I am trying to live a minimalist life. But that doesn’t mean I still don’t own stuff.
My family of four still owns three beds, three dressers, two couches, one table with chairs, one desk, eight plates, eight bowls, eight glasses… My kids own toys and books. My wife sews. I read, play sports, and care for the house. We may be seeking to live a minimalist life, but we are still consumers. After all, to live is to consume.
But we have worked hard to escape excessive consumerism. Consumerism becomes excessive when it extends beyond what is needed. When we begin consuming more than is needed, boundaries are removed. Personal credit allows us to make purchases beyond our income-level. Advertisements subtly reshape our desires around material possessions. And the consumption culture that surrounds us begins to make excessive consumption appear natural and normal.
Excessive consumption leads to bigger houses, faster cars, trendier clothes, fancier technology, and overfilled drawers. It promises happiness, but never delivers. Instead, it results in a desire for more… a desire which is promoted by the world around us. And it slowly begins robbing us of life. It redirects our God-given passions to things that can never fulfill. It consumes our limited resources.
And it is time that we escape the vicious cycle.
It is time to take a step back and realize that excessive consumption is not delivering on its promise to provide happiness and fulfillment. Consumption is necessary, but excessive consumption is not. And life can be better lived (and more enjoyed) by intentionally rejecting it.
Consider this list of ten practical benefits of escaping excessive consumerism in your life:
1) Less debt. The average American owns 3.5 credit cards and $15,799 in credit card debt… totaling consumer debt of $2.43 trillion in the USA alone. This debt causes stress in our lives and forces us to work jobs that we don’t enjoy. We have sought life in department stores and gambled our future on the empty promises of their advertisements. We have lost. Make getting out of debt a priority.
2) Less life caring for possessions. The never-ending need to care for the things we own is draining our time and energy. Whether we are maintaining property, fixing vehicles, replacing goods, or cleaning things made of plastic, metal, or glass, our life is being emotionally and physically drained by the care of things that we don’t need—and in most cases, don’t enjoy either. We are far better off owning less.
3) Less desire to upscale lifestyle norms. The television and the Internet has brought lifestyle envy into our lives at a level never before experienced in human history. Prior to the advent of the digital age, we were left envying the Jones’ family living next to us—but at least we had a few things in common (such as living in the same neighborhood). But today’s media age has caused us to envy (and expect) lifestyle norms well beyond our incomes by promoting the lifestyles of the rich and famous as superior and enviable. Only an intentional rejection of excessive consumerism can quietly silence the desire to constantly upscale lifestyle norms.
4) Less environmental impact. Our earth produces enough resources to meet all of our needs, but it does not produce enough resources to meet all of our wants. And whether you consider yourself an environmentalist or not, it is tough to argue with the fact that consuming more resources than the earth can replenish is not a healthy trend—especially when it is completely unnecessary.
5) Less need to keep up with evolving trends. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but religiously follows the new.” Recently, I have been struck by the wisdom and practical applicability of that thought whether relating to fashion, decoration, or design. A culture built on consumption must produce an ever-changing target to keep its participants spending money. And our culture has nearly perfected that practice. As a result, nearly every year, a new line of fashion is released as the newest trend. And the only way to keep up is to purchase the latest fashions and trends when they are released… or remove yourself from the pursuit altogether.
6) Less pressure to impress with material possessions. Social scientist Thorstein Veblen coined the phrase “conspicuous consumption” to describe the lavish spending on goods and services acquired mainly for the purpose of displaying income or wealth. In his 1899 book, The Theory of the Leisure Class, this term was used to describe the behavior of a limited social class. And although the behavior has been around since the beginning of time, today’s credit has allowed it to permeate nearly every social class in today’s society. As a result, no human being (in consumption cultures) is exempt from its temptation.
7) More generosity. Rejecting excessive consumerism always frees up energy, time, and finances. Those resources can then be brought back into alignment with our deepest heart values. When we begin rejecting the temptation to spend all of our limited resources on ourselves, our hearts are opened to the joy and fulfillment found in giving our personal resources to others. Generosity finds space in our life (and in our checkbooks) to emerge.
8) More contentment. Many people believe if they find (or achieve) contentment in their lives, their desire for excessive consumption will wane. But we have found the opposite to be true. We have found that the intentional rejection of excessive consumption opens the door for contentment to take root in our lives. We began pursuing minimalism as a means to realign our life around our greatest passions, not as a means to find contentment. But somehow, minimalism resulted in a far-greater contentment with life than we ever enjoyed prior.
9) Greater ability to see through empty claims. Fulfillment is not on sale at your local department store—neither is happiness. It never has been. And never will be. We all know this to be true. We all know that more things won’t make us happier. It’s just that we’ve bought into the subtle message of millions upon millions of advertisements that have told us otherwise. Intentionally stepping back for an extended period of time helps us get a broader view of their empty claims.
