As I get older, I reflect on the complexity of everyday life. How much of fine living is curtailed by obstacles of our own making? Going through the process of unwinding my own devices, I am now more careful and thoughtful to consider the things I implement in my life. From the things I own, to the systems and processes that keep my life in workable order. More importantly the company I keep.
The easiest thing to tackle (although it is not simple) and a good starting point is the physical objects in your life. All the stuff in your living environment. A fantastic quote from the book/movie Fight Club "the things that you own, own you" comes to mind. It is without question that objects you possess take up mental shelf space. How much are our mental closets full of junk because of the things we own? I'm sure that once you start considering these things it will be overwhelming. Some people I talk to get combative about bringing up the subject. People's identity is so intertwined with the things they own and the things they do that they can't tell the difference.
Despite my vigilance on simplifying my space, I am not immune to the constant bombardment of consumerism. Just last week I had the urge to get a couple more monitors because I had this feeling that more pixels would make me more productive. But would it really, or do I just need to do more things that lead to results? I got as far as finding some monitors on Craigslist and emailing the seller, only to stop and reflect on if I really needed more junk in my life. I came to my senses at the last minute, and just like a wave crashing on the beach, the feeling retreated.
Now not only do I have a rule where I need to remove an object before I acquire something, I have to implement a waiting period which might buffer that feeling of gratification, which is only a momentary fantasy.