How to Know When Enough Is Enough: Escaping the Trap of “More is More”
We live in a culture that glorifies hustle. The message is clear: work harder, earn more, climb higher. And if you don’t seize every opportunity today, you might fall behind tomorrow.
Many of the clients I work with come to me in a moment of quiet discontent. On paper, they’ve done everything “right.” They’ve built successful careers, accumulated wealth, and checked the boxes society says will lead to happiness. And yet, they feel stuck. Exhausted. Disconnected from the parts of life that matter most—family, health, creativity, joy.
When we dig deeper, a common thread emerges: they don’t know when enough is enough.
Instead of enjoying the fruits of their labor, they’re running a race with no finish line.
And here’s the truth: without a clear definition of enough, we are forever chasing more.
The Trap of Conditional Living
“I’ll slow down once I hit this next milestone.”
“I can’t afford to make a change right now.”
“This opportunity might never come again.”
These thoughts are rooted in what psychologists call scarcity mindset—the belief that there’s never quite enough time, money, or security to make a change. It’s the voice that says, “Keep pushing now, and maybe someday you’ll get to rest.”
But someday often keeps moving.
In the prime of their earning years, many people sacrifice their health, their time, and even their values on the altar of future flexibility. Ironically, by the time they’ve “made it,” they’re often too depleted to enjoy it—or they’ve lost sight of what they were working for in the first place.
Why the “More Is Better” Myth Persists
There’s a deeply embedded cultural belief that more is always better. More income means more options. More status. More validation. More security.
And in many ways, that belief holds some truth. Financial stability does provide freedom. Strategic career moves can open doors. Building wealth gives you a platform to make choices aligned with your values.
But at some point, more becomes diminishing returns.
More money doesn’t necessarily mean more peace.
More opportunities don’t always mean more joy.
More success doesn’t guarantee more fulfillment.
That’s why the concept of enough is so radical—and so necessary.
Defining Your “Enough”
So how do you know when enough is enough?
You start by getting crystal clear on your why.
Your “why” is the north star that guides your financial, career, and lifestyle decisions.
It’s the deeper reason behind your goals. The legacy you want to leave. The values you want to embody.
When you’re clear on your why, you can make decisions from a place of abundance—not fear.
Here are three questions to reflect on:
- What are you working for?
- What matters more to you than money?
- If you had total financial freedom, how would you spend your time?
Once you have clarity around these answers, the next step is to examine your motivation.
Check the Engine Behind Your Decisions
Are you making choices out of alignment with your values because you’re afraid?
Afraid of losing status? Afraid of missing out? Afraid of disappointing others?
Or perhaps afraid of finding out who you are without the title or the paycheck?
When fear is driving the bus, burnout isn’t far behind.
Many of my clients are surprised to learn that financial security doesn’t always require more. Sometimes it requires different. A different lifestyle, different priorities, or a different definition of success.
You can’t figure that out if you’re constantly chasing.
You figure it out by pausing long enough to listen.
Set Boundaries Around Your Energy
Once you’ve aligned your goals with your values and examined your motivations, the final step is to set boundaries—especially in the five core areas we call the Five Levers: Finances, Health, Mindset, Relationships, and Time.
Ask yourself:
- Finances: What is the minimum income I need to support a joyful, values-aligned life?
- Health: What are the non-negotiables for my physical and mental well-being?
- Mindset: What beliefs do I need to release to feel more free?
- Relationships: Who fills me up, and who drains me?
- Time: Where does my time go—and does it reflect my priorities?
These boundaries become your personal guardrails. They keep you from saying yes to everything just because you can. They help you stop reacting and start choosing.
Knowing When to Let Go
One of the hardest truths to accept is that financial security is not always about holding on. Sometimes, it’s about letting go—of the job that’s draining you, the clients who no longer align, the version of yourself who thought success only came through sacrifice.
You don’t need to walk away from your career tomorrow. But you do need to start asking the right questions today:
- What does authentic wealth look like for me?
- If I keep doing what I’m doing, what will life look like in five years?
- What am I postponing for “someday”—and what would it take to bring it closer?
The Power of a Financial Plan That Honors Your Life
Here’s where financial planning comes full circle. It’s not just about accumulating assets. It’s about creating options.
When you have a plan rooted in your values, you can make bold choices from a place of calm confidence. You can take a sabbatical. Pivot your career. Downshift. Reinvest in relationships. Volunteer. Rest.
You can finally say, “This is enough”—and mean it.
Final Thoughts: What If You’re Closer Than You Think?
Many of the people I work with are far closer to “enough” than they realize. They just haven’t paused to define it.
They’ve been so busy trying to get ahead that they never stopped to ask: Ahead of what?
If any part of this resonates with you, consider this your invitation to slow down and reevaluate. You are allowed to want more life, not just more money.
Because at the end of the day, authentic wealth isn’t measured by how much you earn.
It’s measured by how fully you live.
Ready to Define Your Enough?
If you’re ready to explore what “enough” looks like for you—and how to build a financial plan that supports it—we’d love to help. At Abaris Financial Group, we integrate traditional financial planning with life coaching, values-based decision making, and mindful strategy. Our mission is to help you dream boldly, plan intentionally, and live abundantly.
Let’s make someday today.