Why We Always Want Something New (& How to Finally Feel Like You Have Enough) | Eric Athas, Say No to More (EP465)

We’re surrounded by messages telling us that the next thing will make life better: the upgraded phone, the new clothes, the latest productivity system, the newest trend. But what if our constant attraction to new is actually pulling us further away from the life we want?

Today I’m joined by Eric Athas, New York Times editor and author of Saying No to New. Eric explores why novelty is so difficult for our brains to resist, how companies and technology make consumption increasingly frictionless, and why buying something new often gives us only a fleeting sense of satisfaction.

We also talk about something at the heart of minimalism: enough. Instead of simply asking how to declutter what we've accumulated, what if we got better at questioning what enters our lives in the first place? Eric shares how we can recognize persuasion, create more intentional friction before consuming, rediscover the value of what we already have, and become more discerning about what's actually worth welcoming into our homes and lives.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
• Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
• Diane's Resource: The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
• Eric's Resource: Wirecutter
• Connect with Eric
• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Book: Saying No to New: Why New Things Are Stealing Your Time, Money, and Happiness―and How to Take Back Your Life

About Eric |

Eric Athas is an editor at the New York Times, where he helps journalists learn new tools and skills they can use to tell stories. Before joining the Times in 2016, he worked at NPR and the Washington Post. His work has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and the Nieman Journalism Lab. Athas lives with his wife and two children in Brooklyn.

Episode Sponsors |

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The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!

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