I love owning less.
I made a decision years ago to intentionally live with fewer possessions. It was born, mainly, out of my growing discontent with the focus of my life’s energy. As the size of my home increased and the number of things stuffed into closets grew, more and more time was spent caring for them.
While cleaning my garage one Saturday morning, I began to realize how much of my life was being stolen by the things that I own. As a result, the things that meant the most to me were being neglected. I immediately began to remove the nonessential.
Since deciding to own less, I’ve experienced countless benefits: more time, more money, more freedom, more energy, less stress, and less distraction.
Owning less provides me the opportunity to pursue my greatest passions. It’s great. And I’ll never go back to my previous lifestyle.
But along the way, I discovered something even better than owning less: Wanting less.
I’ll explain.
Not long ago, I was visiting a friend at his home down the street. As we were talking, he mentioned how nervous he was about the upcoming weekend. I began to ask why.
“Well,” he said, “we have some new friends coming over for dinner. And I’m a little embarrassed about the size of our house.” He proceeded to tell me the backstory.
Recently, he and his wife had met some new friends. And last weekend, they went to their house for dinner.
“Joshua, it was huge,” he remarked, “and beautiful and every room had gorgeous furniture in it. It was one of the nicest homes I’ve ever been in!”
But now, this coming weekend, their friends would be coming over to their home for the first time. And last weekend’s experience has left my friend self-conscious about the size of his home.
I went about my friendly-duty of assuring him he had nothing to worry about. Things would be just fine. His house was plenty big. And the feeling you get when you enter a home is far more important than square footage or the make of the furniture.
All the while, I felt a bit of sadness for him. What a crummy way to live… constantly scanning the possessions of others and comparing them to your own. There is no joy to be found in that approach to life. It will always lead to discontent and envy.
But soon after, I began to analyze the emotions and feelings I had experienced during his telling of the story. We had moved into a smaller home years ago and I couldn’t be happier with it—the benefits of a smaller home are fantastic. I don’t even want a bigger house anymore. I drive past them all the time and think to myself, “I’m sure glad I don’t have to take care of that big thing!”
As my friend was sharing his story, I began to reflect on how much my life has changed and how unattractive the constant pursuit of material possessions has become to me. Not only do I own less, I want less. And this is a wonderful place to be.
Because I don’t want to own more than I already have, I am freed from the constant comparing of my stuff to others. I am no longer bound to the incessant pursuit of more money and more stuff. I have found contentment in the things that I own. I have discovered more room for generosity. And I have begun to bend my pursuits towards things that matter.
Indeed, owning less is great, but wanting less is even better. (tweet that)
Jodie Jones says
One week ago we moved from our large home on a huge block to a modest home with a postage stamp backyard. I was exhausted from the effort of maintaining and caring for this place that impressed others but actually did not care for me in return. We halved our pocessions before the move. Still our double garage is full of things that don’t fit. And I’m so grateful they don’t because they are all going. I finally feel like the air is clear, I can breathe and I can see my life! My family and friends thought I was mad – but we still have the same friends and family, we still do the same things everyday. Nothing at all about our lives has been lost. Instead of living in a house for when people visit, my house needs to nurture what we need everyday. After all we are the ones that live there 99.9 percent of the time. Not the visitors!
Deb O. says
“Instead of living in a house for when people visit, my house needs to nurture what we need everyday.” Jodie, this profound! As Joshua would say, tweet that☺.
Kathy says
Agree. We live in a small house by choice. One area that we have really tried to focus in is having gratitude for the things we do have. It’s so refreshing to get rid of the stuff and clutter, but maintaining it and becoming a gate keeper of stuff has been an interesting journey. Now I think to myself, where will the new possession go?
Abbie M. says
I recently read an article about economic class and minimalism – summed up it said the poor can’t afford to be minimalist, but your article pointed out that its the mindset not the income that truly matters. Contentedness brings happiness and peace. I am 25, married, one kid, with one on the way, and am appalled at how much stuff we have amassed in the past 5 years despite several moves. This article has inspired/re-motivated me to free our lives up for real living! I have had a dream for years of gatherings in my home with something as simple as beef stew and biscuits, guess I need to make it happen!
Anita Goza-Solomon says
I love that I, too, became a minimalist about 9 years ago. You see, my husband died of pancreatic cancer and we were not at all prepared for such a horrific life change. We were still getting the kids out of school and looking forward having time by ourselves. After his death and having to deal with the aftermath, I realized that all the things he worked on so hard didn’t really matter any more. All the things he saved had no real meaning. All that mattered to me were my memories of him and our pictures. I learned in a very short time that “stuff” means nothing. The more “stuff” there is, the more “stuff” people have to deal with after you die. I didn’t want our kids to ever have to deal with my “stuff” when I die so I started getting rid of so much junk. If it meant anything to them, they could have it. I gave things away. I threw things away. I didn’t need a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house anymore. I wanted a tiny 800 sq ft house. I sold my house. I got completely out of debt. I have nothing in storage. I figured if I have to store it, I don’t need it. I don’t have anything in my closet that I won’t/can’t wear. I only have 4 towels and 12 wash cloths. I have one set of sheets. What I have is nice. I’m proud of what little I have. When I die, my kids won’t have to deal with very much. I feel sorry for people, especially young people, who set themselves up in debt for more more more and bigger bigger bigger and none of it satisfies them, yet they just keep on buying buying buying to impress impress impress. I can truly and honestly say that I am so happy with my life and I don’t need or want any more than I have.
