatever you want. Sometimes when you know you aren’t going to buy things, the temptation not to be content can go away, at least some of the time.
3. Write thankfulness notes to yourself
Write notes or letters to read later about things you’re thankful for. Include people you appreciate, what you like about your life and what you’re grateful to have. This helps you remember everything you already have and can help you be content with what you have.
Place these notes around your home, in a notebook you use frequently, or as sticky notes on your computer. These reminders will bring you right back whenever you feel like your attitude is moving towards discontentment.
4. Declutter your life
Sometimes realizing how much stuff we already own can help with contentment. When we declutter and get rid of things, the last thing we want to do is add more stuff to an already crowded space. This can do a lot for your contentment level by making you appreciate all the items you own.
Start with a part of your home that stresses you out, like kitchen cupboards or closets. Or a whole room if you’re feeling ambitious! Then move on to something else when you think you’ve organized and decluttered the space enough.
5. Make use of what you have
Next time you want something new, think of things you already have that are similar or look for ways to use what you have instead of buying more. For example, maybe you want a new dining table, but the one you have would look brand new with a coat of paint.
Or you can’t afford a vacation, but you can spend next weekend having a staycation at home. Use what you’ve got and learn to appreciate creativity.
Plus, you may find that the joy, time with family, or peaceful atmosphere you were searching for isn’t something that can be bought. It’s something you already have access to. Using some creativity and thought, you can make use of what you have and be just as happy as anyone else.
6. Tell family and friends you appreciate them
Tell people you care! Take the time to tell each person individually that you appreciate them and are thankful that they’re in your life.
Find ways to enjoy the present instead of missing out on good memories and moments with loved ones due to discontentment. Watch a movie, go to the park, or just have fun being with the people you care about.
7. Save for the future instead of spending
Discontentment can lead to overspending on items we don’t need or even truly want. Instead of wasting that cash, save up for something in the future that you really care about. Emergency funds, retirement savings, or even something fun like a weekend trip or a handbag are great places to start.
The point is that you begin to think about what you’ll want in the future instead of just what you want right now. To save, try using a glass jar to fill with money if you want to be old school about it.
Or set up a savings account for the specific purpose you decide. Commit to a certain amount to save each month or save whenever you start to feel discontent. Whatever works better for you.
8. Create a capsule wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is full of simple items that all go together. Use only clothing items you already have and primarily neutral colors that will easily match. Then spend some time figuring out outfits. Making a capsule wardrobe will do a lot to teach you how to be content with what you have.
Having a capsule wardrobe will keep you from feeling like you need to buy every new trend that comes out. You won’t feel like you need to purchase something constantly, especially if you choose flattering outfit combinations.
9. Change your dialogue
If you want to practice being content with what you have, notice the words you say. Discontent phrases are usually things like, «I wish I had,» or «once I get the (promotion, house, car).» Having goals is good, but discontent talk will only make you unhappy. Learn to differentiate between the two.
Use positive, content language instead. Phrases like «I’m happy for that person» or «I’m grateful for» are good places to start. And you can still talk about your goals while staying content. It’s okay to say, «Next year I hope to move to (city),» or «I’m working hard to get a promotion,» and still be happy about where you are.
10. Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way how to be content with what you have! This will help you think about others instead of yourself and what you don’t have. Plus, it can remind you that some people are content with very little and are still happy.
According to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Lawrence Robinson of Help Guide, volunteering helps you to be more connected and can help you be mentally healthy as well as physically.
To volunteer, find a cause you care about and find a way to get involved. This might mean working at an animal shelter, delivering meals to the elderly, or helping out at a homeless shelter. Find a way to contribute, and see how quickly you start to be content.
11. Make it a habit to compliment others
Rather than wishing for what someone else has, be happy for them. Compliment people on their hairstyle, excellent grade on a paper, or their beautifully styled home. People will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and it will make you feel better, too.
This also helps you be excited about others’ accomplishments without wishing for your life to be exactly like theirs. Sarah DiGiulio of NBC News states that it’s important to give compliments that are honest and to make it a habit to do so often.
12. Think about what you actually want, not what others want or have
Have you paused to think about what you actually want? Sometimes social media and society try to tell you what you want without you ever deciding anything. To avoid this, next time you feel envious, ask yourself why. Do you actually want what that person has?
For example, maybe you feel discontent when you see one of your friends has a bigger and fancier house than you. But pause for a moment, and you may discover you don’t really want to clean or decorate a home that large, anyway. That means you can be content with what you have.
