“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
Ten years ago, we sold, donated, or discarded over 60% our 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.
At the time, the idea of owning fewer possessions was completely foreign to us. Nobody had ever told us living with fewer possessions was an option for life… much less a better alternative to the endless pursuit of more and more.
Looking back, while I would have never admitted with my words that I was seeking joy in possessions, I had become more influenced by our consumer-driven culture than I would like to admit. As a result, I worked long hours to earn money to buy newer technology, trendier clothing, nicer toys, faster cars, and bigger houses. I didn’t really believe the purpose of life was to chase possessions, but my calendar and checkbook sure seemed to declare that truth.
Choosing to intentionally live with fewer possessions was a decision that sounded surprisingly attractive. It was a decision that found its roots in our finances, our family, and our faith. We had grown weary of living paycheck to paycheck, weary of trading time with our kids to manage our possessions, and weary of pursuing worldly gain rather than lasting purpose. Owning less offered escape from the clutter in our homes. It offered escape from the clutter in our lives. It forced intentionality. And it offered the very ideals our hearts most desperately desired.
Since choosing to live with less, we have experienced numerous unexpected benefits. We have more time, more energy, more freedom, and more money to pursue what is most important to us. Owning less means less cleaning, less burden, less anxiety, and less stress each and every day. In short, we are freed to pursue our passions.
Over the years, I have come to define minimalism as the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. I have found it to be a lifestyle that appeals to the heart and resonates with the soul. Owning less is an invitation that is appreciated, desired, and accepted when fully understood.
Minimalism may be just the answer to a better life that you’ve been searching for all along. (tweet that)
I completely resonate with this perspective! Owning less has brought a sense of clarity and peace to my life. It’s amazing how much lighter you feel when you let go of unnecessary things. Thanks for sharing these insights!
…. I’ve also kept some of my mom photos taken when I was 4. Can’t remember the last time I saw her again but those are treasured because they can’t be gone forever. the few I have found gave me joy knowing we had some good moments as a family .
I have things from relatives who have passed that have meaning to me and I find it hard to part with those items. Any thoughts on what to do with those items?
I hear that if you take a photo of these treasures it is easier to part with them. I often think of what it will be like for my children to sort through all the clutter when they are in grief. Grief makes you hold onto much more than you can even imagine ever using. I am trying to give them the important things now. They will be free to dispose of these things as soon as I pass or before.
The young generation on a whole like their homes modern and stream lined. No room for old fashioned clutter. :)
Keep them, why get rid of them if these items have meaning?
Amy, on another of Joshua Becker’s writings someone commented that they took photos of items that held sentimental value before donating or selling them, then made a note next to the photo regarding its meaning & significance. I thought that was brilliant. Store it all in a folder on your computer. (iCloud, or wherever)
Amy, I have found that over time one or two pieces retain all the love and memories and the rest become a burden. My dad passed away 8 years ago and it took me ages to give everything of his away. In the end, I kept two sweaters that truly remind me of him – they’re also very comfortable for lounging. The rest was a hindrance to my healing. I asked myself what my dad would wish for me – and decided he’d want me to remember him fondly when the memory surfaced, but not be reminded at every turn. But this process is different for everyone. And it only works if what you desire most is a clean, calm, peaceful home and mental space.
My mom died four years ago. As time has moved forward I have chosen two small things to remember her by and have found those more comforting than having all the things I originally kept. I have now taken pictures of the rest and donated them to an organization helping refugees get settled. That felt amazingly good.
I had many “keepsakes” A wise man said when I started downsizing to take a picture of the ones I didn’t have room for. I have an album of pictures along with the memories. I gifted or sold 5 boxes of keepsakes.
The mice that got into the garage helped. I was upset for about five minutes that they’d chewed, peed, and poo’d in all those boxes of things. But then I realized those things were old college research papers and those lame certificates you get for everything under the sun during grade school. I didn’t really care about any of it, which is why it hadn’t seen the light of day in years. I threw it all out. What a relief!
I actually find that shopping in more expensive places is better for both my pocketbook (ironically) and my closet. I actually spend less when the items cost more because I have to ask myself if I either really need it, will actually use it a lot, or if I absolutely love it. I don’t even buy everything I absolutely love because it doesn’t pass the other tests. On the other hand, I can walk out of Marshall’s with two large bags full of stuff because it was “cheap”. But it adds up to the same amount as that one we’ll-made item and it adds clutter. Which was the better buy? Bags of stuff made in Malaysia or one tweed jacket made in NYC from wool sourced in the U.K.?
