7 Critical Reasons Why You Should Be Content With What You Have?

To be content with what you have isn’t an easy feat.

As humans, we’re naturally in a state of movement. We’re looking to progress professionally and/or personally, or motivated by self-interest and our environment to gain more.

More stuff. More wealth. At some point, we have to be content with where we are in life and grateful for what we have. If we don’t, then we are more apt to develop less desirable traits and behavior, which may range from greed, pride, and selfishness.

How can a person be content?

9 critical reasons why you should be content with what you have?

The grass isn’t always greener on the other side

Perspective is key. Your idea of being dealt a bad hand or being impacted by adversity may be a blessing to someone else. 

There are some people that are accustomed to the easy life. Others resolve their personal issues. They’re far removed from the rest of society, and the ills that are common to people of lower socioeconomic statuses. As a result, they lack empathy and self-awareness.

Things can take a turn for the worse at any point in time.

So the next time you complain about the job you hate, a family member you dislike, or the house you live in, take a minute to think about the unemployed, grieving, or homeless who would switch places with you in a heartbeat.

We’ve all taken a piece of humble pie.

So, be careful not to turn your nose up at others who do the best that they can with what they have.

Treat people fairly, with respect, and how you’d ultimately like to be treated. There may come a time when you’re the one in need instead.

Imperfection is the new perfect

Accept your flaws. In Beyonce’s words, flaws and all – every single one of them.

Most of what we see online or on TV is f-a-k-e.

Media outlets have set the standards for beauty for decades. Every generation has a particular image projected onto them by popular models and celebrities that inspire their choices in makeup, fashion, and body goals.

That projection is so powerful that some women are now suffering from body dysmorphia and altering how they look to resemble what’s currently considered attractive according to mainstream media.

Hour-glass shapes. Highly contoured noses and cheekbones. Fuller lips. 

Before hopping on a surgery table or getting injections that have more negative effects than benefits, look in the mirror and take up the challenge to accept yourself exactly as you are.

This can apply to every facet of your life. Whether it’s your career, where you live, your financial status, or your love life, despite your level of contentment, understand that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be and you are enough.

Ditch the lack mindset and adopt an abundant mindset . It’s perfectly okay to love your outward appearance and be proud of the gifts you can offer to the world.

Contentment breeds new blessings

Have you ever wondered why some people who suffer from misfortune or experience various plights in life are still happy? 

They’re always grateful for the smallest things. Things the average person frequently takes for granted. For some, it’s a hot plate of food, kind gestures from a stranger, or simply having someone to listen and talk to. 

When I encounter individuals like this, they are simply grateful for waking up in the morning, having their physical strength and health, or a warm bed to sleep in. They rarely complain about their status in life, but are optimistic instead.

Yes, these are the superstars that see the glass half full.

A common belief they all share is that being content in the present will yield many more blessings in the future.

The Bible details how to be content with what you have throughout its verses as well.

1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Basically, anything other than the essentials we need to survive are excess blessings.

Increases your chances of success

The quickest way to failure is high-jacking someone else’s lane and not running your own race. 

When we aren’t content with our accomplishments, skill sets, and natural abilities, our first instinct is to compare ourselves to others that we perceive as more successful. 

Making countless attempts to execute the steps successful people took to get where they are in life is usually a waste of time. 

Once you realize your potential and learn to be content with your god-given talents, you’ll be able to identify and appreciate your own strengths and weaknesses.

Personal development and lifelong learning go hand in hand. Therefore, focusing on creating and achieving your goals is a much better bet than playing copy-cat to someone else’s journey. 

Doing so increases the chances for success, and ultimately, helps you reach your final destination much quicker, with no detours or distractions along the way.

Keeping your eyes on your own plate can take you further than you’d ever imagined. 

Fosters a healthy, proactive lifestyle

Depression looms like a dark cloud over those who frequently search for happiness in all the wrong places, people, and things. Many people struggle with setting intentional goals and lack the motivation needed to achieve them. 

They measure success by comparing themselves to others or base it on external factors they usually have no control over. 

Attaching your identity and self worth to relationships, financial statuses, and careers isn’t the best practice because those things can easily be stripped away.

That’s why it’s imperative to be content with what you have and to love your inner self. When we put our interests first rather than adopting others, we free up more mental space to focus on personal development strategies. 

Doing this leads to a healthier, proactive lifestyle, because we are hyper focused on individualized goals, which may range from weight loss, transitioning to a new career, starting a business, or dedicating more time to family and intimate relationships.

Leads to financial fitness

There was once a point in my life when I aspired to achieve a lifestyle well beyond my means. 

I researched how much money it would take to attain a certain financial status, completely unaware of the sacrifices I’d have to make in order to sustain it.

Not to mention the persistent rise in cost of living and stagnant wages that continued to move the goalpost I just couldn’t seem to reach. 

By the time I reached one income level, the material things I wanted were still out of my budget. Overtime, I became tired of running on the hamster wheel of capitalism and fighting tooth and nail to reach an American dream, which doesn’t exist.

Eventually, I defined what success looked like for me and discovered that I only need little to feel satisfied. I didn’t need an enormous home, designer clothes and handbags, or to work for a prestigious company with a respectable title.

Instead of chasing more money, I became more conscious of my spending habits. I created a weekly budget and a yearly savings plan for my personal investment goals. 

Paying full price for any item was a deal breaker. I focused more on creating additional streams of income to meet my monthly savings goals instead of looking for higher paying jobs with less work/life balance and strenuous workloads.

If you were to be content with what you have right now, would you still be able to live comfortably?

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How much money remains once I pay my bills?
• How much money do I need for food, personal needs, hobbies, and entertainment?
• What are your monthly savings goals?
•  What expenses can you cut back on or remove completely?

Take inventory of your finances. How much money is coming in and what’s going out? Do you have enough money to remain stable in your current living situations? 

Learn to be content with what you have to become financially fit

benefit FROM a simpler life

Less decisions. 

Fewer possessions. 

Smaller friend circles and less drama. 

All the above contribute to a much happier, simplified life. Eliminating catalysts to stress is much better than taking on unnecessary worries or willingly getting involved in traumatic events.

Purchasing the items you need not only pads your savings account, but it also contributes to less clutter in the home. 

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle leads to living with less, the ability to rest, and overall better well-being.

Is it good to be content?

Being content yields favorable outcomes more often than not. However, it’s not an excuse to remain stagnant and complacent in unfavorable living situations. 

Dissatisfaction and discomfort help motivate people to elevate their lifestyles. Intentional goal setting and reaching milestones are invaluable for self-improvement. 

Contentment results in healthier living practices, greater confidence, and helps us to focus on where we are now and providing direction for the future.

Want to learn how to live simply? Start your simplicity living journey today by taking the 31-day simple living challenge. Download your FREE copy here!