How To Enjoy The Finer Things In Life While Fostering Mental Wellness

In addition to societal and environmental impacts, consumerism can lead to serious individual challenges—particularly when it’s marked by overconsumption, financial strain, or the desire to keep up with others. However, it is possible to enjoy the finer things in life (which aren’t always possessions) while focusing on sustainability, social responsibility, and mental and financial well-being. Taking time to enjoy certain experiences and belongings can be empowering, allowing you to practice self-care and foster mental and physical wellness. Below, we’re discussing the finer things in life: what they are and how you can enjoy them in mindful and responsible ways. 

What does it mean to enjoy the finer things?

Enjoying “the finer things” in life means deriving pleasure from possessions or experiences that you value highly. It’s important to note that enjoying the finer things in life does not have to mean spending large amounts of money or accumulating luxury items. Of course, it can sometimes involve lasting, high-quality items—for example, an individual certainly enjoys the finer things when they restore a vintage car or purchase a new computer. However, it can also involve spending time with loved ones, enjoying your good health, or doing other things that provide fulfillment and purpose. 

Fine living can mean having a long lunch, listening to classical music, or going for a walk on a sunny day. It can involve preserving or restoring possessions that were passed down from relatives or buying a designer piece secondhand. Enjoying the finer things is simply about appreciating well-made or -curated possessions or experiences. 

Examples of the finer things

“The finer things” can refer to a wide range of goods and services. The definition of “the finer things” can also vary widely from person to person. The following are some common examples of things people might think of as falling under this category.

Goods

There are many items that may be considered “fine” in this context. For some people, the finer things are durable, well-constructed goods. For example, a nice handbag that is made to last, with high-quality materials and hardware, can be highly valuable to some people. For others, the finer things may be heirlooms that have been passed down through their family for generations. Others may derive pleasure from items that they don’t own, like a good book borrowed from the library or a nice bicycle borrowed from a friend. 

Consumables

A fine consumable can be anything from a well-rolled cigar to artisanal coffee beans. For many, well-cooked meals are the height of fine living. Creative preparations and quality ingredients can elevate meals, even when the recipes are familiar. Even common household consumables like soaps, stationery, or candles can be enjoyed as finer things. 

Experiences and services

Having a suit tailored or spending a night at a five-star hotel can be highly enjoyable, but an experience does not have to be expensive to be fine. You may derive a significant amount of value from time spent relaxing in nature or sitting and talking with friends and family members. For some, volunteering can be a highly valuable activity, allowing them to contribute to a cause that they care about. Fine living can simply involve meaningful experiences that contribute to an individual’s well-being. 

Potential concerns with consumerism

While possessions and experiences can sometimes add value to our lives, they can also be associated with overconsumption, exploitation, and environmental degradation. The following are some potential concerns you might hear related to consumerism. 

Environmental effects

Particularly with the rise of fast fashion, which involves rapidly producing large amounts of trendy clothing, the ecological impacts of materialism are already manifesting in various ways. Consumer demand for clothes alone has been connected to climate change, excess waste, and the diminishment of resources. 

Social effects

Concerns about the exploitation of labor, wealth inequality, and cultural appropriation also arise out of consumerism. Many companies take advantage of exploitative labor practices in other countries so that they can produce their goods more cheaply. There is also an established connection between income inequality and consumption. Furthermore, marginalized groups often have certain features of their culture copied and sold in ways that do not appropriately represent them and do not financially benefit them. 

Impacts on self-value

A focus on materialism can encourage consumers to acquire more (or more expensive) goods, which can cause individuals to feel inadequate if they aren’t keeping up with trends or enjoying luxurious experiences. For example, an individual who sees people on social media going on expensive vacations may feel that they are missing out if they’re not doing the same, potentially leading to lower self-esteem. There is evidence to suggest that consumption can affect self-esteem through factors like the media and other advertising channels. 

Mental health and consumerism

Research indicates that consumerism can have a negative effect on well-being as well. For example, in one study, researchers suggest that materialism is negatively correlated with sufficiency, mindfulness, and focus—meaning that materialism may result in low levels of these traits. 

