10 ways to reduce want

Longing for something that you cannot attain is painful, so alleviating the want should lead to a more pleasant existence. Two strategies to help are: getting the things you want and reducing the number of things you want. With unlimited means (money, time) you could hypothetically get everything you want, but this strategy seems a sure way to feed a bad habit, rather than recognizing it and kicking it.

The following are ideas to help reduce want in your life, either by changing the way you see things, so your list of want can shrink, or by providing low-cost (cheap) solutions to attaining the things that cannot be removed from the list of want:


1. Find Gratitude. Someone once told me that there could be no heaven because we become acclimated to whatever state we are in. The perfect condition would become commonplace, and therefore lack the joy and euphoria required of heaven. In order to appreciate it, we would have to be able to remember vividly the pain of not having it. The logic seems reasonable, yet I can't help but think if we could remain mindful of what life is without the things we have, if we could focus on the good things and be glad for it, it would keep this boredom from settling in and we would remain content. Want, after all, grows from discontent.

2. Embrace Environmentalism. Sometimes, in the battle of want, it helps to have more than just willpower, so use the good feeling you gain from doing something positive for the environment as your guide. The energy and resources it takes to create any given (from the harvesting of the raw materials, to the processing of these materials, to the shipping of the goods, and the display space that must be heated and cooled) all create pollution and waste. Add to this additional waste in the form of trash (packaging, item at the end of its usefulness) and you have a huge environmental impact. See this entertaining and informative video, you know, to get tough about wanting stuff.

3. Make Things. People used to do it all the time. They made stuff. Made clothes. Made food. Made tools. Made all kinds of things. When you make something, and take care with the craftsmanship, you treasure it a little more, and are less likely to see it as disposable. Besides, how cool is it to make something wonderful. Make a garden or a card.

4. Satisfy the Need to Shop. I realize it is a very unusual tip to add to the list, but hear me out. There is something about shopping that is, for some, therapeutic. Some evidence exists that shopping links back to our early instincts for hunting & gathering, which may explain why some find comfort in this activity. Without discipline, however, shopping can quickly spiral out of control. Until you beat the need for shopping as an activity, change the rules a bit. Instead of going shopping unarmed, shop with purpose. Make a list of things that you will have to get anyway (gift for some one's birthday, anniversary, wedding, etc.) and “hunt” for these items. You can even make your holiday list early and leisurely “gather” these perfect gifts.

5. Block out the ads. Television shows have sponsors with really compelling commercials. Both the shows and the commercials trigger want, by showing you what happens without the product, or how wonderful it is to have it. Commercials are seductive and sly. If commercials didn't work, companies wouldn’t be willing to spend as much as they do promoting their products by paying for television. Consider it the next time you are watching t.v.

6. Visit the Library. Library cards are free to county residents, and entitle the holder to check out all kinds of resources... books, CDs, DVDs, even children’s toys! They even take recommendations from patrons for new material. Classics movies and how-to videos are always on the shelves, while new releases tend to have a waiting list. If you aren't in a big hurry to see something, sign up for several with long waiting lists, then forget about it. You will get a notice as soon as it’s your turn to view it. The library also has regular movie nights, music nights and other big fun. Click to visit my library (maybe yours too, if you live in Greene County)

7. Get Feng Shui’ed. Clutter is a big harmony disruptor. Just by getting rid of things, you lighten your world, make life more pleasant and easy. By bringing in more stuff, you raise the potential clutter that you bring to your life as well. Having less stuff, and the peace that brings, is a want you can attain.

8. Appreciate Vintage. By looking for used things, you extend the life of an item, while cutting down on what it took to make it. Freecycle, Craigslist, local flea markets and thrift stores are all good places to find good, used stuff. Besides being an inexpensive and environmentally friendlier way to go, often the older stuff was made of better materials and is not so run-of-the-mill.

9. Play The “Waste” Game. Notice how much waste you generate in a week, and consider where all of that waste must go. Try to reduce the amount of waste you create. This will automatically cut down on your consumption because every bit of packaging must either go into the trash.

10. Create False Want. Similar to #1, but more of an exercise. Start by taking stock of what you have, then choosing one of these and imagining what it would be like to not have it (your health, a place to sleep, food) you can refocus on what you have, rather than on what you lack (or want). Intentionally skip a meal, or bundle up and go outside to “nap” and imagine what it would be like to be without your shelter. Go back inside and enjoy the feeling of having, instead of wanting.