From the outdated kitchen to the pastel-colored walls in the downstairs bedrooms, walking into my grandparents’ house was like entering a time machine. It was a world of midcentury furniture (not the kind from special art dealers or collectors; these were the default options, purchased mostly in the 50’s).
There was a desk in the hallway, reading chairs in the living room, classic rugs, houseplants, and a grandfather clock in the entryway. The sectional was minimal and left room for plenty of guests. My grandmother would always read on the couch, and stacks of magazines filled many of the nearby cabinets.
They never identified as minimalists when I was growing up—frankly, the term hadn’t been popularized yet—but everything had its purpose and place. The home felt complete with pieces that fit together like the perfect puzzle.
Growing up, I looked in their home with awe. I have countless fond memories of summer vacations and family holidays in their loving home. They seemed to have it all together. I wanted that.
When I was older, I felt this social pressure to make a complete home from day one. To leave anything incomplete seemed somehow against a cultural norm.
It wasn’t until adulthood that a simple realization clicked: my grandparents took years to purchase a household of goods. They had decades together to acquire their belongings. And their home wasn’t always like this; they consciously acquired things when needed.
Stuff was expensive, too. This was all before the cheap labor and overseas manufacturing of the Walmarts of the world (heck, they didn’t even exist back then).
My grandparents lived within their means every step of the way, depending on what was in their wallets. They carefully analyzed every purchase, and reused everything they could. Maybe that’s the consequence of being a product of the Great Depression? Who knows.
What we do know is that our world has changed dramatically since then. The rise of easy credit has allowed for ballooning consumer debt—from about $2,000 in the 1950s to $16,000 in 2016.
Now, we are instant gratification generations—swiping now and paying over time.
We expect to have everything at once, but we’re going broke in the process. Our credit cards have larger limits, products are cheaper, and buying is as easy as a click online.
We make pilgrimages to furniture stores, fantasize about spaces before we’ve set foot in a place, and browse websites that give idealized examples of carefully crafted rooms. The world is primed and expecting our consumption.
Each represents a radical departure from the lifestyles of the Greatest Generation.
I can’t help but think our ancestors knew something about minimalism that society downplays now.
When my wife and I first got married, we moved into a two-bedroom apartment and purchased only a table set for $99. Oh, and a bed—we needed that (for a number of reasons). Our living room furniture and bedroom set were hand-me-downs from her family.
We received a television set as a wedding gift. Our next purchase, months later, was a computer and desk.
We replaced the living room furniture 18 months later during a cross-country move. We used the $99 kitchen table and chairs for 13 years. And still use the bedroom set handed down to us from her grandparents.
Our home took years to make whole. And I don’t think I’d change a single thing about the process. It is a story of slow acquisition.
But outfitting a home slowly and intentionally carries a number of benefits:
1. It prevents debt. Buying home furnishings and decorations is a costly endeavor. Accumulating slowly helps prevent the danger of starting out with costly consumer debt—it can take years to overcome financial mismanagement.
2. It spurs intentionality and thoughtfulness. When we accumulate slowly, we are more likely to thoughtfully weigh the significance of our purchases. Is this really needed? If so, what is the best option and avenue for purchase? The more deliberate we are in our timeline, the more intentional we become in the process.
3. It slows the accumulation of clutter and excess. The slower we purchase, the slower we accumulate life-draining clutter.
4. It grants freedom in lifestyle. Consumer purchases inhibit freedom. They require money, time, and energy to acquire and maintain.
Therein laid my grandparents’ powerful lesson: to make our home ours, we couldn’t buy stuff immediately to recreate or mimic another’s space. Instead, we thoughtfully considered what we needed and budgeted carefully for each addition.
Despite living in a world of accessibility and easy consumption, we all need to find ways to slow down. The “perfect” item will remain or can be recreated, if necessary. Sales come and go. And your favorite big-box retailer probably won’t be going out of business any time soon.