Because of consumerist culture, some individuals also tie their self-worth to their belongings, which can lead to a desire for increased consumption and persistent unhappiness. In addition, debt and other financial challenges related to overspending can lead to elevated stress levels. 

Habitual spending can be another concern for consumers. Shopping addiction is a behavioral disorder that involves excessive spending, often on unnecessary products or services. For some, compulsive buying is an attempt to cope with challenges in life. However, this habit can exacerbate mental health concerns and lead to further complications, such as financial distress. 

For individuals living with mental health concerns related to materialism, psychotherapy may be helpful. A therapist can help an individual identify the sources of any negative mental health impacts related to consumption and help with the development of healthy coping strategies. They can also address symptoms of any mental health conditions that may be related to consumerism, such as depression and anxiety. 

How to enjoy the finer things in life

Getting creative, taking a minimalist approach, and practicing gratitude for what you already have may help you live well without contributing to the negative effects of consumerism. The following are some tips for enjoying the finer things in life. 

Practice mindful consumption

Mindfulness involves fostering a sense of presence through increased awareness. This practice can be applied to consumption when individuals consider the social, environmental, and mental health effects of purchases. Practicing mindful consumption can also involve donating or passing down items that you no longer use or upcycling items that you’ve already used. For example, wine bottles can make for eye-catching vases or light fixtures.

Get creative

There are several things you can do to embrace fine living without spending a lot of money. For example, if you’re interested in a spa day, you can often get affordable bodywork treatments at massage schools. Or, if you’re a lover of fine dining, you might take a cooking class, invest in some unique spices, and/or ask a talented friend for tips so you can learn to make your own gourmet food at home.

Consider the quality

Possessions that are durable and made with high-quality materials may hold up over time and end up providing you with a better value than items that are made without as much care. For example, vintage designer clothing bought at a consignment store may cost a bit more than items bought at a less-expensive retailer, but they may also last a lot longer. 

Appreciate the finer things you already have

Caring for or restoring items that you already own can allow you to enjoy the finer things without the effects of overconsumption or materialism. Consider whether you have belongings that have fallen into disrepair. Do you have a watch that needs a new battery? A jacket that needs to be patched up? When you put time and energy into maintaining your possessions, you may come to enjoy them more in addition to them likely lasting longer. 

Additionally, practicing gratitude may help you avoid feelings of inadequacy regarding your belongings or life experiences. Consider keeping a gratitude journal or jotting down a few things for which you’re grateful each morning or evening. 

Embrace minimalism

Avoiding acquiring “stuff” as much as possible may help you save money, avoid clutter, and avoid some negative impacts of hyperconsumption. Instead, you might focus on having a smaller selection of well-made goods. You may also apply a minimalist approach to experiences, participating in fewer activities or services and instead enjoying every moment of those you do partake in. Participating in a sharing economy in your neighborhood (e.g., libraries, local BuyNothing groups, clothing swaps with good friends, etc.) could also allow you to use items you may need or want while keeping a more minimalist lifestyle.

Practicing mindful consumption with online therapy

If you’re interested in learning about mindfulness, the mental health effects of consumerism, or related topics, you might consider working with a therapist. If you’re unable to or uninterested in attending in-person sessions, you might explore online therapy instead. Online therapy can be a convenient and affordable option for those looking to develop a healthier relationship with consumption.  

How online therapy can help you embrace the finer things in life

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can address mental health challenges related to consumption with a licensed therapist remotely, through video call, voice call, and/or in-app messaging. Online therapy is also typically more affordable than in-person sessions without insurance.

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The effectiveness of online therapy

Studies indicate that online therapy may be able to help people address mental health challenges related to consumption. In a systematic review that involved 12 studies, for example, researchers suggest that online therapy may lead to reductions in symptoms of online behavioral addictions, including compulsive buying. The review also notes that online therapy has “the potential to reach a wider group of help seekers” than in-person forms of care. 

Takeaway

Embracing the finer things in life doesn’t have to involve expensive purchases or large collections of possessions. It can simply mean savoring meaningful experiences, embracing a minimalist lifestyle, and valuing what you already have. If you’re interested in learning about how consumerism and mental health are connected, consider working with a licensed therapist. With the right support, you may be better able to enjoy the finer things in life—one of them being mental wellness.