How do you stop wanting something you'll never have?

Question

Is it possible to MAKE yourself not want [whatever]?

Answer 1

open your mind wide.. get use to it.. move on.. life is too short to enjoy.. so have a wonderful days!!!!

Answer 2

I have a rather odd way to do this ... I go shopping and make a list (yes, on a piece of paper) of ALL of the things I 'want' ... then when I am home (usually with my husband) we go through the list, laugh, and think of all of the reasons that actually getting whatever is a 'very bad idea.' Do I want to own a house? Maybe ... so I go 'shopping for houses' ... usually way TOO BIG, and FAR TOO EXPENSIVE. Will we ever own a house ... NO ... my husband is a fine artist and web developer who COULD do all of the 'repairs' on a house, but WHY should he when he likes to do art, develop the best web sites, or play games online? Some things I want, like a 'well groomed husband' on ALL days, was a 'dream' ... but now we have a high enough income that I just take him to my hairdresser (who is a good friend of both of us) every two weeks for a trim. Okay, he says 'NO!' every time I tell him he's got an appointment, but he does go, and in five to ten minutes he LOOKS REALLY GOOD instead of getting his razor out perhaps once ever three months so his beard gets 'long and shaggy' and wiggling when I try to cut his hair. Is this worth the money I spend ... HECK YES IT IS because BOTH of our lives are 'easier' and my husband looks very nice all the time now. My advice is not to (try to) MAKE yourself not 'want' whatever it is you want, but to put it onto a list, sit back and think about what that thing would 'do' in your life, and then if you find it really is something you want, then see if you can't find a way to get it (or a similar facsimile) ... but most of all, you will find that you may 'want' a lot of things because they 'attract' you, but in the end they will NOT 'fit into your life' in any realistic way ... so DREAM BIG but use good sense, and your life will actually be much more easily organized, and your 'temper' will be much more easily satisfied ... and then go stick your nose into a rose, or an evergreen tree, or the grass on the ground and inhale that 'wonderful odor' that can lift your mood and make you smile. And have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS (or whatever holiday you celebrate).

Answer 3

That's a hard question to answer! But I'll try. Sometimes wanting can turn into greed,and greed can always turn into crime, people may not understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart,and they defile a person. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, thefts,adulteries,false witness,and more. So be careful and seek guidance from family and friends especially at this time of the year.

Answer 4

Nope...if you're talking about a person, you have to not think about them, or at least try not to.

The more you tell your brain that this is something unattainable, the more your brain wants or craves it.

The same for food. it NEVER works if you try to fully derive yourself of something. You have to let yourself have a bit but practice self restraint. It's reverse pyschology for the brain.

Your brain is like a pet or little kid in some respects...the more you tell it that "you can't have xyz", the more it will want that!

Answer 5

realize that you already have everything in your life that you need to make you happy. sounds a bit esoteric, i know -- but it's true.

it is possible to make yourself not want something. actively make yourself stop thinking about it. promise yourself that everytime you think of X (the thing that you want) that instead you'll change the subject in your mind to something enjoyable, and less stressful.

good luck!

Answer 6

A lot of willpower helps and then keep yourself busy so you won't think about it. I mean, I WANT a puppy and lately many puppies have been offered and some GREAT adult dogs, but I don't have my dog run built yet so I REALLY have to use a lot of will power. They are SO cute. Good luck!

Answer 7

We want what we attach meaning to. Pull yourself back from attaching that meaning, you make the choice, it is all you. Not god, not anyone else influencing you, it is you. This coming from the eternal existentialist.
You can make yourself do anything always remember that -

- enrique

In the midst of my own winter, I found within me an invincible summer."
- Albert Camus

Answer 8

Its tough but not impossible.Try meditation some breathing exercises.To achieve this you must control your mind dont let your mind control u.We have so many desires that are useless if we satisfy one,another will rise so b happy with what you have and dont expect any thing in advance this is the best philosophy in life.

Answer 9

You can't make yourself stop want it but time heals the severity of the pain you have from not having it.

Answer 10

you just try your best to get by, and surround yourself with things you love and then someday there'll be a point where you just don't want it anymore, and you'll feel stronger for trying to move on and not letting the want consume you.

Answer 11

Absolutely! I've done that quite a few times that I've lost track of those things! But basically you just ignore it and don't have it in your heart to want it!