“There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.” —Jackie French Koller
From the moment we’re born, we’re told to pursue more. Advertisements from every television, radio, newspaper, magazine, billboard, and website scream to us on a daily basis that more is better. As a result, we work hard hours so that we can spend countless dollars purchasing the biggest homes, fanciest cars, trendiest fashions, most popular toys, and coolest technologies.
But we all know it’s not true. We all know, deep-down, that happiness can not be bought at a department store—more is not necessarily better. We’ve just been told the lie so many times we begin to believe it.
But what if, in reality, there is actually more joy in owning less?
That truth would change almost everything about us. It would change the way we spend our hours, our energy, and our money. It would change where we focus our attention and our minds. It would change the very foundation of our lives. And if it were true, it would free us up to pursue the things in life that we most value. In other words, it would be a life-changing and life-giving realization.
Unfortunately, for some, the idea of intentionally living life with fewer possessions is just too counter-intuitive. It’s an approach to life they have never been introduced to or have never been invited to explore. The benefits have never been articulated. As a result, it’s too far a leap… too long a stretch… and jumping in with both feet is just not going to happen.
But maybe there’s an easier way than jumping in with both feet.. maybe the lifestyle can just be sampled for a bit. Oh, one may not experience all the benefits that are afforded to those who jump in with both feet, but they just may taste enough to continue along the journey.
To that end, allow me to offer 7 areas of life where living with less can be sampled. They are designed to be picked one-by-one, risk-free. Conducting each experiment for 3-4 weeks will give a good feel for the practical benefits, but hey, it’s your experiment. You decide the length.
7 Ways to Sample Living With Less
1. Clothes. According to statistics, we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. That means that many of us have closets full of clothes that we no longer like or no longer fit us correctly. They are just taking up space. The simple exercise of going through your closet and removing all unused clothing leaves your closet lighter, your mornings less stressful, and your wardrobe full of things you love. Give your lighter wardrobe 30 days to work its magic… you’ll never miss those unused clothes.
2. Decorations. Many of the decorations in our homes hold no personal value to our lives. They just simply happened to match the color of the carpet or be on sale when we walked into the store. Unfortunately, they are distracting you and your guests from the decorations in your home that share your story and highlight your values. Take a moment to walk through your home with a discerning eye. Leave only the decorations that are the most meaningful and the most beautiful. Your home will begin to share your story in a beautiful way. And your old decorations will likely end up on sale at your next garage sale.
3. Toys. Too often, we fall into the line of thinking that says more is better… and so do our kids. We begin to purchase and collect far too many toys for our children. As a result, our children have no need to learn how to be creative, helpful, careful, or sharing. In that regard, fewer toys may benefit your kids in numerous ways. Although you may want to consult your children before you relocate their unused toys, there’s a pretty good chance that after only a few weeks the old, unused toys will be forgotten (except by whomever used to pick them all up).
4. Cooking Utensils. There never seems to be enough storage space in our kitchens. Yet most of our grandmothers cooked far more often, far more elaborately, and far better than many of us today… in much smaller kitchens. The truth is that when it comes to cooking, simple is almost always better. We need far less cooking utensils than we currently own. As a result, our drawers, cabinets, and countertops can be far better organized and useful if we simply owned less. To give this experiment a shot, check out this article from the New York Times: A No Frills Kitchen Still Cooks. Then, store all your unnecessary utensils in a plastic bin, put them away out of sight, and see if you just enjoy cooking a little bit more in your new, clutter-free environment.
5. Televisions. According to Nielsen, the average person watches 4 hours, 35 minutes of television each day. And the average American home now has more television sets than people. That threshold was crossed within the past two years. There are 2.73 TV sets in the typical home and 2.55 people. In the average American home, a television set is turned on for more than a third of the day — 8 hours, 14 minutes to be exact. We are literally sitting on the couch while life passes us by. Experiment with owning less televisions. As a result, you will watch less. And when you do, you will be more apt to do it together as a family.
6. Counter-tops. Clutter is a form of distraction. It pulls at our attention and redirects our thoughts – even for just an instant. Everything sitting out on your countertops competes for your attention. Unfortunately, we have become so accustomed to these distractions that we don’t even notice them anymore… until they are removed. Experiment, even for just 7 days, with keeping your countertops completely clear. Store things in drawers, cabinets, pantries, or temporary storage boxes. After one week, you’ll likely return some of it for the sake of convenience, but I’d bet my bottom dollar that you won’t return all of it.
7. Furniture. It may require some heavy-lifting, but if you’re up for the challenge, removing excess furniture from your rooms will immediately open up significant space and airflow in your home. The rarely-used pieces of furniture in your home are quickly recognizable and taking up more space than you realize. Oh sure, this experiment requires a place to store your furniture during the trial period, but it’s a quick and easy way to remove some of the largest clutter from your home.
