“Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.” —Epicurus
Enough is a freeing concept and a liberating reality.
Those who have accumulated enough are left without wanting. They are no longer required to strive for more. Instead, they live free and content.
Most of us are driven by the desire to own enough physical possessions. This is good and true—to provide for ourselves and our family is a worthy pursuit.
Because of this desire, we spend our days pursuing the increased possession of material goods—both financial and material.
And while there is nothing wrong with this pursuit, I wonder if our culture has unintentionally shifted from the pursuit of enough to the pursuit of excess. Consider the fact that most of us already own enough:
Our roof provides shelter for our entire family. Our rooms are furnished with places to sit and lie. Our dressers are filled with clothes. Our closets are supplied with towels and linens. Our pantries and our freezers are stocked with food. Our toy chests house plenty of toys.
We already have enough.
Unfortunately, we live in a world that constantly redefines this notion of enough:
- 50 years ago, a house of 1,000 square feet was considered enough. Today, the average new home is 2,300 square feet—and still 10% of us rent off-site storage.
- 30 years ago, 1.5 televisions in every home was considered enough. Today, the average American home contains more televisions than people. And when every room is full, the industry begins to redefine enough in terms of size and picture-quality.
- 15 years ago, less than half of American adults owned a cell phone. Today, over 90% of adults own a cell phone—and 70% of 12-year olds.
Advertisers work relentlessly to redefine enough. In a consumer-based society, they are required to do so.
The goal of advertising is to stir within us the thinking that we do not yet own enough. Marketers work to change our attitude about their product or service from “that’s extravagant” to “I want that” to “I need that.”
Once they can convince us we need it, our purchase is just a matter of time. If they can make us believe we don’t have enough until we own their product, they know we will continue to pursue ownership of it.
Our definition of enough has been artificially moved by a self-serving entity. And because our new definition of enough remains unachieved, our ability to enjoy its freedom has been lost.
Once again, we are held in bondage to its pursuit. We spend more of our days pursuing the money to fund the increased possession of material goods. All with the goal of finally attaining enough.
But we already have enough. Once we train ourselves to recognize this truth, we are freed from the pursuit of more, we are liberated from the bondage of discontent, and we begin to experience true freedom in our lives.
Best of all, once we realize we already own enough, we are freed to pursue more worthy endeavors than the accumulation of excess.
John Dobbs says
Josh, I couldn’t agree more. Even though I know you’re right, this is a struggle to live out. I like that this desire does create a tension that at least slows down the desire to have more. Thanks for your writings. They’re very helpful.
Pastor Jamie says
Hi Josh, many blessings to you. Love your website, message and ministry.
You stated 80% of 12 year olds own a cell phone. While I think this is CRAZY, unless I misread the report (which is always possible), I think the report says 78% of all teens (12-17) own a cell phone, but only 68% of 12-13 year olds. Did I read that right, or did I miss something?
Keep up the GREAT work!
Gail says
I believe he said 70%. But you’re too busy quibbling about a few% points, being legalistic, that you missed point of the post.
Gail
Pastor Jamie says
Nope Gail, not being legalistic, just wanted to make sure I was reading it right and he was stating numbers correctly. Thanks for jumping to the conclusion you did. Lighten up.
joshua becker says
No, you read the report correctly. The first published version erroneously cited 80%. I corrected it to 70% shortly after.
Judy says
In this sad, scary and deranged world we live in…as long as it is limited, I can understand a parent wanting a child to have a cell phone. I get it.
Margie Remmers says
Thank you so much for these lovely thoughts. I was recently touched by similar words from one of our church leaders: “Out of necessity, most of us are involved in earning money and acquiring some of the world’s goods to be able to sustain our families. It requires a good part of our time and attention. There is no end to what the world has to offer, so it is critical that we learn to recognize when we have enough. If we are not careful, we will begin to chase after the temporal more than the spiritual. Our pursuit for the spiritual and eternal will then take a backseat, instead of the other way around. Sadly, there appears to be a strong inclination to acquire more and more and to own the latest and the most sophisticated.”
