Everyone has desires. Some people have many, others have fewer—but desires are part of being human. What often troubles us is not the presence of desires, but when they start to control us.
We are born with desires. As children, we want to play, watch TV, eat candy, or snack on something tasty. As we grow older, our desires grow with us: we want a nice car, a beautiful home, a loving partner, a successful career, and the latest gadgets. We start craving luxury, comfort, and convenience—often without realizing how deeply attached we’ve become to those wants. The problem is, we always want more. And when we don’t get what we want, we feel upset, disappointed, or even angry.
This constant wanting leads to dissatisfaction. When we’re healthy, we dream of a hundred things—forgetting how lucky we are to simply have the ability to see, breathe, walk, taste, and touch. These basic blessings are the very things some people only dream of. Yet we often take them for granted.
Modern life has made this even more challenging. With technology constantly evolving and making life easier, we are tempted more than ever. Take e-commerce, for example. It’s a wonderful invention—I personally love it. But with just a swipe of a finger, we can order anything without even stepping outside. It’s incredibly convenient, but it also feeds our desire to consume more. Why stop at one thing when getting another is so easy?
This “I want” mindset—I want this, I want that, I want things to go my way—can be dangerous. When life doesn’t meet our expectations, we feel dissatisfied. We start asking, “Why isn’t life working out for me?” or “Why can’t I get what I want?” This spiral can lead to anxiety, frustration, and even depression.
To live more peacefully, we must become aware of which desires are truly necessary and which are just extra. Most of the time, it’s the unnecessary desires—the things we don’t really need—that weigh us down. Too many “things” can make life feel heavier, more stressful, and more complicated.
What I’ve started doing is simple but effective: whenever I catch myself wanting something, I pause. I give myself a minute or two to reflect. Is this really necessary? Do I truly need this, or is it just a passing urge? If I realize it’s unnecessary, I let it go. It’s not always easy, but it helps me regain control over my thoughts and find more peace in everyday life.