How to Want What You Have
At first glance, this may sound silly. Shouldn’t we already want the things we already have since it’s concrete, tangible, and in our possession? The answer is...yes….. and no. Logically speaking yes, theoretically speaking no. However, the reality is that the large majority of our population finds it quite difficult to want what they already have. This can be explained through examining Maslow’s theory on the hierarchy of needs. Once we surpass the basics of human survival and tend to our physiological needs, we go straight into inquiring more complex and psychological issues that contribute to our path of self-actualization.
As a twenty-something living in this day and age I can’t help but want more than what I already have. My mind goes a mile-a-minute thinking about the next move instead of what’s in front of me. Having graduated from college I fight myself constantly wrestling with the thoughts of comparison to my peers, the expectations of my parents, where I should be, and where I could have gone. The anxiety and worry that I created had stemmed from my dissatisfaction of not having enough in the present and simply wanting MORE. Let me clarify when I say more. I am not speaking about self development and bettering oneself, I am talking about escaping the present moment and being ungrateful.
Don’t get me wrong I’m all for self development and being the best version of you that you can be, but when you expect too much of yourself in such a small time frame, it equates to self-loathing and further negative emotions that actually inhibit your growth and progress towards your dreams and goals. Instead of falling to prey with this bad habit, here are some tips that have been helping me stay present, mindful, and sane.
Show compassion towards yourself and others.
Be kind to yourself and you shall be kind to others as well. How we treat others is a direct expression of how we treat ourselves, so love yourself even though you don’t feel like it, because it’ll get easier over time.
Be attentive wherever you are.
Wherever you find yourself in this world, take a moment to breathe, take a step back and examine your surroundings right now. This is a brief moment for clarity and introspection, so embrace it!
Express your gratitude.
There’s always something to be grateful for. Even in the darkest moments we can find light. It doesn’t have to be huge and earth-shattering, it could be as simple as your warm cozy bed, some fuzzy socks, or a delicious latte you got today. You can ALWAYS find something to be grateful for when you DECIDE to.