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“Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.” —Socrates
There were many reasons we chose to become minimalist and simplify our lives. We were frustrated with clutter. We discovered the time that was wasted managing our possessions. We realized joy was not found in our possessions. And we determined that we value other things far more than physical belongings. This initial process of simplifying our home required energy, effort, and encouragement.
But the process of remaining minimalist and living this counter-cultural lifestyle against all odds requires something completely different. It requires knowing how to be content.
Contentment is the lifeblood of minimalism. And without it, the journey towards minimalism is short-lived. Discontent will always rear its ugly head and become a great obstacle to fully thriving in a simple and happy life.
Not only does contentment provide the opportunity for minimalism, it also reduces your stress level, improves your outlook, relaxes your body, and makes your life enjoyable. There is an unmistakable freedom that accompanies contentment: a freedom to be who you are, enjoy who you are, and live the life you were destined to live.
Yet in our consumeristic-culture where discontent is promoted and material gratification is encouraged, learning to be content can be very difficult. It is certainly a personal journey that we all must travel and nobody’s journey will look the same.
Finding Contentment
Although there is no one-size-fits-all program to fully-attain contentment, you can still learn how to be content by being intentional. Here are six tips you can apply today to find more contentment in
1. Practice gratitude. It is impossible to develop contentment without gratitude—they are inseparable. And a grateful person is one who has learned to focus on the good things in their life, not the things they lack. The simple discipline of beginning the exercise will undoubtedly shift your focus back to the many good things you already have.
2. Take control of your attitude. A person who lacks contentment in their life will often engage in “when and then thinking” – “when I get _______, then I will be happy.” Instead, take control of your attitude. Remember, your happiness is not reliant on the acquisition of any possession. Your happiness is based solely on your decision to be happy—this may be one of the most important life lessons you can ever learn.
3. Break the buying habit. For many of us, it has been ingrained into our lives that the proper way to diffuse discontent is to purchase the outward item that is seemingly causing the discontentment. Almost no energy is spent determining the true root of the discontent. Are you dissatisfied with your wardrobe? Go buy new clothes. Not content with your vehicle? Go buy a new one. We have gotten into the habit of satisfying our discontent by simply spending more money.
We must break that habit. Material possessions will never fully satisfy the desires of your heart (that’s why discontent always returns). The next time you recognize discontentment surfacing in your life, refuse to give into that bad habit. Instead, commit to better understand yourself and why the lack of that item is causing discontent. Only after you intentionally break this thinking will true contentment begin to surface.
4. Stop comparing yourself to others. Comparing your life with someone else’s will always lead to discontentment. There will always be people who “appear” to be better off than you and seemingly living the perfect life. But be advised, we always compare the worst of what we know about ourselves to the best assumptions we make about others. Their life is never as perfect as your mind makes it out to be. You are unique. You are special. Your life is different. And it’s always better that way. Prioritize learning how to stop comparing yourself to others.
5. Help others. When you begin helping others, sharing your talents, time and money, you will find yourself learning to be content. The practice will give you a finer appreciation for what you own, who you are, and what you have to offer.
6. Be content with what you have, never with what you are. Never stop learning, growing, or discovering. Take pride in your personhood and the progress that you have made, but never become so content that you cannot find room for improvement. Contentment is not the same as complacency. As soon as you stop growing, you start dying.
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FAQ About How to Be Content
What is the definition of contentment?
Contentment is finding joy in what we already have in our lives, feeling or showing satisfaction with our possessions, status, or situation. It’s being happy without trying to find fulfillment in acquiring more material possessions.
What are the benefits of contentment?
Contentment allows us to stop comparing ourselves to others and it allows us to break the cycle of wanting more. It lets us be grateful and happy for all that we have. This approach to life is scientifically proven to reduce your stress level, improve your outlook, relax your body, and make life more enjoyable.
What is the difference between contentment and complacency?
The difference can seem minor but there’s actually a world of difference. Contentment is to be happy with what you have and find satisfaction in your present circumstances. Complacency is being unsatisfied with how your life is in the moment but still being unwilling to make changes to improve your situation.
