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
laura m. says
Seems the kitchen is the most problematic on reducing duplicates and clutter; group homes, children’s group homes, women’s crisis centers, rescue missions, church thrift shops and Salvation army will find uses for extra dishes, pots, glass wear , coffee mugs, linens, blankets, etc. Much can be sold at flea mkts. or places that buy outright to resell. Retirees should be downsizing, handing down items, etc to live more simple and carefree lives. Each item needs cleaning, dusting, and eats up time that could be spend on something else. If I see something I really like in a clothing item, I get several if on sale in the right colors and classic style. Ditto for shoes as I am active outdoors.
Beth says
Those of us who dry laundry on a clothesline need a few duplicates so we have something to wear, put on the bed, dry ourselves with, while the laundry dries. :-)
“One” of everything may be a bit extreme for most of us, but I do like the principle of having just what you need and no more.
Susan says
I have a terrible habit of buying articles of clothing in duplicate. I have too many identical pairs of jeans, which, despite being identical, still seem to not all fit and feel the same. And that causes me to only wear my favorite fitting pair over and over, and the others get shoved to the back of the closet. Same with tops, I find a top I like and I buy several more of that style in different colors. But I end up only wearing the black one or the white one, over and over. Repeat this problem with shoes….yep, I have a closet full off shoes, but only wear one or 2 pair. It’s painful to see how much money I have wasted that could have been put to better use. 20 years ago, I had very little money for clothes, so I owned maybe 2 pair of pants and 4 shirts. I also realize now that I was much happier and content with my wardrobe than I am now.
pinkangelgirl says
I love the idea of just 1! But for some it can be scary. My husband is Mr prepared and so there must always be a back up, or 2 or 3. When he buys something he naturally buys 2 just in case etc. I’ve always been the opposite and sometimes have run out of something when Ive needed it but things can be easily replaced ‘IF’ you do find you don’t have that thing anymore.
Jane says
Watching the show “hoarder” always scare me, I often find myself getting rid of stuff after watching that show. For some it has become a disease, and they end up needing professional help.
Valerie says
I haven’t always been a purger like I am now, but I have never owned more than one set of sheets for my bed at any one time. Take them off, wash them and put them back on. It never occured to me to have a backup set. I’ve given this idea of duplicates some thought in the past, and realized that if there is a specific place for something, I’m likely to have just one. Like my toothbrush – it’s always in a cup next to the sink – it’s never misplaced, and I never have to go looking for it. But scissors, for example, get moved around, and I find myself buying another pair because I MISPLACED them. So if everything had a specific home, I would only need one. It’s all about location, location, location! :)
Hailey Rene says
I love the idea of having just one of something, although for me, it is hard in practice for some things like pens and bags. I have a couple of these to fill different needs. But still trying to cut down as much as possible.
One place I have been successful in this is in the kitchen. I now only have one small pot and one spatula, etc. This is a great thing to strive for.
Liz says
I am still in the getting rid of mind set, though the temptation is always out there for getting more of everything. I feel so guilty when I give in and realize I have just spent over 300 dollars on stuff. I have more purses and shoes than I can wear, probably close to 100 shoes. This is crazy and driving me nuts! Sometimes I look in my closet and I am so overwhelmed with the amount of clothes I have it’s driving me crazy and I can’t figure out what to wear each and every time. This all sounds so freeing, I need to continue to get rid of all this that’s keeping me from enjoying this beautiful world God made and how I can help the next person in need.
Gaori Agrawal says
Hi Joshua,
That’s a beautiful quote!
While the practical application of owing one, like you have mentioned, will vary from household to household, I totally agree with the concept of owning less.
This approach can help us to shift our focus from purely materialistic pursuits to simple things that actually matter and bring us joy!
Thanks for sharing such a thought provoking post!
Gaori
Alexoaia Codrut says
My challenge since 2011 till now was to keep everything light, so I can start travel at any given time. 25 minutes for packing all my stuff. Who knows what needs I’ll might have in the future, but for now, this is way better than to own a bunch of stuff I really do not need.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Old4fSYLTzc
Everything I own can be packed in less than 25 minutes. One small backpack for the laptop and another one with clothes and camping gear (I’m a camping guy, kind of having my house with me all the time and I love nature, I prefer to sleep near the ocean than sleeping in a concrete box).
Since 2011 when I gave away all my belongings I had less than 60 objects. It allowed me to be free actually, because I am a nomad and being able to pack and leave within one hour it’s the most freeing thing I could live by.
And of course that some of my socks break free and they went somewhere together. They have this habit, they hide all the time, now two of them took a vacation also. They will be back, I know it. They always do