Gosh I absolutely love this, Jill. Very well put! Our local industries are in mass decline, our friends and family who own small, niche, independent businesses struggle to compete with their quality products with cheap, poor quality, non-sustainable items. It’s a no-brainer! Buy less of better quality. Everyone wins, especially our planet!
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve screenshot your reply to serve as a reminder for me. X
Brava!!!
I’m in the beginning stages and I’m finding the things that belong to my parents or grandparents that I still have that are hard for me to get rid of because of the memories. I now take a digital photo of it and that way it’s always with me mentally. Then I can find someone who can use it ……I can then give it up gladly.
Also when I do have to buy something I buy the best quality that I can afford……that way I won’t have to replace it before it’s time.
I also belong to a group on fb that people are in search of things. I’ve gotten rid of a microwave ,plants ,dishes ,clothes etc. to people who need them
I think before one can get rid of stuff and stay committed to getting rid of the superfluous stuff in their environment, one must first start using less stuff.
For instance. Using less electricity. Fewer lamps, for example. Less electricity, fewer curling irons, or close dryers… Less electricity, fewer kitchen gadgets that need it. Before we can eliminate things from our life, whether it is clothing, shoes, furniture, gadgets, knick knacks, whatever, we must, must, first relinquish our dependence on them. Do laundry more often, wash dishes by hand, cook differently. Dependence on convenience is a good portion of what drives the need for more stuff and clutter. Tiny house living is nothing new. My grandma had a very tiny house with a passel of kids in it. But they only had what they needed… There wasn’t room for anything else. They were minimalists and didn’t know it.
The first step to minimalistic living is using less, of everything.
A million years ago I came across two books that changes my life and address your very admonition: “we’ve got to live with less..”
The books were, The More with Less Cookbook, and, Living More with Less.
Far ahead of its time considering today’s now awareness of consumerism.
But how does a crafter apply this maxim? Creating requires inspiration, which improves with options, variety, often multi-media. I have purged a great deal of personal stuff, but cannot limit my beading as I enjoy free form, multi-media bead embroidery. I also like to crochet and switch from one handi-art to the next.
Any ideas to share?
I’m very interested in the responses to your question Stephanie. I’m a quilter and have quilted for 20 years. Just saying…..
my understanding is to get rid of clutter so you have time and room to focus on what you value. You value your crafting so why get rid of it?
OLDER PEOPLE on this site, PLEASE TAKE HEED, if your grown children say they do not want something, PLEASE do not take offense and PLEASE believe them…they DONT want it, No sense in holding on to these items.
Had a funny conversation with my oldest, (29years old), I told her I was going down to one set of dishes, she said she was sad I was getting rid of the Christmas dishes….I told her she could have them….but she doesn’t want them either.
So if the kids don’t want them and I don’t want them anymore….its time to let them go, no more extra dishes, one simple cream colored set.
I had a set for every season, but decided I can live with one set. will be taking the extras to the women’s shelter. So that’s two more boxes of things leaving, boxing them up and putting them in car this weekend….Forward Progress….
I agree 100% I sold all of our 20 place settings of the Lenox fine bone china, all the sterling silver forks knives spoons and all the Waterford crystal. Felt so freeing…..
I’ve lived minimalist since 1980 when I moved away to university. Since then I’ve moved all over the country to work in new locations, and I loved being able to just pick up and move within a day.
My biggest challenge now though is my book and old clothing clutter. The books are all reference books that I may not use for a year or two, but then suddenly become indispensable when I do need them. I get rid of old editions when new ones come in, but still I struggle to figure out how to thin the ones I have.
My problem with clothing is that old clothing you normally give away or throw out or turn into rags gets a second life because I need it for working in the bush or tundra, where you don’t care if it gets stained with dirt, bug repellent, squished bugs and blood, or gets torn. So I end up with clothing that is for field use only, and once again, it may sit there for most of the year taking up space, but when I need it, it is indispensable. Usually, I’ll destroy a set of shirts in one field season (pants last longer), so that removes some of the stuff, but there’s always “new” old stuff wearing out and getting moved from every day use to just field use.
I could still probably move in a day, but it would be a very long day and would take a pick-up truck with a trailer (far cry from when I could fit everything two of us needed into a mid-sized car, and drive across the country to start a new life).
