No matter what a person is doing they will be bombarded by it. From watching TV to reading a magazine, its presence makes itself known. Commericals and ads encouraging people to buy more products and bigger homes are everywhere in the world and are impossible to ignore. Many people have questioned whether owning more items and bigger homes actually increases a person’s happiness. Some go to the extremes to make themselves happier such as being a minimalist living in a tiny apartment to owning a mansion with more stuff than they know what to do with.
Graham Hill in his TED talk, Less Stuff, More Happiness, talks about this very issue. He believes that people will be happier living with less stuff in less space. However, in reality, people are happier with more stuff in a bigger space. Many people dream of having more space to live in. Increasing the amount of space you have can increase your happiness. One struggle for young people is having a place of their own. Many young people move back in with their parents or get a roomate to help pay rent.
Moving in with someone after being independent can be upsetting to the person themself and whoever they live with. If the people don’t get along well, the situation can be even worse. Lack of privacy and freedom from sharing a small place can result in more disagreements and even a hostile environment. Being able to live in a bigger space would give each person more privacy and freedom to do what they please. Given these things, people will be happier in the long run. Other times, parents have to try to squeeze themselves and their kids in a tiny apartment in order to be able to pay the bills.
This many people in such a small space is not ideal, yet unfortunately, it’s a reality for many poor families. The kids have less room to play and run around, especially if they can’t disturb the neighbors. Living in an bigger place would allow the kids to run and play more, and as a result, be happier. Having more space also enables people to invite their friends and family over. It’s always fun when friends and family come over to hang out. Plus it’s cheaper than going out and doing something.
At home, a person can do things with their friends that will create memories that might not be possible in a small space. A bigger space allows a person to do more, have more, and be happier. People buy and receive items throughout their whole life. To a certain extent, these items can provide happiness. Studies have shown that when people buy an item they want, the brain is flooded with dopamine. Of course nobody needs everything they want, but there is no harm in buying something reasonable that will be used. Also, having more stuff gives people more things to do.
No child just has one toy or game. The same goes for adults. Having more movies, books, video games, etc. gives people more to do by themselves or with friends. It helps keep boredom away and gives people joy. In addition, some things are also part of a hobby that give people joy. It’s also common for people to give an object a priceless value. Objects that are associated with memories such as souveniers or a childhood toy can produce happiness. For many people, treasured items are too hard to throw away. Buying and keeping certain items can provide joy.
Graham Hill, the speaker in the TED talk Less Stuff, More Happiness, states that self storage facilities have become increasingly popular, because people have so much stuff but no where to put it. Without all this stuff, they would be happier. However, many people who use self storage facilites don’t use it to store all their unused items. Storage units are frequently used to store inventory for a business that people run out of their home. Another common reason for renting a storage unit is when a family has to suddenly move.
Wherever they are moving to for a short period time doesn’t have enough space for their stuff, so they rent a storage unit. In the video, Hill states that a person doesn’t really need much to be happy. Although this is true to a certain extent, it’s an extreme. There is no need for one person to live in a mansion, but people are happier when living in an adequte amount of space. They have more freedom to do as they please without feeling cramped. Hill also mentions his ideal apartment that includes a movable wall and convertable furniture. He claims that by doing this, people will save money and therefore be happier.
In the long run, however, converting a tiny apartment and buying special furniture will cost more than buying an average size apartment. Being a minimalist doesn’t make you save money or be happier. At a glance, having less stuff and living in a smaller space may seem easier and more convenient. However, for many people, it’s a big hassle. Although it is possible for people to survive with very little possessions and space, it doesn’t improve their happiness. In the long run, having reasonably more space and more stuff will provide the most happiness for everyone.
