Several years ago, we made a bold, life-changing decision. We decided to intentionally live with fewer possessions. It had become very clear to us that our clutter was stealing time, energy, and focus from our pursuits that mattered most. And removing unneeded possessions would free up precious resources and opportunity.
We started right away working through each room, closet, and drawer in our home to remove the unnecessary clutter from our home and lives.
Along the way, we began noticing a troubling trend: duplicates. In fact, we owned duplicates of nearly everything. We began to quickly realize we had bought into thinking that went like this, “If owning one of something is nice, owning more will be even better.”
But we were wrong. And lately, I have begun to intentionally embrace a new philosophy. I have begun to appreciate the simple joys of owning one.
Consider the benefits of owning just one of an item:
- We own only our favorite of every object.
- We take better care of our belongings.
- We routinely use each of our owned possessions.
- We can quickly identify what needs to be repaired or replaced.
- We can easily identify the importance and purpose of each item.
- We create opportunity to own higher quality items.
- We find more capacity to help others with our excess.
- We experience increased intentionality in our purchases and possessions.
There is indeed a peaceful joy to be discovered in simply owning one. And this principle can be applied to almost any item we own: One coat. One spatula. One mug. One pen. One set of bedding. One television. One…
Surely, the practical implications of this principle will vary from household to household. Its opportunity will play out differently in your home than mine.
But the simple joy of owning one has too quickly been forgotten. It is time we remember its simple beauty… and live less cluttered lives because of it.
Image: Wolfgang Staudt
The Maui Taoist says
Well now I do own two spoons, two forks, bowls plates and cups… just in case I have a friend over….
jennifer wallington says
Love this we do prescribe to this idea as much as possible. Over the christmas holiday I realised I had 2 vases although I rarely display fresh flowers so one was given away. We tend to have one thing use it till it falls apart then replace it. We do have 2 TV’s as we live in a 3 storey house, 1 in the kitchen on the ground floor and 1 in the lounge on the first floor. We also have 2 pairs of trainers one dirty for outdoor running and one clean for the gym. My kids have 1 set of school uniform. We dont have deep cupboards and we all wear all our clothes all the time. I have 2 pairs of jeans which is absolutely enough. We manage with 1 set of bedding and 1 towel each etc too. Much easier than delaing with a laundry mountain!
Bethaney says
You are my hero.
Be says
Great post and a wonderful reminder for me to go an check to see just how many duplicates of things I have in my own home. I don’t think I’m too bad – especially in the clothes department. I have really only ever had one coat at a time though I have lots of shoes and bags … though only one in each colour!
I love your first point ‘ own only our favorite of every object ‘ … that will be my guide as I go through my wardrobe this weekend :)
kathie says
I do love this idea and have been wrestling about how to use it in the kitchen.. how many baking sheets, pots and pans etc. Thank you, Josh!
kathie says
Cullen, that is taken from Luke 3:11
Barbara Browning says
I like this idea very much of one of everything. I moved last year, and spent about 10 months decluttering and reducing our possessions. My new kitchen is 25% the size of my old kitchen, so I reduced and reduced in there. I took all of my cupboard doors off in the kitchen in the cupboards I store my dishes in, and have 6 of each item, but only have 1 set of the dishes we use regularly. I find I don’t miss the additional dishes that filled my old cupboards.
The hardest thing to let go of – my grandmother’s China. She used to take them out of the cupboard and wash them once a month, even though they almost never got used. I found I never used them, so passed them on to a local thrift store. They were delighted when I brought them in, and I’m sure they went to a good home – where they would actually be used.
Cullen Carter says
Is that great John the Baptist quote one from the Holy Bible? If so, can you tell me where to find it?
Sarah T. says
I’ve been working this out in our house too. I also look at items that perform the same duty. When my food processor died, I waited to see if I would miss it. Though I had used it a lot, everything I did with it can be done with the other items in my kitchen. I will not be replacing it. I also recently broke up a set of dishes (gasp!), donated the cups and saucers which never got used, and kept the plates and bowls. I love the liberation of using what I have and only having what I use. I don’t feel guilty anymore about not using grandma’s relish dish or not wearing certain clothing items.
Hellen says
It can be found in the Bible at Luke 3:11.
http://bible.cc/luke/3-11.htm
Jennifer says
I found several years ago that if I have one good pair of everyday winter gloves, I take care not to lose them or misplace them. In the past, I would pick up a cheap pair at the grocery store “just in case”.
Eric Dobson says
I’ve now been living for over a year with just one pair of pants. One carefully chosen, ninety dollar pair of pants that has performed well in every situation. Though I do nothing overly formal, they have seen the inside of several nice restaurants, without seeming out of place.
Both my mother and mother-in-law think I’m nuts, and immediately start to play the what if game. What if I spill something on myself? (They don’t stain.) What if I somehow end up covered in mud? (They clean easily and dry fast.)
In the end, it’s been a year and no such tragedies have come to pass. I’m sure something will happen one day. But the extra hassle that day, for lack if an extra pair, will be a small cost compared to how much I get out of simplicity month after month.
Susan says
Eric, I love this. I am trying to find a way to do this, as I only have one pair of pants that I truly love and feel good in.
carole steinberg says
I have one pair of jeans and one pair of yoga pants. I do own a couple of skirts too. I never seem to be out of sorts.
Hellen says
Hmmm, interesting and admirable. I like the John the Baptist quote.