Is Less Sometimes More?

As I sit here in this coffee shop I look around and notice the constant chatter, the sound of the espresso machine brewing over and over again. I see people waiting in line impatiently for their fall flavored drinks, craving that extra boost to get them through their busy day. I see groups of people sitting together in completely different worlds, too captured by their obsession with social media and posting the cutest photos that will illuminate their unique fun lives. Do they even notice the coffee being placed on their table? I sit here silently wondering why our society has become so fixated on proving to the world that we’re happy and living our best lives. Why isn’t it enough to just be genuinely happy? Why must we broadcast it to the rest of the world? 

As I sit here in this coffee shop, I let my mind wander and dig deeper into these thoughts. Materialistic possessions are not what will bring us happiness. I myself am guilty of getting trapped in the web of wanting more and being envious of others possessions and experiences. But my soul craves more than just that. I crave connection, passion, affection. I crave a coffee shop where I can sit here and listen to intelligent conversations that explore concepts that challenge my mind or spark a new idea. I crave inspiration and motivation to improve myself, but also comfort in who I am right now despite every other success I am surrounded by. 

Living in a world that is focused on wanting more and more and new and better is exhausting. As college students, we are drowned in expectations. These expectations can drive us to succeed and grow into the people we’ve always hoped to be. But these expectations can also be debilitating and cloud our true intentions and goals. I really want to sit in this coffee shop and read every book that’s so neatly tucked away in each bookcase. I want to get lost in each individual world. I want to learn more about what I’m passionate about and discover new passions that I never even knew I had. What do you really want to do?

So as you sit in your dorm or in a library or wherever you are right now, just think about what it is that you really want. And then focus on how you can get there. What can you cut out of your daily life that is only distracting you and not helping you reach this goal? Living a simple and humble life truly is sometimes more.