You can read the entire text of his address here:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/where-your-treasure-is?lang=eng
Ed Helvey says
Your post is so on target. It can’t be repeated enough and in as many places as possible. Most of us fall into the trap. We are bombarded day and night everywhere we go whether at home, driving in the car, at work, etc. We get feeds from Amazon, Buy.com, Woot, etc. The shopping channels on TV and cable pound us with endless chatter about nothing to buy stuff that we don’t need, but it’s always the best deal ever. And, we can’t forget product placements in movies and TV shows – subliminal marketing.
I’m as guilty as the next or at least I was. As I began seeking and moving toward my lifestyle change to “living free” I began asking myself, “Can I live without this?” It didn’t matter if it was from on-line marketing or walking through Costco – I ALWAYS ask the same question. When I started it often took me a few minutes, even a few days to make that determination, Today, after several years of “living free” and blogging about it, my determination that I can live without virtually all that “stuff” is instantaneous. But, it was hard getting here. Keep up the good work. It’s vitally important.
DominiqueB says
I’m going to visit your blog right now Ed :) Looking forward to hearing what fellow travellers on this journey have learned
Paulla Jackson says
This is the kind of inspiration I needed this morning. I’m a single parent raising two boys and we get along just fine without all the “extras” on the market. However, I’ve been minimizing like crazy since finding this page. There’s always room to declutter in our lives.
joshua becker says
Even when we are not intentionally pursuing the “extras,” excess seems to accumulate in our homes and lives. Blessings on your journey. Raise your boys well.
Ed Herzog says
Definitely agree Joshua!
Have you ever heard of a coffee table book called “Material World: A Global Family Portrait”?
The creators of the book took photos of people around the world, surrounded by all of their possessions. And they also did interviews with the people about their lives.
I remember one gentleman in Africa who said his dream in life was to have a second pair of clothes. I still feel humbled by those words…
joshua becker says
I have not seen the book, but I know some of the photos are available online (http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/08/10/129113632/picturingpossessions).
My understanding of enough has indeed been greatly influenced by travel to some of the poorest nations on earth.
Lola True says
Indeed. Working in a school district. My reminder to our parents is to take their children to a third world country instead of five star hotels in Europe. It is a wise idea.
We need a reality check :)
Syera says
I feel humbled by those words too. They don’t have the luxury of choice like everyone else. Like us.
Jerree says
Excellent! And…..so very true:) It definitely bears repeating!
Marcy says
Help me! Your message is clear and I love it, but I can’t seem to stop myself from getting excited about buying stuff. I started reading your blog and applying your tips and it was going great, I thought I could do this. Then we moved and I got rid of a LOT of stuff, it was liberating! Loved it! Now, I’m going down again! I stay home and we live in a very small rural town. I get bored and the only thing that excites me it to buy something. Usually toys for my daughter. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t ignore it when I see a deal and I can’t stop thinking about it until I buy it and I get a weird rush. Please help!!
Kat says
If the *only* thing that excites you is buying things I think it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your life. Find things that make you happy. Instead of buying toys for your daughter, spend time with her. Figure out what you like to do. Reading, spending time with friends, maybe a sport? Something that is more fulfilling and longlasting than spending money.
BrownVagabonder says
Every single time I feel like I have conquered my desire for more, I am tempted by something new that I see owned by someone around me, either in the subway, or on the street. Then, all of those good intentions of having enough go out of the window. I realize then that this idea of having enough is a life-long pursuit. Forever, until the end of time, I will have to keep a rein on my desires, and keep on reminding myself of what is important to me, stuff or experiences. It is like yoga – the end-point will never be reached, the journey is what matters.
Paulla Jackson says
I love that thought of the journey being important.
joshua becker says
Thank you for sharing an open, honest, and authentic personal story with us. To be able to recognize and articulate your intentions is more than half the battle.
DominiqueB says
That’s so true. I find myself also having to remind myself that I have enough and don’t need something new just because it’s there for the taking.
The whole philosophy of “enough” is so counter-cultural that you need to keep filling your mind with this “alternative” message, otherwise the voice of common culture will drown it out. My husband used to tease me about the size of my email mailbox until I explained to him that my mailbox is so much bigger than his because of the newsletters and blogs (like this one) that I subscribe to in order to fill my mind with the truths that are not proclaimed in our culture and to remind me of what is good and true and noble and of lasting importantance.