10) Greater realization that this world is not just material. True life is found in the invisible things of life: love, hope, and faith. Again, we all know there are things in this world that are far more important than what we own. But if one were to research our actions, intentions, and receipts, would they reach the same conclusion? Or have we been too busy seeking happiness in all the wrong places?
Escaping excessive consumption is not an easy battle. If it were, it would be done more often… myself included. But it is a battle worth fighting because it robs us of life far more than we realize.
Excessive consumption promises happiness, but never delivers. True life must be found somewhere else. (tweet that)
Image: schizoform
Vilma says
This is fantastic! Thank you for writing this!
Emily says
It is very courageous of you to take this attitude towards life. I am going to start to do the same. Between the number of people in this world who are suffering with far less than me, and the woman at work today who told me she just went on holiday and bought 20, yes 20, pairs of shoes for herself, I think I am experiencing a wake up call. Thank you for your very insightful piece!
Yulia S says
All my life I’ve felt like I spend more time arranging the stuff around me than enjoying it, so point #2 nailed it down. However, I feel like this post is also on the extreme side – it seems like you are obsessed and spend time calculating how may items you have, which is also time-consuming. Do you use paper plates if guests come over? If so, it’s a work-around :-) I have a set of regular plates & 1 dining set that I use for guests. I have a big family, and I like having them over, which means that I need more than 8 plates. Just some thought. Thank you for your posts.
shara says
I think the point is to have what you need, not more. So more dishes for you is perfect. In my home we have much less than the author, and that is perfect for us! Its all about personal needs! Which is awesome and refreshing. :)
David Honaker says
I love the analogy about the lemonade and believe that your post is so true.
Everyone is different and has to decide their level of minimalism. I have decided to get rid of everything I haven’t used in a year. Clothes, book, decorations and everything else must go.
I packed my sock drawer and have gotten out only what I needed between washing clothes. We buy too much and keep what we don’t need or even use. I can’t believe how empty that drawer is now and how easy it is to open and get my socks out.
I avoid stores and delete all messages unread from stores selling to me. That alone has made me happier. Someday I will sell this big house and live even smaller!
Brad says
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4zc1fMLux1rwcc6bo1_500.gif
Happy Annie says
Exactly! Like you, for me being a minimalist isn’t about owning nothing (as so many people mistakenly think). It’s about living in balance and simplicity without excess! A long time ago I heard an analogy about excess that went something like this: If you want a glass of lemonade it does no good (and is in fact wasteful) to keep pouring it long after the glass is full. No one would keep pouring it until it’s spilling over the rim and onto the counter. Instead you would pour it a bit lower than the lip and then stop. We can think of our drawers, closets, garages, and houses like that cup. Don’t overflow! It’s wasteful and messy :)
Amy says
Annie,
I really like that analogy. I’ve never hears it before. :)
Amy says
Annie,
I really like that analogy. I’ve never heard it before. :)
Karen T. says
Thank you, Annie. Great analogy and absolutely right.
ren says
Love it
Kimberly says
Over lunch recently, a colleague raised the topic of shopping at ‘Costco.’ I told him that I never buy in bulk because all that stuff represents an obligation – a commitment I’m not comfortable making. I was laughing when I made this comment, but it’s my truth. My friend laughed, too, because he couldn’t conceive of such a notion. Is this minimalism? Not sure. It’s just what fits rigt for me.
As for managing the things I own (myself and two teen-aged sons), I ask myself a simple question: if I were to move, would I be willing to pack and carry this to my new home? The answer is most often “no”.
Thanks for letting me share.
Anne Byam says
To Kimberley …. good onya. I think that’s definitely a good part of minimalism. Costco and it’s ilk, relies on people buying in bulk, which has a family ploughing through scads of food etc. before the use by date runs out. Buying what you need … which is what I try to do myself, is minimalism. HOWEVER, what to do with all the collected bits and pieces over years, that we just HAVE to hang on to ‘in case we need it one day’ … that’s my own biggest worry. Sure hope I can gather the courage ( and it will take that ) to rid myself of a heap of un-needed stuff one day. I do believe it will be very liberating.
Ellen Scott Grable says
Ann,
I think you already know you can do without much of what you are clinging to for what ifs…The universe always fills a vacuum. What if we lived in the faith of knowing what we need will come when we need it? Then we could let go of all our what ifs and move forward and see what life has for us.
Jessica says
I shop in bulk and still consider myself a minimalist at heart. I have 7(yes 7!) children. We go through a lot of food, toilet paper, etc, each and everyday. For us it makes sense to buy in bulk.( cheaper per pound or ounce, less packaging waste, etc) I realize some people would say I am not minimalist because I have an extra freezer full of meat, but it is necessary to affordably feed my kids. I buy a whole hog at a time, once a year. I save time, gas, and sanity because I don’t run to the grocery store every few days, because I just have to walk out to the garage and grab whatever I need.