Once you realize what you don’t want, you can decide what you do want, free of influence from others. Whether your dream is starting a business, completing your master’s degree, or visiting every country, you can begin working towards your own goals. When you know what you want, focus your efforts on that, and ignore what others buy or do.
Life will become better when you can be content with what you have
Living and enjoying your own life is absolutely the best way to get rid of envy and discontentment for good. You’ll feel so much better, appreciate more, grumble less, and may have a better outlook on everything.
Be content with what you have and use these techniques to help you get there. You may be surprised by how quickly comparison disappears when you’re busy enjoying your own life!
Contentment is not simply about settling for what we have, but trusting in what God has said. Both anxiety and greed rise in our hearts as God’s words fall.
When the author of Hebrews wanted to teach his readers about contentment, he told them an old story with a familiar refrain. He quieted their fears and quenched their greed by reminding them what God had said. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Which prompted Charles Spurgeon to ask,
Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death, will not the internal corruptions and the external snares, will not the trials from above and the temptations from beneath all seem but light afflictions when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of “he has said”?
The seed of unnecessary fear in the heart of a Christian is forgetfulness — an inability to remember and trust what the God of the universe has said and done. No one has ever had any grounds to accuse God of not following through on his word. Not even one phrase in any sentence in any statement he has ever made has failed (Joshua 21:45).
We will only be truly content with what we have when we know that we have him. And we will remember that we have him when we hear and believe his voice.
God Has Said
When God said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” he was speaking to Joshua before little Israel went up to take the whole land of Canaan by force. A nation of nomads was about to invade a land filled with enemies bigger and stronger than themselves. Not one army, but many (Joshua 3:10) — and not our turf, but theirs. Israel’s only confidence was that God had told them to go. He had said.
What did he say? The foreign land you are about to enter is already yours (Joshua 1:3). No enemy, no matter how many or how strong, will be able to defeat you (Joshua 1:5). And most promising of all: “I will not leave you or forsake you.”
‘I Will Never Leave You’
“Both anxiety and greed rise in our hearts as God’s words fall.”
This great promise will fall flat if we think mainly in terms of geography and not fidelity. Of course God will never leave us because he’s everywhere all the time. “If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalms 139:8). But we see God’s fidelity in the very next verse, “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me” (Psalms 139:9–10). If you are his, he will not leave you; he will lead and protect you.
When Joshua stared out into impossible circumstances and enormous opposition, God said,
“I will not leave you or forsake you. . . . Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:5, 9)
When the author of Hebrews saw what followers of Jesus would face, and how they would be tempted to wander, he went back to those same words (the only time this promise is quoted in the New Testament), “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
You will never be alone. No matter how desperate and alone you feel, no matter how much opposition you face, no matter how precarious your circumstances become, he has said, I will be with you. His presence can calm any fear — if we don’t forget that he’s there, he’s near, and he’s attentive.
What You Don’t Have
The author of Hebrews, however, wasn’t warning about Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. His readers, who were Jewish converts, were facing intense persecution, but from within their own nation — from their own communities, even their own families. And as the scorching friendly fire fell, an even more threatening enemy emerged within their hearts: their own cravings and desires.
He says, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). When Western Christians today read, “Be content with what you have,” we might assume the Christian has enough. We may hear, “Don’t long for more than you need.” But many of these young converts were being thrown out of their families, cut off from all provision and protection. To follow Jesus was to embrace abandonment and accept poverty. So, many of them were being called to be content with what they did not have.
“The seed of unnecessary fear in the heart of a Christian is forgetfulness.”
Discontentment suddenly doesn’t seem so unreasonable. Some of them went without food — for Christ. Some of them had only the clothes on their back — for Christ. Some of them lost their homes — for Christ. Some of them “joyfully accepted the plundering of [their] property, since [they] knew that [they themselves] had a better possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:34).
If they could be content with what they had, and didn’t have, how can we not learn to be content with what we have?
Grace Enough
Be content with what you have. Are there six more terrifying words in a culture like ours? They certainly land on me like six sharp cannon blasts. Don’t let your heart endlessly pine for what you might have one day, but cultivate satisfaction in what God has given you for today.
The word for content is the same word in 2 Corinthians 12:9, when Jesus says to the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul responds, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
Paul’s message is not like so many contentment gospels: If the Lord gives you less, make lemonade. Rather, he says, If Christ gives you less, boast in your less, because you get to see more of him in your less. His grace is sufficient to cover any deficiency in us. If God is that big, and grace that sweet, then we are able to say what the vast majority cannot say: “If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:8).
We will not be simply appeased, but pleased, because our deepest joy does not rise and fall with what we have (Philippians 4:11).