Gladys (The Pinay Mom) says
This word is powerful to our household lately that’s why we’re still decluttering our closets and I was surprised how much stuffs we accumulated for them (from gifts to hand-me-down) but we’re so happy we’ll donate them this week to Goodwill.
joshua becker says
There is great freedom in owning less and recognizing it is enough.
Jeff says
Let me help you out. Send me all your money. You’ll feel wonderfully free!
Pam says
It’s the “where do I start” that gets me….. ?.
Pamela says
Use your stove timer and try to do one hour everyday, or whatever you feel you can do. Start with one drawer at a time. I’ve made great progress using the timer. If I’m still on a roll when it buzzes I go for a second hour. It’s a great way to get in 10,000 steps a day also!
Angie says
I started by placing a laundry basket lined with a green garbage bag in the laundry room. As I walked through the house, I would grab an item I knew I didn’t want anymore. No emotional ties…just stuff. Then I placed it in the bag. Once the bag was full, I took it to my local Goodwill. Once I rid myself of the “stuff”, I felt inspired to look at the next level of my possessions. Then I just keep going. Finally I’m to the point where I’m looking at the items that are useful and/or I love. Hope this helps those looking to get started.
Ruthie says
In my opinion there is no wrong answer to that. I know some books would tell you the order of which to declutter, but I started just by walking around my house and grabbing random things that just didn’t feel like they described who I was in that moment…they were things that described me years before..then eventually I got to the point where I started getting rid of things that I was keeping to “describe me” to my guests. I realized I didn’t need those decorative items for the sake of sharing with others who I am..I am a person with a personality and a voice and I can tell people who I am and what I love through that. I now keep things that I love and USE…start wherever you feel you need to start. Start with stuff that’s NOT sentimental though…that stuff was brutal to go through the first round through (first few rounds through if i am being honest..okay if I am being completely honest I am still dealing with some sentimental stuff but I got rid of A LOT in the first few rounds).
Helen Barbour says
My father still has in his possession a handwritten inventory of the contents of his childhood home that his father drew up back in the 1930s/40s. He details literally every knife, fork, ‘frock’ and vase and the list runs to a mere handful of A5 pages. It would take that much paper for me just to list the contents of my kitchen, and I am pretty minimalist by today’s standards. How times have changed, indeed.
joshua becker says
Wow, that’s amazing. I’d love to see a photo of the list—or the full text of everything on it. Do you know if it was originally kept for insurance purposes? Or some other reason?
Liz P says
Wow!
Adela says
I agree, would love to see that list! My grandparents were heavily involved in my upbringing and they come from that generation. They inspire me to this day with their outlook on everything including wordly possessions. Not only in the sense that there is such thing as having enough but also in the way they look after what they have to make it last eliminating the need for acquiring more. Another factor is the fact, that once upon a time, stuff was made to last… So happy I stumbled upon this blog!
Dawn Madsen says
That is very cool! On the other hand, when my grandparents passed away 15 years ago and we had to clear their farm of their possessions, every garage and shed was packed with things that they kept “just in case.” They had experienced just enough lack in their lives to never want to go back.
I see many of the same tendencies in my parents to a slightly lesser extent…it is of course not wrong by any means, but I feel fortunate to have come across resources like this and hope that our generation can truly embrace reclaiming contentment in simplicity.
Dawn Madsen says
(and I agree that it would be very cool to see the list :)
K West says
Reclaiming contentment in simplicity—a very powerful phrase!
Mary says
That phrase resonated with me too!
Kari Underwood says
Yes my grandparents were also the same. They lived through the depression, and had to start over once when my mom was a pre teen due to a fire that destroyed their home, and very little was salvaged. They lived in the south and lived off of gardens and bartering as well as my granddaddy’s income from the railroad. Hard living but the sentiment is passed down. I even have some of this in my own psyche…. and I am not as old as others that experience this as my parents had me in their 40s. Funny thing recently though I realized I have been living in “fear of lack” for most of my life. Which is a barrier for in manifestation and peace of mind. A work in progress for sure.