I enjoyed your article .. and appreciate those that believe ‘less is more’ and choose to incorporate that philosophy in their lives. … I’m 75 years old. I surround myself with things that i LOVE .. (and it seems i LOVE a lot of ‘stuff’ (that I consider ‘treasures’) that hold very special ‘memories’ for me in my lifetime. And they truly give me great JOY. YESSSS .. i could ‘cull my clothes closet’ more often (I do this every couple years). I find such happiness each holiday and season going through all the ‘decorations’ that i have accumulated over the years (and continue to accumulate!) … My grandchildren find such glee in revisiting these treasures when they visit our home .. and i adore when they ask questions .. “to tell them the ‘story’ of it”. I believe my family and friends come to know me better by my home and it’s ‘contents’. Yesssss .. i have ‘attempted’ the ‘counter clearing’ .. (filled with wonderful pottery, vintage kitchen ‘utensils’ … etc. etc. etc.) but it does not take me long to put it all back .. ha! and maybe even ADD TO IT!) and yesssss, part of my chldren’s ‘inheritance’ will be all my ‘stuff’. And I am completely happy with the knowledge that they will decide what is important enough for them to keep and what they wish to release. My ‘clutter’ does not cause me ‘stress’ .. I feel happy when walking into different rooms in our home and seeing and being able to ‘touch’ the memories of my life. When i want ‘simplicity’ in my surroundings (which, quite honestly, isn’t very often) .. i visit the ocean, or take a walk in the forest .. stay at a ‘simplistic’ cottage for a few days … but I am always happiest at ‘home’.
What argument will convince this person that her whole existence is a product of marketing and consumerism. No one needs stuff. Did Jesus need stuff? In any example of great leadership was there stuff that cluttered the homes. No! To think clearly and move about the country is therefor a commitment to live within ones means and to live simple-ly so that others too can live. This happy feeling of touching memories is absurd, that was given up many years back when I realized the event or person stays in my mind not my clunky things.
The point of minimalism is to prioritize what you LOVE. After 75 years of living, this person has much to love. Who’s to say their “treasures” are things they bought? Maybe they collect seashells. Who knows? I feel anxious in a home with lots of stuff but that’s ME. Everyone is different. What is minimalist to one isn’t to another.
If you love it and it brings you joy, keep it!!!
I agree… object work in the same way photographs used to do -before the digital era- it is, they are fetishes (understood as “an inanimate object worshipped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit.”).
I have many less “things” than I used to have …but like you “touching my memories” makes me happy. Some people do not understand that but that does not matter either. They can live the way they like…
I live a minimalist lifestyle, however, I can relate to your story. My children love visiting their nanny with all her knock knkca and treasures accumulated over the years and you are right – they prompt wonderful story telling!!! Your story has made me think what it will feel like for my future grandchildren to enter an “empty” home….
When my children where young I bought each of them a box, we put things in there we didn’t won’t to throw out, each school holidays i would sit with them and we would go through the box , remembering lots of good stories, the things that we couldn’t remember the story to where thrown out. My daughter 24yrs and my son 21 still have one box each filled with special memories.
Tried to read the article “No Frills Chicken Still Cooks” that you have a link to but the link doesn’t give me the whole article. Any hints?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/dining/09mini.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=e39e14cf6af1b0bc&ex=1336363200&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
Thanks for inspiration.
I’m back on board with trying to have less stuff, but I do understand Fanny’s view of life also.
Living with less isn’t what makes us all happy. It sounds like she only has the items that bring her joy. Maybe her less is not as less as some others, but maybe it is way less than others.
Great article!
For visual dominant people, the stuff needs to be seen to spark a memory.
Materialism and unhappiness, interesting thought! As a middle aged male I believe there is truth to this, after watching the documentary on minimalism I’ve decided to have a paradyme shift away from the notion that having more is better. It’s interesting, over the last few years I’ve had several friends who have done what I call “down sizing for death”, I sense a liberating happiness enter into them as they have parted with their life stage props, “worldly goods” mentally and physically letting go of the unnecessary! Stepping away from traditional thought and influence, media etc
Thanks Josh for your insight. Interesting paradigms. I guess when I sell all my “stuff” so that I have very little in my home, I’m supposed to feel better in myself??? And I’d then be like everyone else … Hmmmm might try it! Will keep you posted.
It’s not about being like everyone else. It’s about freeing yourself up to the be the very best you want to be. Simply eliminating “things” won’t bring you happiness, but the point of the post is to allow yourself to consider how material things consume our time & money, that could be put to better use exploring what really matters most to us in life.
I buy a lot if things at thrift stores – similarly i use thrift stores as “nearly free storage” for stuff i like, but dont need right now. As an experiment next time you need something new try the thrift store first – usually you will find the thing you were going to buy for $25 and get it for $5. Once you experience this a few times you gain the freedom to deliver tonnes of stuff there to share with others and have confidence if you need anything ‘someday’ you will find it easily for a couple of dollars
I think the minimalist mindset is easier for some personalities than others. There are several of us in my family (including me) who like things very organized. We can’t stand clutter, dust, or a lot of things on our counters. We call it our curse…lol!