How Silver Kills a Man
If we want to be content with what we have, however, we have to be free from the love of money. As Paul warns, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:10). And through this craving, many have forfeited contentment and forgotten what God has said. Intimacy with God loses its value as we fall deeper in love with our currency (and all it buys for us).
“We will only be truly content with what we have when we know that we have him.”
If we keep flirting with money, we will make ourselves sons of Judas, who traded God himself for thirty pitiful pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). But even before he died, Judas knew he had been had (Matthew 27:3). He had grossly overestimated money and misjudged the love that no amount of silver could buy: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Could he not see how murderously unhappy the Pharisees were (Luke 16:14)? Still he couldn’t shake his cravings for more, even if they cost him everything. If we could feel the horrible realization he felt after trading Jesus away for money, would we not race to give away every possession necessary to have God? Would we not gladly have however little in this life to gain him in the next and forever?
Content and Courageous
What does contentment sound like? True contentment does not sound cheap, shy, or docile because it often requires profound strength and lionhearted courage. Hebrews continues, “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6). As he looks out on this small army of Jesus-followers, facing want and need and worse, he turns from Joshua 1 to Psalm 118, which goes on to say,
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. (Psalm 118:8–9)
Courage ties Psalm 118 to the promise from Joshua 1 because God says to Joshua three times, “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6–7, 9). And before Joshua heard those four words, Moses had said to him, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
When you are tempted to worry about how much you have, set your mind on what he has said. If the true God is your God, he goes with you. He knows what you need (Matthew 6:32). And knowing all you need, and all you will face, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Therefore, we can be courageous wherever his hand leads us, flee the shiny promises of silver, and rejoice in what we have. Most of all, we can rejoice that we have him.
ITAW for being content with what you have and not wanting more?
For example, a person who has enough money to buy a mansion, but prefers to stay in a regular apartment and not waste money on superfluous comforts.
Want to be content with what you have in life? In reality, we might believe we are content, we are grateful – but are we truly?
When it comes down to it, feeling content can sometimes take practice.
This is especially the case if you’ve been having a hard time or if you’re moving through life so quickly that you forget to take a step back and appreciate what you have today.
Doesn’t this mean you don’t have goals or you don’t want to experience new things?
Absolutely not.
You can be content with what you have (ie. the things in your life) but this doesn’t mean you can’t have dreams and grow in meaningful ways.
What this does mean is you can appreciate what you have in life right now. If you can’t appreciate what you currently have, you’ll never appreciate having more.
What is Contentment?
What does contentment mean anyway?
The dictionary definition is the state of being happy and satisfied.
How you choose to achieve this contentment is personal to you and your values.
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How to be Content with What You Have: 12 Ways
1. Have an Attitude of Gratitude
Finding contentment in life starts with having an attitude of gratitude. Finding ways to be grateful every day.
This can be as simple as waking up in the morning and writing down what you’re grateful for in your journal, or making it a habit to look around you and appreciate the little gifts in your life.
As the saying ‘attitude of gratitude’ goes – it all starts (and ends) with your attitude and your view on life.
If you choose to find gratitude on a daily basis, being grateful will naturally come to you over time.
Get more inspiration with these articles:
- 52 Gratitude Journal Prompts To Increase Happiness
- 40 Inspiring Gratitude Quotes & Being Thankful Sayings
- 13 Ways to be Grateful for What You Have
2. Write a List of Things you Take for Granted
Can you think of things you take for granted that others could only dream of having?
- For someone who is childless, they are dreaming of the children you have in your arms
- For those who are stressed about planning a family vacation, imagine those who can’t afford to go anywhere
- That roof over your head, the food on your table, the job you have – people out there are struggling to have these things
We all have things in life we take for granted, but taking a step back and acknowledging how lucky you are to have these experiences, items and situations is a reason to be content with what you have.
Try writing a list and really think about what you have that others are praying and wishing for right now.
3. Write a ‘Went Well’ List Every Night
At the end of each day write a list of things that went well.
This is a great habit to start and will give you a little reminder that life is pretty good. Even in times of struggle, I bet you can still write a list of what went well, every day.
Here are some examples you could use:
- Finishing your to-do list
- A good family dinner
- You had a great chat with your neighbour
- Having the perfect cup of tea
- Joking with a colleague at work
- Not buying something you don’t need
- Drinking a healthy smoothie
- Reading a chapter from your book
- Having a wonderful hug
Whatever went well for you, write it down. I bet you’ll discover that your day was pretty good – even if you didn’t realize it.
But what about bad days? Okay I know, every day can’t be great and it might be hard to think about things that went well when everything genuinely feels that it went horribly.