Incidentally, ten years ago we furnished our new place with belongings people were throwing away or selling at garage sales, and we spent about $150 in total, and our place looked quite good. People couldn’t believe we had furnished the place for that cheap (people throw away such good stuff at times, especially in some of the fancier neighbourhoods). When we moved across the country again 3 years later we just sold what we could and donated the rest, and once again, fit everything we needed into the car. It is easy to walk away from belongings if you haven’t spent a fortune obtaining them in the first place, and it brings a sense of freedom to be so mobile.
First, I want to thank you for such awesome posts and ideas. You inspire me. I am a minimalist for years now and I am getting even more strict with myself as I age. What is to hard to clean, what is to heavy to move, what gets in the way and never used. It is a lifestyle, I agree and it is so freeing. What I do is twice a year…Spring and Fall, I have a garage/yard sale…this I find to not be just fun to do, but gets even more out of the house, I make some vacation money and I love the social aspect of it as I am about as organized with my sales as I am about the inside of the house. Thanks for such a great site that I love to read and pick up even more tips.
I have found an extremely simple yet effective tool that I use when purchasing an item. I have taken my paycheck and calculated my hourly pay rate after ALL deductions. I will then look at the price of the item in question. The price of a so called “inexpensive” item may actually require me to “work” three hours for it. A large expensive purchase may literally require me to “work” many months for it. Having this mindset has totally changed my purchasing habits.
That’s exactly the same thing that I’ve done forever. I considered how many hours it would take for me to work to pay for the item and it does make you think carefully if the item is worth it.
i can move in 15 minutes …
I LOVE this. New inspiration/goal! :)
“The more we own , the more we are HERE , the more the others see us”
This is the way we are grown up on by our society and advertisements..
I’ve been working on purging my home for the last month so it’s still new and fresh. I’ve found the question to ask myself when I see an object to get rid of or something I’m looking to buy is, “Is it worth my freedom?” Can’t remember which article I read that line in but it’s gold! Is it worth working x hours to buy? Or is it worth x minutes of my day to clean/organise/tidy up?
It is so awesome to hear so many people discussing minimalism in a positive context. It is so rare where I live for people to understand what I am talking about, and it is so refreshing to read through these comments and to see how many people ‘get it’. People just don’t seem to get it, even when I try my very best to explain to them that minimalism allows me to follow my passions, to live intentionally, and to rid myself of the burdens that come with more possessions. As a minimalist, I am free to pursue my passions and to spend my days doing things (both socially and professionally) that I love doing.
After reading lots of articles on minimalism I have done a lot over the last year. I’ve sold a ton of things, cleared most of my garage and sold one of my two motorcycles. My bank now has a good emergency fund and I have a lot less things to take care of. As I sold so many things I could not help to feel guilty that I might be cluttering someone else’s house by selling them all of these things. Now my house looks way too big for my wife and I, but will keep as an investment and we like the are so will keep for a while. I look for things to sell every day, take pictures and research about it to put a good description and everything no matter what it is sells on craigslist or ebay or amazon. I feel great now and don’t plan to ever having so many things again. I was able to focus more and got a promotion at work and working on a second promotion now in less than a year. I remember that Steve Job’s desk only had a computer and nothing else. That will certainly make me concentrate! I still have a ways to go, but I have more ideas to reduce even more. I read at least one article per day. Thanks!
I have often had the same thoughts about cluttering other peoples house when I sell or give away something.
Being raised very poor, I always wanted to have more for my family. When garage sales with great items came along I could get all of the STUFF cheap and so I did. Then I got too much. I hired a gal to help me clean out a few times but then I gathered again.
Being introduced to minimalism has turned my thinking to a more positive direction. Now I am working towards something rather than going away from something. I am really enjoying the process and the fear of not having is going fast. And it is FUN and FREEING.
I’ve been following you for a while now. I love your writing. Thanks for breaking down simplicity/minimalism into manageable actions. Also, I appreciate your direct style of writing – to the point!
My husband and I have a home packed with “stuff.” We retired about 5 months ago and purchased a motorhome. We have been traveling across country for over 3 months, taking very little “stuff” with us, since there is limited space. We have done remarkably well and have lacked for nothing! We plan to throw away/donate, etc things that we really don’t need when we return home. Wish us luck!
We found the same thing. I worked as a traveling RN. We carried with us whatever fit in the car. When we finally bought a house and all our stuff was shipped I looked at it in disbelief and thought “Wow, why do we need all of that?” We clearly hadn’t needed it for several years.
Oh how I wish I’d known this 30 years ago! The thought of less stress and more time with the kids……Ah well, more time with grandkids!