“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)
copyproof says
Hi. I am a new reader and I felt really fascinated by your writings.
I think the layout is perfect, the picture is very artistic, and the writings are very interesting. :)
Terry Hadaway says
Great word, Joshua. Thanks for the challenge.
Jane says
http://www.newdream.org,
is an organization that advocates celebrating the things that does not have monetary value, slowly reinventing the ” american dream”.
Bohemian Christian Chelle says
I’ve been on this journey for a while now, and it’s still so hard to get rid of some things. I’ve learned to be ruthless. If it’s not bringing me joy, why should I have it around?
Thanks for sharing your story. It encourages all of us.
Be blessed!
~Chelle
Adam says
Owning less is 100% the answer to a better life. It’s hard to see this at first, but once you really start living it out, it changes your life!
The Maui Taoist says
To be the best minimalist…don’t thing in ways such as “limiting your possessions”
That is a negative statement… I prefer to think of “expanding my opportunities”
The Maui Taoist says
Owning less is ALWAYS the best answer to finding your spirit…..
AND What is more important than that?…….
Nothing!
Bethany @ Journey to Ithaca says
I think there is a progression, though. It starts with getting rid of possessions, but that leads to becoming intentional in other areas: your time, your thoughts, your relationships, your money, etc. Minimalism has come to mean so much more than limiting possessions, to us.
Amy Rogers says
I agree, and now that our kids are entering the teenage years, we are realizing more and more how little time we have with them. They are busy NOW, and will be leaving SOON! Why invest a second more into things, when we have these wonderful people to build relationships with under our roof for such a short time.
Thank you for your blog. I enjoy it very much and am inspired by your journey daily.
Jesscia says
I have minimalized a lot of my posessions over the last months and for the first time I get to experience this freedom I heard every minimalist talking about that comes when minimalism starts doing its magic.
Experiencing this myself right now, I can tell you it’s both great and terrifying as I get pulled out of my comfort zone almost automatically every day now.
I don’t know yet if minimalism leads to a *better* life as this is still too new for me, but I can say that it definitely leads to a more interesting life.