If you’re in this situation I encourage you to try some other tactics from this article and see if you can boost your mood.
Related: 30-Day Gratitude Challenge + Free PDF Printable
4. Learn How to Successfully Fail
This definitely sounds like an oxymoron, but hear me out.
Learning how to fail by learning from your experience leads to positive growth.
When something doesn’t work out, doesn’t go the way you want, doesn’t succeed – you will discover what you can do to improve next time.
Successfully failing can be beneficial to all aspects of life from relationships, to career, to parenting.
Some examples:
Relationships: A failed relationship can show you what not to look for in a partner next time around. Or, help you see what you really want in a relationship to be happy.
Career: Not meeting your goals for the quarter at work will help you think about taking a different approach next time. It will encourage you to try new tactics to meet and exceed your goals. Trial and error help us grow in our careers.
Parenting: Your kid has a temper tantrum because you didn’t buy them as ice cream cone at the park. This probably feels like a parenting fail. So this will encourage you to speak to other parents, seek parenting advice online or find a new way to communicate with your child that their behaviour is not acceptable.
5. Enjoy the Simple Pleasures in Life
The breeze, birds chirping, a hot cup of tea, a child’s laugh – those are just a few things that bring me joy.
Enjoying the simple pleasures in life is truly that simple. Focus on the little things that make you feel good, that lift you up.
When you take note of what makes you happy you’ll begin to notice these simple pleasures come into your day – every day and without any effort.
So, slow down and look around. I bet you can come up with a list of simple pleasures that you love.
In fact – share a few with me in the comments section below 🙂 I’d love to hear them.
Related: 99 Simple Pleasures in Life to Fill You with Joy
6. Learn How to Turn a Negative into a Positive
When something negative happens the easiest thing is to dwell in negativity – to focus on how bad the situation is or how it will negatively impact your life.
However, this can make a negative situation far worse if you continue to ruminate.
Learning to accept a negative situation can be easy at times or completely impossible at others times depending on the severity of the situation.
If the negative feeling or situation you’re experiencing is a little thing that you know you can move on from, I recommend you do the following:
- Write down what’s bothering you to help you let it go.
- Look at the negative situation and see if you can think of a positive outcome of letting this go. Now write this down too.
- Next, do something that makes you feel good. It could be a simple pleasure as mentioned earlier in the article such as calling a friend, walking your dog or listening to a great playlist.
By doing these 3 simple things, I promise that you’ll be able to move on easier than focusing on what’s bothering you.
Now, if you have a large problem that’s not going to be solved any time soon, I want you to do the following:
- Talk to someone who cares about you. Tell them how you’re feeling. The act of communicating what’s got you down helps you release this negative feeling a little easier.
- Consider trying a mood tracker like this one I created, to help you identify your feelings throughout the day. This will help you find activities to avoid (that make you feel low) and other activities/situations you can focus on instead (that lift you up).
- If you have a hard time moving on from this negative situation, I always recommend connecting with a therapist to talk it out. Everyone can benefit from therapy no matter what you’re dealing with.
7. Create New Experiences
When you focus on creating new experiences this gives you the opportunity to look forward to something positive or exciting.
Trying new things gives us a new lease on life.
Creating new experiences can be things such as:
- Trying a new hobby
- Learning a skill
- Meeting different people
- Trying a new cuisine
- Learning about different religions
- Discovering new areas of your city to explore
- Practising self-care
Whether it’s planning a trip, taking a course, starting a book club or making new friends; new experiences connect us directly to feelings of happiness and contentment.
8. Focus on a Purposeful Life
Having a purpose and following your values with daily intention can lead to true contentment.
By being purposeful on a daily basis you’ll feel more accomplished and you’ll be able to choose the kind of day you’d like to have.
You can:
- Choose joy
- Choose to focus on positivity
- Choose to be grateful.
If you want to live with more intention in life here are 15 ways you can be intentional today. Give one of them a try!
9. Cherish & Work on Your Relationships
According to the longest ever done study on happiness, good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Leaning into these relationships will provide you with a level of contentment and happiness everyone is seeking.
Learn more about this 75-year long study in this thought-provoking TED talk from Robert Waldinger; a professor at Harvard Medical School who is known for his findings from this Grant Study…
What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness
- Cherish the positive relationships you do have
- Look for the good in them
- Show your gratitude to people who make a difference in your life
- Work on the relationships that matter to you – they are worth it
10. Discover the Benefits of a Minimalist Lifestyle
Living a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t only apply to your design aesthetic or living with minimal items in your home. A minimalist lifestyle is also about living a simple life.
