“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.
Pat Walter says
Josh: I just recently moved from one state to another after living alone for about 7 yrs. I had accumulated a few “things” but not too much since I had lived in a large 5th wheel before that. When I moved, I sold almost everything that did not fit into my small SUV; the few extras are in storage. No furniture of any sort was kept. Only an awful lot of craft supplies that I hated to part with. It was not as hard as I thought it would be to sell everything or give it away.
I moved in with a dear friend who has a relative’s home that is completely furnished. We rent. She sold all also.
Now I just mentioned to my daughter that I felt like I was visiting instead of actually living here because there is nothing of mine here that reflects my tastes. Oh my gosh! After reading through your blog today I realized what a foolish thing that was to say!
I will not be defined by “stuff”!
I will be known by my self; not what I own, what I drive or what I wear, etc.
I now how the perfect op to do whatever I want and still have a place to come back to (or not). I am retired and my checks will go where ever I want them to. So, I guess I will be off to enjoy birdwatching and meeting new folks and camping and whatever else.
Thanks for you insights!
Sometimes a good kick in the pants wakes us up!
Michelle Russell says
If you remember our conversation on the train to PDX last week, Joshua, you’ll know why this post of yours, in particular, caught my attention. :o)
In this age of near-constant bombardment by the mass media, we should all remember **this** part of what you wrote especially:
“The goal of advertising is to stir within us the thinking that we do not yet own enough.”
Not because buying or owning things in itself is bad (as you observed), but because it’s so easy to just go unconscious. It takes deliberate effort–essentially, “living the examined life”–to decide what WE want for ourselves. And that’s what minimalism (or dare I say enoughism) is all about.
Well written, as always!
April says
This is very timely for me. I’m still in the early stages of minimizing. Today I put together two sacks of clothes for the charity shop, and when I had finished there still wasn’t any more space in my wardrobe or dresser drawers. How much more than enough have I collected, without even setting out to own that much, that giving away all this doesn’t show? And I’ll bet that in a few months I can do the same again and hardly notice. We don’t know how privileged we are, do we?
christie says
I am just beginning my journey to realize I have enough. I have been going thru my house and have realized how much STUFF I really have. Most of which I don’t need. So I have been getting rid of it…giving to family friends and goodwill. My family and friends think I’m nuts…but I feel so much better and my house is so much easier to clean :) . This is a journey I am happy to continue for the rest of my life.
Gail says
Enough ..the question and the answer.
I will read your post numerous times to absorb all its truth.
Steven says
If everyone on the planet lived like an American, it would take 6 planet earths to sustain us.
I guess that’s why we can see New York City’s land fill from outer space.
Thera says
Great article, but I too would love to see that list!
Kim says
I am so grateful that I stumbled across your FB page. I never have really been one to shop or buy a lot of excess but I have always had a hard time parting with things that I have accumulated over the years. It was really good for me to read about keeping things purely for emotional reasons is not good. I now understand that keeping something someone has given me is senseless if it’s cluttering my life. I’m finally parting with my daughters baby clothes and toys (which I kept mostly for emotional reasons) and she’s almost 11! It feels so good to have less clutter and clean closets. Thank you so much for your articles.
Angela says
I have three boys and I have kept for them each a freezer bag size ziplock bag. Each bag contains their hospital blanket going home outfit and another trinket or two from their first year. This way it’s just enough memories to pass down to them.
Linda says
Kim, that’s encouraging. We have one 11 year old, and I keep way too much of his stuff for sentimental reasons. I’m nudged now to pare it down and let a bunch of it go. The emotional attachment is strong.
Gerard says
Well written! Advertisements on TV and on daily newspapers keep us anxious and yearning to own something new almost everyday. Especially our life is flooded with more than enough technical gadgets. And we keep looking for a new model or a better version of all these tech gadgets. Life in 21st century is pathetic!
Kathy says
“Whoever is not in his coffin and the dark grave, let him know he has enough.”
― Walt Whitman
One of my favorite “enough” comments…