So it was quite natural for me to relate to the documentary about living a minimalist life because it seems so nice and “clean” so to speak.
However, even with this personality “quirk” I still have way too many clothes, kitchen utensils, socks, gloves, jackets, etc. It will be a pleasure for me to get rid of more stuff because I usually cull out things every year but I’ll do a better job now.
As far as keepsakes and memorabilia, I realize that most of it will not be of interest to my 3 grown children. Do they really want to keep my high school annuals in a box in their garage as I have for the past 55 years?! I’d rather have it easier for them to dispose of my things than wade through a ton of junk after I’m gone.
I loved the documentary and will do all I can to live the minimalist life while enjoying people, outdoors, nature walks and spending a lot of time with friends and family.
By the way, I’m 76 years old and my husband of 59 years is in a facility with Alzheimer’s. He no longer knows the meaning of our shared “stuff” anyway. My precious memories are all stored neatly in my brain.
We had to move to a much smaller home a few years ago. It took us about 6 months of donating “stuff” that we aquired over the years that we didn’t need or use. I saved my favorite pictures and bought a few new items that match the style of our new home. Since we don’t have a lot of storage now, no basement, garage or attic, we are constantly recycling older stuff for someting new and maybe a little different. I don’t mind not having a lot of stuff, it takes me less time to clean and more time to play.
p.s. I’ve been married for over 35yrs and still have the same 3 stainless steel bowls I got as a wedding gift. I use them almost every day!
I retired 4 yrs ago and my minimalist wife is retiring next year. We are also moving and downsizing. I was totally impressed with the minimalist documentary. My wife is very happy that I decided to sell most of my Musical toys. Also went through my wardrobe and donated many cloths to the Salvation Army? My wife’s philosophy is if you haven’t worn or used it in the last year you don’t need it. That made it easier for me to part with my worldly poccessions. It’s a great feeling of freedom when you clean up and minamalize!
Please Recycle , Cheers!
what is the name of the documentary?
Less stuff frees up the mind for better endeavors than collecting it, slowing down our life maneuvering around the obstacles we purchase, finance. And end up neglecting when the gotta have it, galloping gimmees wears off.
I have only in the past week watched the minimalist documentary and have been completely taken with it. I am now starting to work through the things in my life which I have had some joy from (books mainly) but now decide to keep safe in the knowledge that I will never read again…
Clothes are going the same way, I work in a job where a uniform is provided and sadly a great proportion of my time is spent wearing this uniform so the next challenge for me is going to be the 333 (33 items of clothing for 3 months).
I am greatly looking forward to clearing clutter, sorting out the things that really matter in my life compared to the things we just keep for the sake of it, or once loved and now just retain.
I love the thought of donating the things I loved so that others can enjoy them too and have found that as I am clearing out boxes in the garage of books and other items I have found things that I love which I am keeping as they matter to me, so I have brought back that appreciation.
The other thing I am hoping to change is that without buying for the sake of buying I don’t need to work the amount of overtime that I have been and can spend more time with my family.
Of note I am 34, live with my partner and two children who are 7 and 16 months, it may take me a little while to convince the rest of the household but I think once they see the improvement in me, they will be drawn in.
I hope that everyone out there enjoys what they can of being minimalist, even if its only moving on a few things or just regaining that appreciation for once loved items it really has been an eye opener for me.
Martin
x
I have been following your posts since more than two years,I found a name for what seemed an inexplicable feeling to me…yes it’s minimalism that I wanted around me! Thanks!
Though being in a stereotype family of six members,with relatives frequently visiting it has been not completely possible but yes I have been successful hoti a certain extent to de clutter my house.
Thanks once again!
I’m just 26 yo and have a room with only 4 things : a bed, a computer, a small table and a place in the wall where i put my clothes (have 12 in total xd yees i know it’s too ) !! I don’t need anything else: having a trusted nearby place for eating great food so i don’t have to cook!! I I never buy useless things !! I’m 90% of my time alone so the only time i buy things is for travelling and camping. Life is much easier and i recommand people to start being minimalist because for me it’s my way of life for 6 years and i’m totally happy!!
OMG same as you just i’m 22yo xd
Lafuu na claup cip, golie mau shukdedae. Kanu en nanoo nanoo – issy mar cluc de dae. Za luin ephinn dar gud ne moe lin cudoon.
To the first point, what are the statistics? It is just pareto rule and this is not a statistic. Of course is easy to use it as an rethoric figure but come on, you should be more realistic, minimalism is about being realistic in the end.
Enjoyed your article. I do urge you to refer to Elements of Style or such to learn the correct usage of “less” and “fewer”. It is an important difference.