I can’t get no satisfaction…

The path to a happy life has been discussed for many years, and one of the Ancient Greece Hellenistic School of thought: the Stoics, said that life is pain and misery, and to want something or desire it is to suffer for not having it. Centuries later, Schopenhauer the philosopher studied Buddhism and said that we cannot have satisfaction, because we want things and we suffer for not having them, so when we get them we lose interest, and we now suffer for another thing until we can get it, and so on. the same thing explained Diderot:

“The French philosopher Denis Diderot lived nearly his entire life in poverty, but that all changed one day in 1765. Diderot’s daughter was about to be married and he could not afford to pay for the wedding. Despite his lack of wealth, Diderot was well known for his role as the co-founder and writer of Encyclopédie, one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of the time. When Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia, heard of Diderot’s financial troubles, her heart went out to him. She was a book lover and greatly enjoyed his encyclopedia. She offered to buy Diderot’s personal library for £1,000—more than $150,000 today.fn1 Suddenly, Diderot had money to spare. With his new wealth, he not only paid for the wedding but also acquired a scarlet robe for himself. Diderot’s scarlet robe was beautiful. So beautiful, in fact, that he immediately noticed how out of place it seemed when surrounded by his more common possessions. He wrote that there was “no more coordination, no more unity, no more beauty” between his elegant robe and the rest of his stuff. (James Clear. “Atomic Habits”)

It is an eternal cycle of dissatisfaction, even the rock band The Rolling Stones wrote a song about it:

«I can’t get no satisfaction
I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no

When I’m driving in my car
When a man come on the radio
He’s telling me more and more
About some useless information
Supposed to fire my imagination…»

In today’s materialistic society, the pursuit of wealth often leads to an increase in our expenses. As our financial resources expand, so do our desires and the perceived needs for a more lavish lifestyle. This pattern is observed time and again as people’s financial status improves.

With greater financial means, individuals often seek to enhance their quality of life by indulging in more luxurious experiences and acquiring possessions that were once considered out of reach. The allure of a higher income can tempt us to spend more, leading to a continuous cycle of increasing expenditure.

We find ourselves drawn to the finer things in life, whether it be dining at upscale restaurants, taking exotic vacations, or buying the latest gadgets. The desire to keep up with the Joneses becomes more pronounced as we unlock the possibilities that come with greater affluence.

In the end, the key lies in striking a harmonious equilibrium between our desire for more and the need to save and invest for the future. A judicious approach to wealth management and responsible spending habits can ensure that our increased financial resources lead to long-term security and fulfillment, rather than a perpetual cycle of extravagance.