WantingDid you know there is a name for this kind of wanting? Mimesis. Or mimetic desire. What gravity is to physics, mimesis is to why we want. The concept was invented by the French philosopher René Girard in the 1960s, and written about by the author Luke Burgis in his brilliant 2021 book, Wanting. The basic idea is that we learn through imitation to want the same things other people have. Mimesis is the engine that powers desire, and it’s a basic human condition. It’s also why there are so many Kim Kardashian clones everywhere. We’re all going to want, but the invitation at The Enoughness is to interrogate those wants a little bit more and edit out the ones that are surplus to requirements. Read “I’m in My Enoughness Era Babe” Discover Luke Burgis Mindset shiftHere’s a fun and empowering little game I use every time I want something. Say “Hi!” to your wanting Think of it as a messenger. You don’t need to stop wanting. That would be boring. You just need to say “I see you.” Then stop letting it grab the microphone and run the show. Name what you wantPut that desire in the spotlight, alone. See it for what it is, from every angle. (This, by the way, is what many designers do to see if an object or item they have designed is worth putting out into the world.) Insert the pauseBecause pausing is the difference between being at the mercy of the moment and being the editor of the moment.
Be the editor
Ask: how will this improve my life/mood? Do I have something like this already? If yes, cancel the wanting and go and appreciate that thing, instead. If no, buy or do that thing.
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