Give yourself the opportunity to make your space yours. But as you do, don’t forget to consider the merits of acquiring pieces slowly.
Never be in a hurry to spend money you don’t have.
About Joshua Becker
Hey, thank you for writing this. This hits home for me as I feel pressured by countless ‘minimalist’ blogs or videos out there of which the shots taken inside the living space are so aesthetically-pleasing. It’s so dear to the eyes, and I myself have accumulated pins on Pinterest about modern minimalist style.
But I can’t measure up. I live in a family home which was built in the 70’s or 80’s, hence the architectural design and taste is quite different. My parents bought furnitures like sofa and reading chairs with ornate decoration which are totally the misfits in the world of modern furnitures, but they blend so well with the old home.
This makes me feel I’m an outcast and I don’t have the right to call myself a minimalist, just because I live in a hand-me-down-decorated living space. I don’t feel eligible to take pictures or videos about my minimalism tips because I’m afraid someone will chirp that my room layout and furnitures don’t represent modern minimalist black-and-white taste.
But I’m a minimalist at heart. I don’t buy new furnitures because the old sofa and chairs can still be used. I removed the unnecessary items. I decluttered. I buy things I really need, not what I want despite they might look good in the new aesthetic.
Thank you for a slap to my face. I’m still a minimalist despite my house doesn’t look so.
Yes! Thank you so much! This was a wonderfully timed reminder for me as my husband and I are about to move into a new home, and it’s the first home that we own. Now that we actually own the place, and thus have much more control over its appearance, I feel like there has been so much pressure and expectation to paint and renovate, make sure all the decor goes together and the furniture is matching. I didn’t have much desire of my own to do those things, at least not all right away, and it’s been overwhelming and stressful for me. Reading this helped alleviate that, and I know it’s okay to take my own sweet time.
A youthful couple I know as of late got another home and inside possibly 14 days of living there, the house was outfitted through and through. Everything obtained without a moment’s delay and conveyed. Beds, lounge room furniture, lounge area set, and so on. It was delightful, however it seemed somewhat odd … as it took me years to obtain such things ; )
Thank you so much for this article – it really rings true for me. Although my grandparents didn’t easily get rid of their possessions, but also didn’t add to them rapidly. They bought what they could afford and didn’t worry about trends and style the way so many do today.
I remember my grandparent,s house. They had everything they needed, granny was cooking 100 times more often than I do, and their house was never ever cluttered. How come? We were always using the same glassess from the same cupboards, there was always the same table which could handle any amount of people, everythong was so functional… everything had either a functional value or some history in it. It was so calm, so ordered… I look at my appartment and I feel just devastated.. there are so so many things here and so little of them has any meaning for me. Today I started my way with this blog, keep your fingers crossed for me please :). I really need to unclutter my life, just started with books today.
Yes! This is how our home has developed. Both my husband and I were fairly transient in our 20s, met and settled down in our early 30s. The first place we rented together came almost entirely furnished. Then we moved into the first home of our own. With a new mortgage there was no way we could afford to buy stuff! My parents very kindly bought us a refrigerator as a moving in present. My Nana brought me a vacuum cleaner (oh how my priorities changed, I thought that was the best gift ever). We had a collection of random things we’d acquired over the years (a cutlery set my husband had been given as Christmas present at job he had many years before), family and friends passed on things (the dining table of my childhood, my friend’s Nana’s old couch) and we purchased a few pieces of furniture second hand. Over the last 10 years, we have been gradually replacing these items with new, or new-to-us items, that better reflect our own tastes and preferences.
This is such an important aspect of minimalism that seems to be so rarely discussed. Reading this made me realize that minimalism is as much an active process as it is a passive one. So often we talk about the active part – the decluttering, the donating, the things you can do to make minimalism happen now. It’s less often that anyone talks about the passive parts of the process. To abstain from buying. To wait. To not take action immediately. In a lot of ways not taking action is a lot harder than taking action, especially in our on-the-go, instant gratification driven society. I learned so much from reading this post. Thank you.
