Decide what is enough

Endless wanting steals time and peace; a chosen "enough" gives both back.

Why it works

Seneca argues that the person who always wants more is never rich and never free, because each acquisition just resets the wanting. Hedonic adaptation guarantees the goalposts move, so peace comes from setting a deliberate "enough" rather than waiting to feel satisfied. Naming enough also reclaims the time that endless pursuit consumes.

How to do it

1. Pick a domain where you keep chasing more (money, status, possessions, achievement).
2. Define, concretely, what "enough" would actually be in it.
3. Notice when you’ve passed that line, and redirect the freed time and attention elsewhere.

Evidence

Consistent with research on hedonic adaptation (we revert toward a baseline after gains) and on the weak link between income/possessions and lasting well-being past a point. The "decide enough" practice is the Stoic application of these. (observational)

The adaptation findings are studied; the specific practice is philosophical and not directly tested. "Enough" is personal and not an argument for accepting genuine deprivation.

Common mistake

Setting "enough" as a number you’ll define later, which keeps it perpetually ahead of you. Enough only works if it’s decided in advance and recognized when reached.