“Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.” —Peace Pilgrim
Three years ago, we sold, donated, or discarded over 70% of our family’s possessions. We removed clothes, furniture, decorations, cookware, tools, books, toys, plus anything else we could find in our home that was not immediately useful or beautiful. The result has been a completely transformed life and lifestyle. It is a decision we have never regretted.
The intentional choice to pursue minimalist living and owning less has brought with it a great number of benefits. It has been the answer to much of the discontent we felt in our lives when we owned more. And the decision holds the potential to do the same for you.
Consider these Seven Common Problems that Can Be Solved by Owning Less Stuff:
1. “I don’t have enough money / I’m in debt.” The simplest solution to almost every money problem is “spend less.” In fact, it’s the first step in almost every financial program ever devised. Purposefully deciding to own fewer possessions is an important step in getting your financial house in order – and often times, it’s the only step you really need to take.
2. “There’s just not enough time in the day.” We were immediately surprised at how much extra time we found in our lives after removing our unnecessary possessions. We came to realize, if we aren’t careful, the things we own quickly move from “time-saving” to “time-consuming.” Just think about all the time we waste caring for our possessions: shopping, researching, organizing, picking up, cleaning, repairing, replacing – even earning the money to buy them in the first place. And the reality is, it can be difficult to determine how much time our possessions are actually stealing from us until we actually remove them.
3. “There’s always so much cleaning to do / Even after I clean, my house feels cluttered.” Want to have a cleaner home? Own less stuff. It works every time.
4. “My house is too small / There’s never enough storage around here.” Chances are pretty good that your house isn’t too small – you’ve just put too much stuff inside it. Case in point: according to statistics, the average house size in America has doubled since the 1950’s… yet, many of us still think that we need something bigger. You probably don’t. And removing the unneeded possessions from your home and life will likely provide the opportunity for you to discover that again.
5. “I’m too stressed.” The artist and philanthropist, John Ruskin once said, “”Every increased possession loads us with a new weariness.” Every increased possession weighs down our lives with new things to worry about, care for, and maintain. Our purchases have far surpassed bringing convenience and ease into our lives. In fact, they have begun to do just the opposite – they have brought new forms of stress and anxiety instead.
6. “I can’t decide what to wear / It’s so hard to keep up with the changing fashions.” On the surface, fashion appears to be an ever-evolving game where the rules change with each passing season. As a result, it demands astute attention (and an expansive income). But it does not have to. Instead, carry a beautiful wardrobe filled with a few timeless pieces that you truly love to wear. Once you love everything hanging in your closet, deciding what to wear will be one less problem to deal with in your morning.
7. “I wish I had…” Our culture begs us to own more. Advertisements call us to purchase the latest and the greatest. Our natural tendencies cause us to compare our lives with those around us. And we seem to have a built-in desire to impress others by owning as much as possible. As a result, we spend precious energy wishing we had more. But this constant dreaming, hoping, and envying other’s possessions is stealing from our joy and contentment today. It makes us feel like we are missing something – even though there is so much joy right in front of us.
We made the decision years ago to live with fewer possessions. Sometimes, I get asked, “Do you think you’ll always be a minimalist?” My response is always the same, “Oh yeah, I’m never going back. There is just too much joy and freedom on this side.”
And I cherish the opportunity to invite others to experience it as well.
Stefanie says
I have been on a serious quest for simplification for about a month now. I have mostly been working on purging items I don’t need, or never use. I have found that I have to go back to the same area over and over again after realizing how little I really do wear or use something. It’s definitely a process, but I love the results. Plus when I do end up moving again it will be a snap!
Kayla Fay says
Our family found early on that having too much stuff was distracting to our already distracted ADHD kids. It wasn’t just toys – it was clothes!
It was a challenge, but at one point we pared down to a certain number of outfits for various occasions. We knew it would help with the clutter, but it was amazing the difference it made in the amount of time that we spent doing/sorting laundry, looking for something to wear, picking up, etc.
velvetanne says
Kayla, I’m an ADHD adult and I can attest to the calming effect it has had on me. Although I always supported this concept, I was forced into it through divorce, employment loss, three moves/downsizes. amazing how it makes me feel.
Mercedes says
Wonderful blog! I featured this article today because we found it to be very true and well said. You can see it here: http://cozyminimalist.blogspot.com/2013/01/7-common-problems-solved-by-owning-less.html (we just linked up this page with our post feed). Thank you for writing this post. Its so true! Losing weight led me to minimalism (if you can believe that) and becoming quite frugal :) I figured if my body didnt need all the food I was feeding it then certainly my life didnt need all the stuff I was trying to fill it with either lol.
Jennifer says
Great ideas! I’m going to be downsizing because of plans to build a tiny house & love all the great ideas people like you share. I want to semi-retire in a couple of years when my youngest graduates & goes off to school on her own. I’ve decided that I’m not going to spend the last few decades of my life chasing some dream just because someone said I should!!
Thanks so much for sharing! :)
Annie says
Number 6 can also be resolved by knowing the difference between fashion and style. If you follow fashion you will spend too much time and money trying to look like everyone else and will likely never be happy with your wardrobe. If you choose classic, high-quality, timeless pieces as you suggested, and pair them with accessories chosen the same way then you will develop a style all your own and not look like everyone else. Some of my favorite accessories are vintage scarves, jewelry, handbags inherited from relatives, or purchased second-hand after careful consideration to be sure I will use them regularly.
Rey Rogelio Manalo, Jr. says
♦ ♦ ♦ SIMPLE LIVING leads to LESSER WORRYING. ((^_^)) ☻☺☻☺☻
Barbro says
You don’t mean giving away the money on your bank account though? As read the blog I understand you mean possesing less THINGS.
Giving away one’s money could open up an even broader perspective. I’m not saying i’m ready to do so myself, though… more than a little now and then, of course. But it’s an interesting thought. And sure, possessing less things leaves the possibility to donate more money.
Steve says
I always hear people saving things because they are going to “use it someday”…problem I noticed as you get older you start running out of
“someday’s'”
Kathy Dallara says
I downsized from a large expensive home into a modest stone cape. It was a shock
Now living in a small town with middle income people. As I off load so many things the thing most valued by me is open space. A clutter free space is a joy to live in. I don’t live cheap but live well with less. Everyday is a struggle because I am artist who works at home. I can collect things with intentions. Lol
Carola says
Great thoughts. All is so true. We as a family with two children try to live this way. We only want to own what we realy nead. We live in a small place, but it is good for us. No big furniture. In the kitchen no dishwasher, no toaster no other electrical equipment. The only thing is a coffee maschine. We count every plate and bowl. It is tidy, easy to clean.
Our traveling is minimalistic too. Sleeping in a tent or couchsurfing. Traveling long time on a budget. Going slowly.
We don’t spend our money on consum items, so we are able to save from our income (others couldn’t survive from that, they tell us).