Material lifestyle not improving well-being

Apparently material prosperity doesn't necessarily lead to human thriving.

 "In affluent countries such as the UK, well-being is not on average increasing even though GDP has grown substantially. Part of the problem is that any positive increase in well-being due to economic prosperity is being quickly eroded by the substantial knock-on costs of mental ill-health, dementias, obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, loneliness and cardiovascular disease (including strokes) which affect many people."

and this...

The research team has undertaken an analysis of the negative side-effects of our existing consumer patterns on six critical factors which can help improve our health and well-being.
         These factors are:

• Eating healthy food;
• Being physically active;
• Having a healthy mind;
• Linking in with community and family;
• Contact with nature and green/blue space;
• Attachment to meaningful possessions.

The full article can be read here.

I think the conclusion of this study forms the basis of the Early-Retirement/Financial-Independence (FIRE) movement, as articulated today by bloggers like Jacob and MMM. As I understand it, the approach they both describe doesn't involve the mindless accumulation of wealth for wealth's sake--or early "retirement" for retirement's sake--but rather serves as the foundation upon which a thriving life is built. It invites the reader to consider more carefully what actually contributes to their well-being, and encourages them to focus on these factors when making decisions about their life.

It seems to me that, while material prosperity provides the necessary resources for allowing humans to thrive, it does not guarantee it.

Much like the study cited above, the emphasis is on developing a healthy mind and body that is in touch with its family, community, nature, and possessions. Elevating these factors above one's career, convenience, and desire to own expensive things, is what--in my humble opinion--makes the FIRE movement about more than money and frugality and retiring early from mandatory work.

It is at the root, I think, about making space so that we  might attend mindfully to the health of ourselves and others, our relationships, our homes, and the environment in which we all live, and upon which we all depend.

Something to consider, maybe.