“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)
Walter says
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!
Kathy says
I have often had the same thoughts about cluttering other peoples house when I sell or give away something.
Eleanor Lebrecht says
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.
Jackie says
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!
Vicky says
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!
Cynthia Induni says
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.
Tracey says
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!
Alicia says
I have been emotionally attached to “stuff” all of my life. I am a frugal person and I like the idea of keeping things that you already have, “just in case” you will need them. I have caught the minimalism vision….FINALLY! I am so excited to break the emotional ties with stuff and spend my money, energy and time on relationships and experiences rather than……thinking about what I need to buy, shopping around for the best deal on what I NEED to buy, maintaining that thing that I NEEDED to buy, and disagreeing with my husband when he eventually says we NEED to get rid of it. I am tearing apart my entire house. I am taking pictures of the memorabilia that has been boxed up in my basements for 40 years, and then I am throwing or donating them. I DO NOT want to be chained to the past I want to live fully in the now. I wish all of you fellow minimalists well. Peace be your journey to simplicity!
Sherri says
I understand buying less, not feeling the need to go bigger or pricier just becaus society tells you you are supposed to. But I don’t understand how paring down what you already have (decorations, clothes, pots/pans, etc.) helps. I need to do that because I’m running out of room, and some of the kitchen gadgets I haven’t used in years, but I like having them Just in case I need them someday. What am I missing? I love the minimalist concept. But just not sure I fully understand it.
Meg says
Hi Sherri,
My advice would be to pick one room (the kitchen was my starting point) and just start. It’s hard to explain to someone that hasn’t tried this what a profound impact in can have on your life and I suppose not everyone has the same experience. Perhaps hanging on to things is important to you. I found that when I started it was a slow process as I dithered over the lemon zester, the garlic crusher and the cupboard full of electrical gadgets that all did only one thing. I put together two plastic tubs of things I only use for parties and stored them in the garage. We use them about four times a year and it’s also made it easy to loan the ‘party kit’ to friends so they don’t need to buy stuff. Then I went through each drawer and cupboard over several weeks, asking of each item “When did I use this last?” and “Will I ever really use this again?” My first sweep only removed a modestly sized box of things but the feeling of lightness and satisfaction was so strong it propelled me into the rest of the house. I laugh at that first box now. I’ve taken several more boxes out of the kitchen since then.
Start small. Know that you don’t need to live like a monk or even have a house where it’s obvious that you’re a minimalist. (Most people comment that they love my decorating style. They don’t know it’s all about simplification.) Don’t throw out anything you really love, even if you never use it. Start small and see how you feel. I hope that, like me, it gives you a happier life.
Jeannie says
Thanks Meg… Your post really helped me!! I am new at this also and know that somethings are harder to get rid of than others but I try to estimate hold old the “thing” is and when was the last time I used it… if I have to think that hard about it then out it goes. I can’t believe how long this process is really going to take… from drawer to drawer~~closet to closet etc etc. But seeing the progress already is encouraging to me so I really appreciate this site and everyone’s imput.. it am getting there!! :)
Cathy says
Thanks for the party box idea! I plan to try this out.
Paul says
I need to embrace this concept, especially at age 55 and the kids are grown. Its really tough when I have an emotional attachment to obsolete, unused items. Am I correct in thinking the process of becoming a minimalist is painful today to have simplicity tomorrow?
Meg says
Hi Paul, I’m also in my early 50’s and we also thought this process would involve pain. It hasn’t. It’s been surprisingly joyful. It really can feel like shedding an old skin. There is joy in seeing the pleasure on the faces of people that receive our excess as gifts (particularly young people just starting out), there is joy in knowing that what we can’t give to those we know we can give to charity so that it helps someone else (we decided not to sell stuff), and most of all, there is joy in the way our home feels clean, uncluttered and designed to house us and the things we love to do. It’s no longer a large storage space for accumulated stuff that begs our time to justify its existence.
Tina says
We got sets of china. I gave one to a friend who was getting married for the second time and had never had any “good” china. She was thrilled. I don’t need all the things I was given so I keep a sugar and creamer from each set of china I inherited and pass on the set. One service was for 24 so I kept a platter. When I go to a garage sale or rummage sale or thrift shop, I look for things my daughter in law collects, or a book I think my mother will enjoy. For me it is the thrill of the hunt. I don’t go to malls or big box stores unless I’m buying underwear or shoes. We’re in our 60’s and have been retired for over 10 years.
Dave@Your Financial Future says
My first flat had nothing but a bed and I used a suitcase to store my clothes. Man I miss those days everything was so simple!
Jonathan Look, Jr. says
I recently wrote an article for the Dallas Morning News about this very subject. There is definitely a simple luxury in living with less.
You can read the article here. http://lifepart2.com/the-stuff-of-life-why-i-sold-all-my-belongings-to-travel-the-world/