Have you heard of Wetiko? In Native American tradition, it is a malevolent spirit—a monster that grows hungrier the more it consumes. But unlike ordinary hunger, this creature is never satisfied. The more it devours, the more insatiable it becomes. This creature is cursed with a hunger that grows stronger the more it consumes. No matter how much it gobbles up, it is never satisfied. The more it takes, the more it craves.

Wait. Does this sound familiar? Not in terms of food—our bodies naturally limit how much we can eat. But what about our hunger for possessions? Our greed for things? Unlike physical hunger, material desires are never truly satisfied. The more we acquire, the more we crave. We become a Wetiko in our pursuit of more—one watch after another, one pair of shoes after another, and the cycle continues. A girl gets a pink dress, then desires a green one, a black one, and another. A man collects more shirts, more shoes, more ties. Families want multiple cars and multiple houses. 

We live in a world obsessed with accumulation. We chase after the latest phones, the trendiest clothes, and the biggest houses. A person buys a watch and soon desires another, then another. A woman gets a pink dress, but soon she wants a green one, a black one, and a dozen more to fill her closet. A man collects more shoes, more ties, and more suits, convincing himself he needs them all. Families strive for multiple cars, and multiple houses, convinced that security lies in excess. Even the wealthy, who already have more than they could ever spend in a lifetime, continue to hoard riches as if they fear losing everything. People accumulate wealth beyond what they could ever spend in a lifetime.

This is the Wetiko mindset—an endless cycle of wanting, taking, and still feeling empty. The danger is that we often fail to recognize it in ourselves. We justify our greed with logic: “I worked hard for this,” “I deserve it,” or “I’ll be happy once I have just a little more.” But happiness remains elusive. No amount of wealth, possessions, or status can fill a hunger that only grows stronger with each indulgence. 

Do you find yourself always wanting more, never satisfied with what you already own? If so, you may have unknowingly become a Wetiko—a prisoner of your own desires. This relentless greed warps the mind, fostering selfishness and turning consumption into an end in itself. But there is hope. Awareness is the first step toward freedom. Recognizing the Wetiko within us allows us to break free from its grip. Instead of chasing more, we can learn to appreciate what we have. Instead of endless accumulation, we can seek fulfilment in purpose, relationships, and experiences.

Beware of the Wetiko within. Do not let it consume you. Choose contentment over the endless craving. Choose freedom over possession.