One of our favorite Greek philosophers, Epicurus, believed that empty desires are a key source of human suffering. The good news for us is that desires are mostly under our control. We can cultivate, shape, or limit them. Epicurus classified desire into three categories.
Necessary desires: Food, water, shelter, clothing, and security; the basic human needs. Easy to satisfy, limited, and they remove pain when met, providing tranquility. We also have social and intellectual needs, such as companionship, friendship, and the study of nature.
Unnecessary desires (Amped up Human needs): Exotic foods, fine wines, McMansions, the latest fashions, and erotic/neurotic sex. They might add enjoyment or spice but aren’t required for happiness or survival, and pursuing them, more often than not, leads to complications and problems.
Vain/empty desires (unnatural): Fame, wealth, power, political status, infinite luxuries, or status symbols. These are limitless, socially embedded, and impossible to satisfy. Chasing them fuels anxiety, competition, and fear. More, MORE, MOAR. Vain or empty desires (neither natural nor necessary) are the source of unnecessary pain and suffering.
As Mick Says, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
Epicurus thought that unnatural desires creep into our lives for largely cognitive reasons. He said they come from ‘groundless opinion.’ Social pressures and false beliefs about what will make us happy lead us to chase power or fame. In response, we need to work hard to identify and eliminate these desires by changing our own beliefs and attitudes. If we eliminate or minimize these, life becomes simpler, more self-sufficient, more pleasurable, and more tranquil.
He lived according to these principles in his “Garden” community—embracing modest living with friends, simple meals, conversation, and philosophy. Epicurus was into “Slow Living” centuries before slow living was cool. His concepts tie beautifully into the 3mph theme of walking, presence, connection, and rejecting the hustle lifestyle; slowing down, simplifying, and finding contentment in the present moment. Vain desires push a “sprint” mentality—climbing ladders, acquiring more, and constant comparison via social media.
Slow Down
Slow living is the antidote: walking—both literally and figuratively—helps you recognize what’s enough, deepen connection, and savor simple pleasures. Chasing wealth or fame keeps you in a constant fight-or-flight state, while Epicurean restraint brings peace of mind and tranquility. Modern marketing manufactures empty desires. Contrast endless scrolling and online shopping with a walk in the forest: the things you truly need are few and easy to attain, but vain desires create a sense of infinite need—and, with it, greed.
“Good enough” is what slow living is about—home-cooked meals, unhurried walks around the neighborhood, and deep friendships—not status and stuff. Vain desires generate anxiety about the future and a constant sense of dissatisfaction. Practices like mindful routines, gratitude, and limiting inputs mirror Epicurus’ therapy for the soul: examining our beliefs, restricting unnecessary desires, and cultivating tranquility. At the center of it all is friendship.
Epicurus’ third doctrine holds that the wise person is unafraid of pain, since it is a natural part of life. Instead, we should learn to accept pain and find pleasure in its midst; pain can be overcome by focusing on the present moment and accepting it as a natural part of life. His 4th doctrine states that limiting the pursuit of pleasure is the removal of pain; that while pleasure might be the goal of life, it should not be pursued to excess.
Instead, we should seek pleasure in moderation, focusing on eliminating pain as a means to achieve it. Freedom comes from wanting less, not having more. This isn’t just ancient philosophy—it’s actionable wisdom that feels timeless yet urgent today.
