Rule #43 Overcoming envy

Inspired by: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/ungreen-with-envy/

I think my life is cluttered with lot of thoughts.
I feel so suffocated, grumpy and unhappiness.
I want to feel light and free again. I need to do something about it.
It is time for me to go back to my strict minimalist therapy.

1. Shift your focus to the goodness in your life.
- I did take my blessings for granted.
- My life is indeed too valuable to be lived like everyone else.
- I had many reasons to be grateful for in life.

2. Remind yourself that nobody has it all.
- Comparing is bad. I always lose.
- Nobody has it all.

3. Avoid people who habitually value the wrong things.
If you spend all your time with people who compare the latest fashions, you are going to start desiring the latest fashions. If you spend all your time with people who talk about their salaries, their new cars, or their extravagant vacations, you are going to naturally fall into the inevitable trap of comparing your possessions to theirs. But there are far more important things to pursue. Remove yourself from the conversation (and the relationship if necessary).

4. Spend time with grateful people.
Find grateful people who experience contentment in their lives and spend quality time with them.
- Such people are rare.

5. Understand that marketers routinely fan the flame.
One of the most effective tools for advertisers in our culture is to foster jealousy and envy among us. After all, if they can cause us to recklessly desire the possessions of another, they can drive us to great lengths to acquire it for ourselves. Be on guard against their tactics. Recognize them. Avoid them. And refuse to succumb to their deception.

6. Celebrate the success of others.
Genuinely and practically, rejoice in the fortune of others. When somebody receives something that you desire, be happy for them. If you wanted it, they probably did too. Stop viewing life as a competition. Joy is not a finite resource. And the moment you learn to experience happiness in others’ joy is the day you take a huge step to overcoming envy once and for all.

7. Be generous. Even if you have to force yourself into it at first, make generosity an essential habit in your life. Give your time. Give your finances. Give your abilities, talents, and skills. Volunteer in your community. Support a cause that promotes social justice. And get your hands dirty. As you begin to spend more time and more energy with those who have less than you, the more you will find fulfilment and meaning. And when you do, the allure of another’s person life will quickly fade away.

Inspired by: http://www.becomingminimalist.com/ungreen-with-envy/

Choosing to live with less, we have experienced numerous unexpected benefits. We have more time, more energy, more freedom, and more money to pursue what is most important to us. Owning less means less cleaning, less burden, less anxiety, and less stress each and every day. In short, we are freed to pursue our passions.

I had discovered that my passion is travelling and personal business.
For travelling, I love planning itinerary, packing and getting lost.
For personal business, I love planning and deciding with full control.

http://www.becomingminimalist.com/maybe-the-answer-is-owning-less/