Happiness Versus Consumption

Quality of life versus consumption levels.  No Impact Man has an interesting infographic (click graphic for larger view) where he draws out a sort of sine curve debating happiness versus how much you consume.  What he is saying is that the more resources you consume or waste, the more your quality of life starts to decline, but you have to get over the hump first. 

The graph is broken out into three segments with the middle being the sweet spot (obviously).  The left portion is basically starting out with nothing.  You’re living from check-to-check with nothing, not even electricity.  You’re not happy because you are struggling to make it. 

The far right segment, section 3, is where life is more comfortable financially and you’re buying and consuming and wasting.  No Impact Man feels that the farther you go into section 3, the worse you actually feel.  Your worried about where you have to be, what you have to buy, your head is crammed with what you have to do.  This isn’t a healthy place to be.  Your life is running you more than vice-versa. 

Then comes the sweet spot.  Somewhere in section two - closest to section one - along the sloped plateau.  You’re not struggling to live and you find time for yourself and your loved ones.  You are conscious of your decisions and actions.  You understand your personal impact on the planet, but it doesn’t bring down your quality of life any. 

To me, this shows that there can be a balance.  You live your life the way you want to in a socially responsible way.  You’re not scraping to get by, yet you’re not buying stuff in excess.  This graph will mean different things for each person as you apply it to your own life.  I want to live as green as I can be, but I know that there are products I use and choices I make that don’t always fit in to what one would call green.  I recognize that fact and eliminate as much waste as I can and am aware of it when I am making “bad” choices.  Anyway - I thought it was interesting.  Analyze it for yourself and see what you think…

P.S. I’m at #3 working backwards…and I’d guess a lot of us are…

Source: No Impact Man