The desire for less: An inquiry on trait mindfulness, passage of time, and materialistic value

Since the advent of Greek philosophy, the notion that time is a more valuable resource than money has gained traction due to its perceived contrast with materialistic viewpoints. In the current study (N = 418 Indonesian undergraduates, 70.3% female, mean age 21.41 years old), we explored the extent to which the speed of time passage (i.e., time pressure and time expansion) could be an underlying mechanism between the propensity to be mindful and the personal value system of materialism. We found that trait mindfulness was associated with lower materialistic values through lower appraisal of time pressure but not through time expansion. This result was independent of the participant’s level of trait self-control, which is often intertwined with studies regarding mindfulness and time passage. By not rushing to overcome the discomfort from time pressure, mindful individuals are more capable of recognizing that materialistic desires are fleeting wants that do not necessitate action.