Awesome article, and extraordinary remarks.
I have some leftover furniture and some stuff I purchased new more than thirty years prior. All great quality. Clearly not the most recent in vogue things, but rather it suits me fine. I am scaling back. Having less can rest easy.
I really enjoy your analyzing and description of these two, very different, eras. When my husband and I first married both of our families gave us so much stuff. Then when we moved into our home they gave us even more.
His family had very post-depression attributes that led to them picking up every free thing off the side of the road. My family used plastic to keep up with everything during tough winters, but also to update worn furniture.
In the end my husband and I have ended up with a small debt that we are hoping to demolish this year, as well as a home and storage space that is filled to the brim with items we thought we may use someday.
This is why we pursue minimalism. Not so much because it’s popular, but instead because we want a home that is carefully and slowly crafted with care and intention. First, however we have to remove all the clutter and unnecessary things, as well as debt, before we can fill our space with what we love and need.
Thank you for such an inspiring article!
I do agree on this. My grandparents lived very simple also and everything they owned they aquired slowly or created it by themselves (my grandfather was a carpenter). Money was short all the time and they always invested in their children and later grandchildren first.
I used to say to my children, there has to be a period of longing to get the best out of something they wished for.
Now grown & flown I’d like to think they do the same with their little ones.
I totally agree that never spend money in a rush that we don’t have. That’s how people get into serious debt like credit card debt.
It really helps to plan and slow down while asking the why. Do you really need this piece of item? Does that enhance your life?
A young couple I know recently got a new home and within a week or two of living there, the home was furnished from top to bottom. Everything purchased at once and delivered. Beds, living room furniture, dining room set, etc. It was beautiful, but it did seem a bit odd …as it took me years to acquire such things ; )
Both my grandparents and parents were minimalists, although like you said, never actually used the term to describe themselves.
Stuff was scarce, as well as expensive back then so most household items were passed on from generation to generation.
When I first moved on my own, my grandma insisted I take some small furniture and kitchen supplies she had already prepared for me. I tried explaining you can find mostly anything you need nowadays, but she insisted I take her stuff and keep my money.
Mentality was clearly a lot different a couple generations ago. Although I can afford to buy my own plates and cutlery, I think my grandma’s main idea had less to do with money and more with keeping the tradition going.
As I a 25 year old this article is an inspiration for me. I’m slowly easing my way into a minimalist lifestyle. I love this even tho I don’t own a home I take minimalist principles to heart.
You are so wise Jasmine. If only I knew at 25 what I know today. I look back on items I wasted money on and wish I could turn back the clock. Stay the course, you will be so glad you did.
What an excellent strategy and a post all 16, 17 and 18 year olds should read before entering the world of adults. Of course, all us adults need it too, as we quickly forget that we don’t need to have everything today.
Instant gratification is a hard thing to deal with in today’s modern society, but it has to stop. We have to get back to taking time to make decisions and truly mastering the moment of decision. If we don’t we will continue to be a herd led by modern society’s horrific desires.
We try to teach our younger clients that to create the home they long for, we need to curate rather than quickly collect. We help them develop a plan then work the plan. Waiting for interesting pieces that are also functional is a great way to build a home that will be the Perfect LBD!-Laurel
Somewhere there are the pieces to a large table made from all kinds of scrap- a door, sea glass, river rock, odd legs from salvage, metal edging, nail heads and wheels so it can roll around the room to suit the mood.
It is a desk, dining table, gallery, art piece, work space…its the center of a studio I will live in.
Once I get it made, I will think very carefully…
about a chair.
.
Great article, and great comments.
I have some hand me down furniture and some stuff I bought new over thirty years ago. All very good quality. Obviously not the latest trendy things, but it suits me fine. I am in the process of downsizing. Having less feels good.
I love your posts. Each and everyone of them speaks directly to me and the life I want to move towards. Wish I had discovered minimalism years ago. Thank you!
My home furnishings are pieced together from second hand shops and garage sales. The only new pieces of furniture are the matresses….