Tessa says
I loved your post. Thanks for sharing
Joyce Allgaier says
Well done and well said. You are a strong person!
Donna says
I am very sorry about your husband. Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am finding myself thinking the way you think. I am allowing my daughter to keep what she wants, and everything else is going to be donated or pitched. I want less and to live more!
Gloria Mcmillian says
Kind of sad to think you don’t even want but bare basics and not even that. If for some reason you soil sheets I guess you sleep on bare mattress or whatever you sleep on. I am no minimalist and enjoy my possessions because I love nice things. But I get that many who never knew less find themselves wanti g less. But some take it a bit too far. I never saw a house too big. I don’t think it needs constant cleaning unless many people living always in every room. I simply enjoy wandering throughout and decorating a large house. I also love land and outbuildings and barns for livestock. Of course livestock also. I am not big on lots of cars. But a huge beautiful old house with many rooms is great. I only want a small house if by the beach for get aways. I do enjoy lots of family visiting and staying around. You need more than one set of sheets if having friends, family and grandchildren spending weeks. Along with huge holiday dinners requires more than one set of silverware. To each their own. I grew up in a tiny house with 10 people. I like big.
Francie says
Kind of sad I think. All that stuff will never truly fulfill you.
Kathy says
Sounds like your possessions are indeed a happy part of your life, along with the hospitality of having lots of friends and family there. Enjoy!
JoAnn Netta says
I loved your post , after losing my husband of over 40 years to pancreatic cancer six years ago I tried to maintain the house that he built for me right before he died and I have decided to sell it , retire and move in with one of my Daughters because she asked me to , so for the past two weeks I’ve been just realizing that all the stuff that he accumulated over the years it’s just stuff it means nothing so as I begin to minimize and get rid of all our stuff, I know less is better for everyone….. no need to hold on to so much stuff …. Bless you and thanks for sharing .
Henk Geertsema says
Sorry to hear about your loss.(My mother once marched me through their house, pointing out 4 or 5 meaningful items to keep after they die – which I agreed with. As I don’t have children, I will pass on those items my sister’s children – which made me realise that we are just temporary custodians of stuff.) You make some excellent points about stuff. I was born a minimalist- and do find it liberating on a mental and spiritual level. I love cooking, but only have 2 steel pots, a pan, and a ceramic stew pot. No need for anything else! People, laughter and stimulating conversation fills any lack of stuff.
Debbie Andraska says
We are getting ready to move to Texas from Kansas and are looking to downsize home. I’ve already started downsizing and selling stuff. It’s refreshing. Now I’m hooked. I want to get rid of more and more now.
Charlette says
Enough is as good as a feast….don’t know the origin of this wisdom but have used it as a mantra in my life. Love your posts.
Suzy Toronto says
I too can honestly and sincerely say that I don’t want more. I drove by my previous “McMansion” home last week and actually felt sorry for the new owners having to take care of that lovely but huge place. I envisioned them roaming through those cavernous rooms that now echo in my mind and I am grateful I learned to be happy with less. My new place is perfect for me.
Len says
After reading your blog I felt good about myself. It kind of validate what I have been practicing especially of late. I still go shopping for clothes , for food but not on luxury goods anymore such as branded bags and jewelry, or car. I just realized why would I still purchase these expensive items when I just keep them away and seldom use them. I already got over them. Why would I need a luxury car that is high maintenance when what I have is a reliable one? Why would I spend $5K for another LV when I already have more than I can use that I bought years ago for lesser amount and they only go out of the cabinet during special occasions? Why would I need more jewelry when I don’t even have the time to change what I am already wearing? Funny isn’t it?
Now that I know someone shares my thinking , I am all the more determined to wanting less and just keep the money for other better use. I am able to help a relative purchase a vehicle as a means of livelihood , helped a student finished a dentistry degree, pledge a big amount to my church, as well as offer weekly tithing, give donations to charities, and contribute / share to some noble causes. I am just middle class but because of now wanting less, I feel free.
Thanks again to your article, you validated me without you knowing it.
Jenny says
5 years ago, I moved everything out of my kitchen to have it re-painted throughout. After 6 weeks of gradually bringing in the stuff i used, I decided to give everything else away. Now if I have any kind of big party – out come the plastic plates! Thankfully none of my family are that posh that they would expect their meals on china. :-)
Vincent Lee says
I used to own a 700+ sf condo. Being my first huge investment, I spent more money than I should decorating the space so that “I can be a better host”. Things just started accumulating and it took a major career change to make me realize how much time and money I have wasted. Three years later, I have decluttered, let go of much stuff, and proud to keep my possession within a 8′ by 6′ shed. Thanks for continuing to inspire Joshua!
Fawn says
I enjoyed reading this so much. Joshua your blog has been an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.