“So, concerning the things we pursue, and for which we vigorously exert ourselves, we owe this consideration: either there is nothing useful in them, or most aren’t useful. Some of them are superfluous, while others aren’t worth that much. But we don’t discern this and see them as free, when they cost us dearly.”
-SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 42.6
Of Seneca’s many letters,this is probably one ofthe most important and one of the least understood. He’s making a point that goes
unheard in a society of ever bigger houses and ever more possessions: that there’s a hidden cost to all that accumulating. And the sooner we’re aware of it, the better.
Remember: even what we get for free has a cost, if only in what we pay to store it -in our garages and in our minds. As you walk past your possessions today, ask yourself: Do I need this? Is it superfluous? What’s this actually worth? What is it costing me?
You might be surprised by the answers and how much we’ve been paying without even knowing it.
Holiday, R., & Hanselman, S. (2016). The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living. Portfolio.
I often think we become slaves to our possessions. Owning a large house means more space to clean. Expensive furniture can lead to constant vigilance, worrying about spills or damage. And with a fancy carpet, we might hesitate even to step on it. This preoccupation with the maintenance of our belongings allows mere objects to influence our emotions, a power I believe they should never possess.
I’ve observed parents scolding their children for simply resting their feet on a couch – but isn’t a couch meant to offer comfort? Delving deeper, it’s startling to realize how significantly our possessions and their upkeep dictate our actions. This not only costs us financially but also consumes time and occupies valuable space in our minds. The irony is that many of these items demand our daily attention and energy, yet we seldom use or enjoy them to their fullest. Consider a swimming pool: maintained all year to pristine condition, only to be used on a few summer days.
Truly, there are only a handful of things in life that are essential. The rest are merely desires, and being able to discern between the two is crucial for living a life in control, free from the emotional turbulence caused by material possessions.
My Daily Stoic: