Freedom Through Simplicity

The Cynic experiment raises a question worth taking seriously: how much of what you consider necessary is actually essential? Diogenes found that eliminating wants brought more happiness than satisfying them.

How many of your purchases came from genuine need versus social comparison? How many hours go to maintaining things rather than enjoying experiences? The Cynics would call every unnecessary object a tiny chain — and they would add that the link between comfort and contentment is far less straightforward than advertising suggests.