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
Katie @ Imperfect People says
I love this. And I think often about the title of your blog because it is truly BECOMING minimalist. I thought I was very minimalist about a year ago, yet the me today is much more minimalist than the me then. And we own way more than 1 pen! We are always on the road to becoming minimalist. I love the journey of loving STUFF less, giving us time for relationships more!
Sandy says
I love this post. I’ve been going around my house today asking myself “what if I only had one….” and then filling in the blank with things like towel, plate, cup, shirt, pair of shoes, book ,etc. Very thought provoking!
Debbie says
I am new to this website. I have been trying to unpack for the past 15 months. I can not believe the amount of things I have saved over the years. Until 18 months ago my family of 6 lived in a very small house that was overrun with “stuff.” I regret the years that my children could not invite friends over because of my lack of keeping the house in order. Now I have donated boxes of useful items and have given many toys, etc. away to families who can use them. What I am struggling with is the continued guilt I feel for all the money and resources I wasted in the past and the mess that my children were forced to live in. while growninng up. I have one toddler left and am trying to redeem myself. Any suggestions on how to let go of guilt would be most appreciated. Thank you for your wonderful articles.
Debbie
Rowena says
Hi Debbie – in case noone got back to you…
Minimalism is lovely and what I choose – but in the end its just a choice.
I have a friend with a really welcoming home – toys and puzzles under completion everywhere, (clean) laundry on the lounge, kids (hers and the neighbours’) running about laughing, pets of all varieties… it sounds mad but its just a relief to be with with someone who lets it all hang out and is more interested in chatting with you than appologising for her house… Whenever I visit with my kids we all let out a huge sigh as we go in – it’s delightful, quirky, fun.
Be gentle with yourself – there are infinite ways to be a terrific Mum and homemaker and you get to try out as many as you like c:
devi says
Mate, guilt is just another bit of useless excess baggage. You’ve identified what was wrong, you’ve fixed it, you’ve learned the lesson, that means you can let go of it.
Someone said that you forgive when you stop wishing it would have been some other way. Sounds like that’s what you need to do to forgive yourself and move on.
Pamela says
Try to imagine all the families that are making good use of your unused items.
Joy @ Joyfully Green says
I like this idea in theory, but it would be hard to put into practice in our house with two small children–seems like it would add a lot more fighting and whining over the “one” thing they both want at the same time. I just don’t want to be a referee 24/7. But, I do agree that we need to rein in the consumerism and I’ve been blogging about that very topic lately. Like many Americans, we have the “luxurious problem” of having far too much stuff, and one of my goals this year is finding new homes for much of it (and the dump doesn’t count as one of those new homes).
Sheila says
I love this idea & I am constantly working on it.
Had to laugh at the “one coat” concept. We live in Alaska, you see, where even trying to live simply we have summer coats, “”warmer weather” winter coats, and coats for those below-zero stretches (sound crazy? Maybe…but recently it was 40 degrees in Jan–way too warm for my down jacket, but too cold for my lighter summer jacket. Two weeks later it is -4 and I’m back to my down jacket). Additionally, we have 4 kids, which means A LOT of gear. Boots, hats, gloves, scarves, cross-country ski gear (skis, pole, boots), sleds, bikes, scooters, kayaking gear (kayaks, paddles, life jackets)…etc. We use it ALL. We have a nice sized crawl-space where I store the out of season gear and go through it all twice a year at the changing of the seasons.
I never want to leave Alaska, but sometimes dream of living in a place that isn’t muddy, slushy, snowy or dusty most of the time. :)
Chris says
This may be the most logical approach to a lifestyle I’ve ever read. In the spirit of the posts I have but one word for you: Indeed.
sgtboz says
Any advice for converting a doubting spouse? This idea of life simplification is beautiful in every way. Admittedly, it is much easier for me than my bride and I would never force this issue. I am of the belief “a person convinced against their will is of the same opinion still.” Thus, is there a way to compromise and ease into something like this? Perhaps a trial run at some level with some type or category of item?
Thanks so much!
Sheila says
I have the same problem with my husband. I think you are definitely taking the correct approach though. I am doing the same and hoping he comes around eventually. :)
carole steinberg says
Yeah my husband is upset that I only have one set of sheets and one good knife. Not that he makes the bed or cooks, it just seems to bother him.
Jami says
I started my minimalist journey on my own, but kept my husband informed of what I was doing (cleaning out, decluttering, etc.) and how. After a few months (and after more stuff left the house and less came in), he seemed more interested. After a few more months he was legitimately inclined to take part and started going through his own boxes. Now he embraces the lifestyle, although I’m still the one that keeps us on track.
I’d say to give it time. If this is something you truly want, then hopefully your partner will support your efforts. If she comes around to join you, great!
Mark Adam Douglass (@MADouglass) says
Fabulous insight.
I did not realise, but I have been embracing the same idea in some areas, but can now mindfully and intentionally apply this to many more areas of my life.
Thanks for a great piece
Sandra Pawula says
I love the John the Baptist quote! The idea of one seemed reasonable to me until you got to the examples. One pen? I did try to live with three pens one year. It was challenging. But I’m on the path!
swalia says
This post really got me thinking…I have almost two or three of everything and I’m not talking about clothes or crockery…but the expensive electronic gadgets…how much money went down the drain buying all that stuff which seemed like a necessity at that time…wish I had learnt about minimalism earlier!