Meg says
Hi Anne,
Me too! I have SO much stuff stored for a rainy day that this might just be an ark! I find it helps to go slowly and to focus on one room at a time. It also helps to start with an easy room that doesn’t already have too much stuff, like the lounge room, and to work up to things like wardrobes, collections, books and other ‘rainy day’ items. It’s true that every so often I DO get rid of something, only to find that I could have used it a couple of weeks later. I’ve just decided to be okay with this happening from time to time. The benefits of gradually reducing the total amount that I own are worth the occasional misjudgement.
Erick says
It all depends on what is being purchased at Costco. We buy several items their in bulk. Frozen organic fruits are a great buy and a good option when the fresh fruit isn’t looking great or is higher priced. While it sickens me to walk by the 80 inch plasma TVs at the entrance of Costco, there really aren’t any stores that don’t offer things that arent detestable to the minimalist mindset. I just go in, get what makes sense for my family, and ignore the rest. At the very least Costco does provide reasonable pay and benefits for employees compared to a lot of grocery stores and other competitors.
Vlad says
Another fantastic blog mate, well done!
Lessons Of A Dad says
Wow, you so nailed it. I consider myself a minimalist, myself. I don’t always succeed in being frugal, but definitely that’s where my heart lies.
This is great stuff. Worth sharing.
Bram Ramli says
Wel,I and my Familly walk in sad and hard life but because we are religious people,everything easy to say maybe also to do and to get but to enjoy it so hard,dificult give you an example,
Judy says
What god are YOU serving?! Jesus is JOY! Absolute happiness and peace. It is not a challenge or difficulty to serve Him. He paid the ultimate price so that we can have eternal life. Here on this earth—He gives peace and love that surpasses all understanding. It’s never too late to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior! :)
Yogini says
” It promises happiness, but never delivers. Instead, it results in a desire for more…” So true!
Loved reading the post :) very insightful, thank you!
D says
Thanks so much for your article, this is really something to consider, the marriage is going down the drain, my youngest teen left home and doesent speak to me and hates my husband and took me to court, my family and friends are very sad and hurt about this situation, and now I cannot stand my husband any longer i know the family daughter, the whole family is being and has been neglected, my husband is so obsessed with money and his debt that he created, his business is gone down, he is completely isolated, his music life has gone down, he only showers when going to church and makes like he is the loving husband, and does not take care of home needs family needs or marriage needs, he is till paying his x out when he does not need to because the judge gave him a way out, he calls the police and they throw him out, and I finally have had it, im making change in my life now, but he does not get it, he thinks because we spoke over the damage of the storm that we are ok, ?????, how come he is so consumed by the debt and money, he believes that God is not hearing him and is not answering him, he says that until God does something their is nothing he can do, constantly complains about the money when he is well off then most, what is his problem what does he not get, if you cant enjoy life and be thankful for what you have and stop with all the credit cards and debt do something about it nothing will get done, I have to lanscape, clean, everything because he will not, he works and pays the bills and says that is love, he is tired fatigued and is high maintanced but does not realize it, he is up and down, and he claims without the anointing of God there is nothing, constantly wants to be on this energetic high plane in life, what happen to just natural, sincerely fed up,
Christine says
You have my empathy; I can feel some of your pain and anguish when I read your post. I have but one creative suggestion, one which may help your mind deal with some of of it. Go to YouTube and search for the name “Byron Katie”. Watch several of the videos that demonstrate her working with people living with anger, frustration, fear, and all kinds of painful emotions, living with all kinds of difficult siutations. You can also get one of her books (you can try your local library, too) but watching her working with other people may be a greater first step. I wish for you a sense of calmness while living with a storm swirling around you. Better decisions and better relationships happen when the mind is quieter and you just might find, like Katie did and some of the many thousands of people who have benefitted from her work, that the people around you are also positively effected by your own calm. Be well.
Jenny says
He needs to realize that there is no god to take care of his problems for him. Only he is responsible for himself.
Zdislava says
There is a God. The universe was created with a Big Bang. What happened? God created the universe. How can we know this is true? How can nothing just explode and become something? How can it be such a finely tuned explosion that everything just happened to become habitable? There’s no way the universe could’ve 1. Been here forever 2. Been started by nothing. God hears us and we can know he does because he gave us free will. He doesn’t chose our actions for us. Like with any relationship, if one person controls another then it isn’t real love. So know God exists and know he will answer your prayers if you are perseverant. :)
Hilary says
But then…how could God have started from nothing
Stanley says
I’ll bite into this:
How can we know God is real?? How can something “perfect” appear and become something? How can it be such a perfect being that is worthy of being a God? There’s no way God could’ve 1. Been here forever 2. Been started by nothing.
