I used to use mottos like this one.

After all, what’s the point if you can’t enjoy a glass of wine and a piece of cake, right? The trouble is, for me, those things cost me far more happiness than they ever brought.

I wanted to enjoy them but they were a source of anxiety for me. It wasn’t until I faced that fact and decided to do something about it that I began to experience more happiness.

I am certain there are people who gain nothing but pleasure from buying and eating and drinking – but I imagine they are rare. For the rest of us, we have to tell ourselves these little stories about how life is short and we deserve these things – and then we have to turn a blind eye to the things they take from us and the way they make us feel about ourselves.

For the rest of us, I think there is more power in saying:

.

Admittedly, it’s less catchy and less appealing but I think a lot of us would be a lot happier if we followed that advice – and we’d need smaller jeans and less shoe storage too!

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