Is contentment a choice?
Absolutely, although it’s not as easy as it sounds. Learning how to be content comes from a combination of intentional mindset shifts, habit changes, and being aware of our thoughts and actions.
Tracy Tan says
thank you for your inspiring blog!
chelsea says
Great post – I’m just starting on this road. We’re burb-dwellers, too, only out here in the midwest.
My original goal was to get rid of half of everything. It’s a job, but it’s paying off BIG TIME.
Hugh says
For me, #1 and #6 are perfect bookends. Be grateful for what you have, but never stop learning and growing. I’ve been practicing a daily gratitude session for about a year now and I love how much it relaxes me. I have such a sense of calm that enables me to learn and grow with a much clearer head.
Awesome post!
josie says
great article!
i think #4 is key
i like the redesign also
:)
jonny says
great, i really needed to read this this week.
i wonder have you considered doing a spin-off blog, on the same areas of contentment, simplicity etc but with more emphasis on the faith/christianity side of things?
Ginny Martin says
Jonny,
I think Joshua is already doing that!
Luke @ simplifi.de says
This is a great post, so much that I agree with, especially “contentment is the lifeblood of minimalism”
Sometimes I feel like there’s an element of the simplicity/minimalism movement that can have a sort of reverse discontentment, too. Where most people are discontent about not having stuff, they are just as discontent about having stuff.
Like when you said, “when i get _______, then i will be happy”, their’s would read, “when declutter” or “when I get down to 100 or 50 things, then I will be happy.”
It’s not true with more stuff, and it’s not true with less stuff, either. So I guess what I’m saying is that contentment is totally a matter of the heart, and you can have a discontent heart, no matter how much stuff you have.
Good stuff!
deanna says
Thanks for that thought…it’s something I’ve been struggling with lately. I know a clutter free environment makes me feel more peaceful, but sometimes I get frustrated with the process and the slowness of my progress.
Maureen Searles says
I have gotten rid of most of my knick knacks and still feel ‘cluttered’. I give up. My kids are raised so there are only dog toys, leashes, dog meds floating around. The goldfish pond which was supposed to be an enjoyable hobby is always green. It had about 500 tadpoles and baby fish so I didn’t want to clean it. The patio table is constantly accumulating things that I use throughout the day. (citronella candles, watering can for the flowers, bug repellant, coffee cup) pfft. It never ends. The coffee table has dog ointments, dog ear drops, a one dollar bill, a pack of buttons that came with a winter coat (it is summer, i don’t know why they are there), a bottle of lotion, a 7up can, a ponytail holder and a hair clip. I cleaned it off yesterday. I am hopeless. Someone gave us a huge bag of corn so that is on the stove. Where are you supposed to put corn anyway? I am so tired. oh, and the dog hair. How could I forget the dog hair?
Terri McDaniel says
One thing that really helped me was learning to do all tasks that take a minute or less. Like putting the ointment back where it belongs. I too am guilty of having a table with too many miscellaneous things on it. But the one minute rule really helps. When I make tea, I clean the pot right then. So at the end of the day, I only have a few dishes to contend with,.
Emily f says
Thanks, great motivational post. Sometimes we need a reminder that the moment we live in is now, and the only time we can be happy is now!
Jill Foley says
#1 and #5 resonate most with me.
About a year ago, I actually started a “thankful blog”. The idea was to post one thing a day I was thankful for…it has revolutionized my thinking, and I find myself reflecting throughout the day what I am particularly thankful for.
And when we open ourselves up to helping others, it nurtures an attitude of thankfulness for what we have been blessed with.
Deb J says
Great post. I agree with it so much. I have found contentment in my relationship with God and the rest falls into place. My worth, success or lack of, my future, and who I am do not depend on things. They come from my relationship with God. Out of that contentment in Him comes the freedom to be who I am and to not need the “things.”
Robbi says
I wholeheartedly agree Deb!
Carol says
“Godliness with contentment is great gain. ” 1 Timothy 6:6
Laura @ PARING DOWN says
Joshua, thanks for this – especially #2 and #3. Great reminders as I begin my week!