Sorry, but the same arguments go both ways. There is no stronger proof of the Bible’s God than any other god out there.
Also, ” How can it be such a finely tuned explosion that everything just happened to become habitable” .
How can god be so perfect but also:
Create a tree of knowledge-bearing fruits knowing man would eat from it.
Not be able to just forgive sins without creating an alter ego (jesus) to suffer for it.
Explicitly “inspire” the bible’s terrible treatment for leprosy, (Leviticus 14:2-52) which by our medical advancements of today we know is completely wrong and makes the patient worse? Hint to “God”: Oil in the skin is one of the worse things you can do to someone with leprosy: it prevents the ailment to get better by itself by creating a layer of oil in the skin, preventing the affected skin from healing. Also, if swabbing a dead bird’s blood in your ear, thumb and toe did not seem stupid enough, it suggests doing it on someone that has open wounds all over his body. Talk about desinfection. God, please, stop the misinformation.
Helen mitchell says
It’s called physics, dumbass
David says
Jenny, it is not for you or anyone to tell someone that God does or does not exist. You are no better than a fire and brimstone preacher saying that everyone is going to hell. The most cruel thing someone can do to another human being is to take what hope or faith they have. You are no more than a vindictive soul throwing a concrete block to a drowning person.
nonserviam says
Reread what Jenny actually said. Is she throwing a concrete block or a life raft and paddle? It depends on how healthy a relationship you share with reality.
As the late-great Christopher Hitchens once said: “The one who prays is the one who thinks that God has arranged matters all wrong and thinks they can instruct God how to put it all right.”
It isn’t cruel of anyone to give solid advice on how to self-actualise goals or find solutions to problems, in lieu of pandering to their delusional belief in a supernatural being who doesn’t exist and therefore will not actualise their goals or fix their problems for them. I thought it was a quite compassionate and inspiring thing of Jenny, to underscore the importance of self responsibility.
Despite their emotional attachment to the idea of Santa Claus, you eventually want your children to grow up illuminated by reality so that they can adapt to life’s challenges and not remain emotionally or intellectually retarded to the degree that their delusions and fantasies take primacy over their ability to process and adapt to reality. This is particularly true if said fantasies have a tendency to hinder self-responsibility, like the Christian faith does. We all know deep down that if we want a better life, we have to get up off our asses and make it better. Praying is futile and inimical to the maturity required to take control of one’s own destiny. Hence the virtuous intent of Jenny’s comment.
Religion itself is one thing that has for too long been counting against our collective evolution as a species (along with the centrepiece of this article: consumerism, of course). So please. Grow up, and allow others to grow with you. Peace.
Carol Halitsky says
I do not see Jennie as putting religion down, she is saying that we are responsible for ourselves .. what did i read once .. I will teach you how to fish, then you can feed yourself, god can give you a set of oars for your row boat .. but if you do not use them .. you will never get to shore
Ellen Scott Grable says
Jenny right on! We are the Godhead and it is up to us to fashion our lives in a way which respects ourselves, our fellow members of the planet and nature…nothing could be closer to the image of God than that.
Trevor Gomoll says
there are literally millions of stars in our universe, there are millions of universes in our galaxy, if modern scientists are right there could be millions of galaxy. literally infinite. yet yet you say its impossible there’s a God? who sounds closed minded now.
Buddy Wilds says
I’d like to know what makes people think, given the massiveness of all that exists so eloquently described above, that the “GOD” who created it all has a special interest in one particular species of primate on a planet in the Milky Way Galaxy
Carla says
D.. wow, what a story. I hope it relieved you to get it ‘out’ if only a little. Im curious to know your update and how are moving forward!
Carla
Boo says
How about chcking out Dave Ramsey’s “total money makeover” – it gives a clear plan for getting to peace with your fonances. many churches hold Financial Peace Universities too.
I was just like that before i finally found this plan and worked my way through my debt. I’m still a long way from riches, but i am finally at peace with money :)
Jasmin says
Yes, love this! I’ve taken the class three times. Same advice your grandma gave but he keeps his teeth in!!
Rob says
I just started getting my finances under control with Dave Ramsey’s method even though I’m not religious. I found a helpful video on YouTube explaining the zero sum budget. I am excited to have a budget that will get me out of debt and living simply.
ren says
Agreed I’m doing the steps
R.A. says
I’m sorry you’re going through this. He must realize that he has God given talents and ambition IN ORDER TO change his situation – the situation won’t change itself unless he makes the DECISION to do so. God gave us a free will and if your husband doesn’t decide for himself that he wants change, then change won’t happen.