Thanksgiving is approaching, which is a significant time to express gratitude. It’s a time to be grateful for the things and people we have in our lives. However, the amplification of overconsumption by social media leaves people with a constant and growing need to own more things. This exposure to overconsumption causes people to feel discontent, making it harder to appreciate and be grateful for the things they already have. It creates a cycle where people seek fleeting satisfaction from buying things that leave them unsatisfied within a few days, which drives them to buy and consume even more.
One reason for this struggle with gratitude is the hedonic treadmill, which is “the tendency for transitory satisfactions to eventually give way to indifference or even dissatisfaction,” according to research from Carnegie Mellon University. The hedonic treadmill causes adaptation, which reduces the enjoyment derived from material possessions. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, it is challenging for humans to remain happy with what they have because feelings of satisfaction fade over time as we adapt to new things. This causes people to pursue the next best thing to experience that pleasure again.
Another reason for the lack of gratitude is prioritizing extrinsic values, such as fame, recognition and material possessions, over intrinsic values like love, friendship and knowledge, which leads to comparison. This comparison triggers feelings of envy and inadequacy in people, making them overlook what they have. Similarly, fixating on one’s lack over their abundance creates anxiety that makes people worry they don't have enough, which gives them a need to hoard and buy more.
The result of this ingratitude has devastating consequences for the environment, as well as emotional and social well-being. It leads to pollution, anxiety, and damaged relationships. The dissatisfaction left by overconsumption encourages people to replace perfectly working items, which increases waste and exhausts natural resources. According to a study from Duke University, ungrateful people have a harder time coping with adversity, which makes them more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Ingratitude harms relationships by fostering entitlement, making people less willing to do generous acts, which is important for maintaining healthy relationships.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on ways to cultivate gratitude. Having a gratitude journal or setting daily gratitude rituals is a great way to foster a grateful mindset. Another way is by writing thank-you notes to show appreciation to others. Making a gratitude jar or gratitude photos is a creative way to make the experience better. Additionally, being mindful of spending habits promotes gratefulness by reducing overconsumption and boosting life satisfaction.
Being grateful is an important part of living. It fosters relationships, reduces anxiety and depression, and boosts happiness. Splurging once in a while is perfectly fine, but making it a lifestyle can lessen the awareness of abundance already present in life.