This is why we don't have nice things

I sigh gently as I watch the glistening black Mercedes pull out of the staff car park at the end of a particularly tiresome night shift.

That would be nice - I think as my fifteen year old VW golf splutters to life.

Then the reality check hits

I have it so good. A quick reality check:

• 700 million people don't have access to safe drinking water
• King Henry VIII didn't have central heating or a microwave
• No amount of wealth on earth would have brought me the technology and convenience I enjoy today, just 100 years ago
• Only four generations ago it was commonplace to die from infections we now deem 'inconvenient' and for which we may not even take a day off work
• Driving my family to London in two hours would have been straight up impossible 75 years ago, let alone in my own personal vehicle that can do over 100mph

And I'm sat here wishing my vehicle was a bit shinier, a bit faster, a bit more glamorous?

Come on.

We have a warm, dry house with drinking water, a fridge full of food, and a car to take us where we want to go, whenever we want. I am wealthier than millions could have ever imagined.

They'll wreck it anyway

There's no point buying nice stuff with young kids at home. They'll just trash it and remind you how silly it is placing value in objects.

In fact, the nice thing will only generate more stress as you worry about it more than you need to.

My car may not be the best, the fastest or the shiniest, but I can park it anywhere I like and not worry for a second about whether it's going to get scratched or dented while I'm away - it doesn't matter.

Ignore everyone else

There is such pressure in our modern consumerist world to have nice stuff, to keep up with the neighbours, to have it all.

• Get off social media
• Focus on the now
• Realise that there will always be something else to buy

There is a wonderful quote that goes:

"The definition of success is having adult kids that want to spend time with you."

They don't care if you had a swanky car or a massive home while they grew up. They just want to spend time with a happy, present parent who doesn't sweat the little things like a scratched car or crayon on the walls.