"We live in an age when unnecessary things are our only necessities"

This quote is really getting at the idea that we’ve come to a point in time where we’re obsessed with things we don’t actually need. It’s like we’ve traded in the essentials for a bunch of extras that, when you really think about it, don’t add much value to our lives. Yet, somehow, these extras have become the things we feel we can’t live without.

Now, this thought has some deep roots in both history and our current societal context. Think back to the early 20th century, consumerism started to take hold. You've heard of the Roaring Twenties, right? People were buying cars, radios, and all sorts of gadgets that were new and exciting—yet not strictly necessary. Fast forward to now, and we’ve taken that to a whole new level. In today's world, technology has us hooked. We’ve got smart refrigerators, watches that track our every move, and phones that are practically extensions of ourselves. Are they cool? Absolutely. But necessary? Not really.

Let’s look at a real-life example. Imagine Sarah, a young professional. She wakes up, checks her smartphone, scrolls through social media, and reads the news—all before even getting out of bed. Her home is filled with smart devices: a thermostat that adjusts the temperature based on her habits, a coffee maker that starts brewing as she wakes up, and a virtual assistant that controls her lights. Now, none of these things are essential for living. Sarah could easily make coffee the old-fashioned way or adjust the thermostat manually. But in her mind, these gadgets are indispensable. They’ve become her necessities.

So how do you apply this wisdom to your life? Start by identifying the things you truly need versus the things you’ve convinced yourself you need. Here’s a little exercise: next time you find yourself reaching for your phone to buy something new, pause for a second. Ask yourself, "Do I need this, or do I just want it because it’s cool or convenient?" You might be surprised at how often the answer is the latter.

Think about when you were a kid. Remember how you didn't have all these gadgets and still had a great time? You played outside, used your imagination, and made do with what you had. That’s the essence of what we’re talking about. We’ve created a culture where the lines between wants and needs are blurred, and it’s up to us to redraw those lines.

Imagine you're hosting a dinner party. You could go all out with fancy dishes, high-tech cooking gadgets, and a perfectly set table with intricate decorations. Sure, it might impress your guests. But what if, instead, you focused on good food, great company, and genuine conversation? You’d find that the unnecessary stuff doesn’t matter as much. The real joy comes from the experience, not the extras.

In the end, it’s about shifting our mindset. We don’t need to reject modern conveniences altogether, but we should be more mindful. By doing so, we can find a balance that allows us to appreciate what we have without constantly craving more. It's like giving yourself the gift of simplicity in an overly complicated world. So next time you’re tempted by the latest and greatest, take a step back and consider if it’s truly a necessity or just another shiny distraction. You’ll find that often, less really is more.