Living In Simplicity, It Turns Out That It Shows A High Level Of Well-being

Illustration of living in simplicity (Pexels/Bela Cheers)

YOGYAKARTA – Even living in a luxurious and affluent house, a person can feel that he is not living well. On the other hand, people who live simply can show a high level of welfare. So what is the grip on the measure of welfare if not material sufficiency?

Research in the last decade, reported by Psychology Today, the United States with a three-fold increase in gross domestic product, the depression rate of its people increased tenfold. Surprisingly, in some Latin American countries, the level of material wealth is relatively low but the welfare of the people is high.

According to Steve Taylor, Ph.D., a senior lecturer in psychology at Leeds Beckett University, people with a high materialist view of life tend to have lower levels of well-being. On the other hand, people who voluntarily live a simple life with minimal assets actually have a higher level of welfare. An analogy that can elaborate on this difference is that when buying goods gives happiness quickly, the desire to shop will be greater. That way the value of material happiness will decrease.

Illustration of living in simplicity (Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

Under certain conditions, money can generate wealth, especially to meet basic needs. If basic needs are not met, you may constantly worry about your financial situation. Taylor gives another analogy, the materialistic pursuit of happiness is like eating when you are full. You can eat what you like, but it won't be satisfying and you'll just feel bloated and nauseous.

Economists often point out that buying, owning, and wanting more and more goods is a human path. But if one examines the history of the human species, this actually makes no sense. Because for 95 percent of the time, humans live as hunters and gatherers. If life is semi nomadic, including in human history, accumulating wealth does not make sense because it will be burdensome.

The point Taylor is making is that the more energy and attention focused on momentary happiness, it doesn't make you prosperous. As they become more and more obsessed with fleeting pleasures, they neglect inner harmony.