A Life of Meaning, Without Buying

There are great reasons to stop seeking externally for something we can only find within

When we buy something, we’re often hoping to get something from the purchase beyond the actual item, like a feeling or an improved experience of life. Iryna Inshyna/Shutterstock

Lately, I’ve been buying a lot of things: a nice watch, some cool folding knives, some tools, and outdoor gear. It’s fun!

But as I give in to these impulse purchases, I notice that the thrill doesn’t last that long, and it leaves me wanting more. And of course it dawns on me that this is a lesson I’ve learned a thousand times.