There are so many amazing benefits to minimalism such as having more time to do what matters, growing your savings, being kinder to the environment, doing what you love.
By living a more minimal lifestyle helps you be content with what you have – as you’ve only brought things into your life that provide functionality or bring you joy.
11. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
That little thing you keep stressing over… Does it really matter?
Is it worth you getting yourself upset with worry?
Learning how to stop sweating the small stuff can take some practice, but it’s well worth it.
The effects of stress on the body can actually lower our lifespan, so there is absolutely no benefit to holding on to things that don’t matter in the big picture.
But, the question is how?
- Compare: Think about a big problem in life – one you’ve had or others have. That thing you are stressed about that you can’t let go of… how does it measure up to that big problem? A little perspective can go a long way to helping you look past that little thing that bothers you.
- Look for the Root Cause: There’s a good chance that ‘the little thing’ you’re stressed about is actually not what’s bothering you. It could be there’s a bigger issue and you’re just focusing on the little things because you don’t want to deal with the bigger problem. So take a step back and really think about what is concerning you.
- Give Yourself a Time Limit: I love this tip from HuffPo. They recommend that if you absolutely must focus on this little thing that’s bothering you – do it within a small amount of time (5 minutes) and then let it go. Don’t hold on.
Learning to not sweat the small stuff can be hard at times, but this is where you can also use the skill of turning a negative into a positive, as discussed earlier in this article.
For example: When I see that my house is a mess with kid stuff I could think ‘Argh!! I hate this mess’.
But instead, I think about how tidy my house will be when my son grows up and moves out. Sure – it’ll be tidy, but too quiet as well. So I learn to embrace sports equipment, video games and school work as this means I’m lucky enough to have a family.
12. Create Balance
Creating balance can be massively beneficial to your happiness. After all, these days who doesn’t feel like they’re drowning in all the things?
Creating balance in various parts of your life can be achieved by doing these few things:
- Ask for Help. Whether you need help from your family or your boss, asking for help (and being very specific about your ask) really does work. Related: How to Ask for Help to Create Balance
- Create Time for Self-Care. You might think “self-care” seems impossible or cliché, however, I challenge you to dedicate 30 minutes a day (minimum), just for you. You can do anything with this time, just make sure it’s something that brings you joy. For inspiration, check out these Self Care Sunday ideas you can try any day of the week.
Quotes on Being Content With What You Have
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus
“He who is not content with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” – Socrates
“Content people don’t always have the best of everything, but they make the best of everything.” – Rachel Cruze
“Change your expectation for appreciation and the world changes instantly.” – Tony Robbins
Why Aren’t You Content with what you have?
This is a hard question to ask yourself but I strongly encourage you to reflect on this, otherwise, you may find yourself in the endless cycle of…
You want something > you feel lesser because you don’t have it > you eventually get it > you enjoy it for 5 minutes > repeat.
This process will go on and on and on until you choose to break the cycle.
But, What if I Can’t Find Anything to be Content About?
If you start going through this exercise and you find it’s not helping I want you to consider two things:
- Can you remove areas in your life that make you unhappy or can you introduce new experiences to bring you joy?
- Consider talking to your doctor. Why? A main sign of depression is when you no longer have joy or contentment in life. You may do things you used to love and they do nothing for you now. If you think this could be you, know that you CAN get through this with help. There are resources out there to support you and the best place to start is by talking to your doctor.
How to Be Content with What You Have: Summary
Being content with what you have is the difference between feeling unhappy or unsatisfied in life and embracing your life as it is today.
This enables you to have a choice as to how your life rolls out. Is this a choice you’d like to make?
Next Steps:
With the 12 tips in this article, I recommend focusing on one area at a time – ideal for every month of the year! Or, if you’d like to move faster focus on one task, one week at a time.
There is no specific order so choose what resonates with you most today.
Related Articles on Being Content:
- The Importance of Gratitude & How to be Grateful in Life
- How to Practise Daily Gratitude + Easy Gratitude Exercises
- 70 Good Daily Habits to Improve Your Life
For more inspiration and to get the latest post from Put The Kettle On, let’s connect!
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Yolanda xo
About Yolanda
Website Owner / CONTENT CREATOR
I’m passionate about helping you live life to the fullest so you can choose to find happiness and purpose. Learn how to CREATE THE LIFE YOU LOVE with intentional living and discovery of the simple things life has to offer. Learn more…
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На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
Be content with what you have and don’t be jealous.
Be content with what you have and keep a low profile the entire year.
Be content with what you have.
Be content with what you have in life.
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