Happy With Less

by Raymund Tamayo

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” — Socrates

Happiness, Socrates once said, isn’t about wanting more, but about finding joy in less. In one sentence, he pinpointed a key problem today and offered a straightforward solution.

It’s pretty genius, really.

Let’s talk about this idea of enjoying less.

Is it hard to do? Not necessarily, but it does require a shift in how we think. And like most changes, it takes some time to get used to.

Take ube ice cream for example. If you love it like I do, would you want to eat the whole tub in one sitting? That’s often what happens when we’re faced with something we really desire.

But what if you could learn to truly savor just a few bites? With each teaspoonful, you appreciate the taste, the coldness, the creamy texture, and that rich ube flavor.

If you love shopping for clothes, could you instead focus on owning a few high-quality pieces you enjoy rather than constantly buying more?

This applies to everything we love — even how we spend time online. We’re often fixated on more — more emails, more social media, more news. But what if we focused only on the content that adds real value? If something doesn’t, maybe it’s time to let it go.

Whether it’s TV, shopping, eating out, or technology, learning to enjoy less can bring greater satisfaction. 

When we embrace less, we learn to appreciate more deeply. And that’s where true happiness lies — the more we can find joy in less, the closer we get to a content and fulfilling life.