In a world of instant comfort, learning to wait may be the secret to real joy. Here's why restraint makes everything sweeter—literally.

A reindeer-shaped dessert on a white plate, symbolizing mindful indulgence and intentional restraint.

Why Wealthy Wall Street Investors Skip Dessert – The Hidden Power of Restraint

Lately, I’ve noticed something strange: I was doing all the things that were supposed to make me feel good—ordering takeout after work, sipping sugary lattes, binge-watching shows—but by the end of the day, I just felt… numb.
It wasn’t sadness or burnout. It was more like joy fatigue.
Nothing felt exciting anymore. Even the cake I used to crave just tasted sweet—not special.

Then I read that some of the wealthiest investors on Wall Street skip dessert entirely—not for diet reasons, but for something deeper.
They choose restraint not to suffer, but to feel more.

Abundance Feels Better with Restraint

Vitaliy Katsenelson, a Russian immigrant who became the CEO of a U.S. investment firm, realized something surprising after achieving financial freedom: he didn’t feel happier—he felt emptier.
Through Stoic philosophy, he learned that life without boundaries dulls our senses.

“When everything is available, nothing feels valuable.”

Think about it—your phone buzzes, and in two taps, you’ve ordered Chipotle from Uber Eats. You’ve already forgotten about it before it even arrives.
You scroll through Amazon, buy a $30 water bottle because it’s trending on TikTok, and by the time it shows up, you barely remember why you wanted it.

Abundance without restraint makes joy less noticeable.
We're not lacking in comfort—we're drowning in it. That’s why restraint is becoming the new form of self-care.

Real-Life Restraint: Simple Swaps That Changed My Life

I started small—by skipping dessert on weekdays.
Instead, I turned Sunday into a ritual: I walk to my local bakery, grab a slice of chocolate cake, and sit down with a book. No screens. No rush. Just me and that one perfect treat.

And guess what?
That cake tasted like magic.
Not because it was fancier, but because it was rare.

Then I applied the same idea to spending.
Now I use a “48-hour pause” rule before any purchase over $25.
I add it to my list, sleep on it, and come back.
If I still want it two days later, I go for it.
Turns out, most of my past impulse buys were just boredom in disguise.

Even with streaming:
Instead of autoplaying three shows on Netflix, I started watching one episode a night—like it’s something to savor. Suddenly, I actually remember what I watched.

Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Mind

Stoic philosophy teaches that happiness doesn’t come from indulging more—it comes from needing less.
Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor with unimaginable power, still practiced restraint daily.
If he could do it at the top of the world, maybe so can we.

Here are a few ways I’ve built modern restraint into my daily life:

Food: Swap daily treats for one intentional dessert a week (bonus if it involves a walk).
Shopping: Use the 48-hour rule or wishlist app like “Savelist.”
Digital: Try “Do Not Disturb” mode after 9pm. Your brain will thank you.
Subscriptions: Audit them monthly. Do you really use Hulu, HBO Max and Peacock?

These aren't punishments. They’re ways to protect your attention, energy, and joy.
Restraint helps us experience things fully again.

You Don’t Need More—You Need Contrast

When I stopped saying yes to every craving, I didn’t feel deprived.
I felt clear. Present. Satisfied.
That Sunday cake didn’t just taste good—it meant something.
That thoughtful purchase didn’t just fill space—it filled purpose.

Restraint isn’t about restriction.
It’s about remembering how good life can feel when not everything is instant.

This week, pick one area of your life to hold back on—just a little.
Food, shopping, content, or screen time.
Then reintroduce it with intention.
You might be shocked at how much more you enjoy it.

This article is a personal interpretation inspired by Vitaliy Katsenelson’s book, Soul in the Game: The Art of a Meaningful Life.