My couch is a day bed that is older than I am. My 2 ocassional chairs I bought at a garage sale and recovered. My coffee table and 2 end tables are adorable steamer trunks that I found at second hand stores and sales. My dining table and chairs I bought at an estate sale in amazing condition. My bed frame and all the bookshelves in the house are made by us from rough lumber found in an old garage. The area rugs are new.
I have owned my current home for 11 years and finally feel the house is starting to reflect my vision of cozy….all on a tiny budget!
It can be done, even in the modern world…
As I was reading through the comments – I wondered why no one had mentioned the value of second-hand furniture. Even today (2020) one can find good solid furniture in Thrift stores and on-line markets or hand-me-downs from family. Personally, it gives me such a great feeling of accomplishment when I am able to refinish a piece of furniture for my home that is WOOD and not panel-something. We used concrete blocks and lumber to “build” bookshelves and TV stands in our earlier years. I have a weakness. It’s the comparison thing. When I invite someone new to my home, I look around and mentally compare my “things” to others’ things. As I grow older, I am learning to not care. If that person is not able to accept me as I am, then do I need to have that person in my life? Another point of simplifying- getting rid of people who are not true friends.
My father is 83 , my mother is 80 . They have no internet , no mobile (cell) phone bills ( they have a mobile , which is a pay as you go , and is used only for an emergency ). All bills are paid at the post office . A food shop is done once a week in his 15 year old Toyota , which is spotless and well looked after , The house is tidy and nicely decorated , the garden is the only issue as it is big and they sruggle to maintain it . My father in particular , never wants anything , he replaces stuff when it wears out or goes wrong ( if he cant repair it ) . He is happy and content, and so is my mother . It is a generation thing I think , eveything now is to easy to access , a simple click and you are £££s or $$$ in debt or Facebook is letting you know that your best friend is jetting off on a 3 week holiday in country you cant pronounce ! and will never be able to afford . I personally feel we could learn a lot from the wartime generation .
My husband and I are 70 this year. We have a family settee. His grandmother bought it. His parents inherited it. Then it came to us, then his sister, then his niece, now back to us. It has been rebuilt and the cushions need to be recovered again. But we all love this settee and many a person has spent many a night sleeping on it so we expect to keep on fixing it forever.
Such a lovely story about your grandparent’s life and home! Since decluttering half of our stuff in 2013-2014, I’ve thankfully lost the urge to continue filling our home with more stuff. I can enjoy beautiful things in a store without the desire to own them. And when I do actually need something, I wait until I find exactly what I’m looking for. In the interim, I make do and do without. It is serving me well. And I have you to thank for these changes! It was your writing that encouraged me to declutter our home, and kept me inspired through the sometimes tiring process! Thank you.
My family is in the process of moving from California to Nevada. Even though we had a clutter free home, we were still able to sell and donate a lot. Felt good. So, your post is timely as we will so be faced with a new home to settle into!
I love this idea but find it hard to implement in my own life, for the sheer reason that I am part of a military family. Each move brings different houses, which means the couch that fit in living room for the past three years is now two big for the next three years. Those curtain rods, well they worked two houses ago but this house has ones that have to be hung on clips. It’s important, for me to make our house feel like a home a quickly as possible for my children and husband. I’ve been trying to focus on yard sales, resale websites, thrift shops. We are overseas this time so at least
I won’t hear the sirens call of Target.
Wonderful article, thank you!!!
I have found that slow acquisition leaves lots of empty space and that means easier cleaning! Less furniture to move when vacuuming and fewer surfaces to dust. I can clean a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in 3 hours. I hustle for those 3 hours, but then I’m done for the week.
It also makes me consider if I really need another item & if I’m willing to clean and maintain the item. Thanks Joshua for your thoughtful posts.
My husband and I have taken this approach for the 31 years we’ve been married. We are debt free because of this. Some may view us as procrastinators for being so. Over these decades our home has been furnished mostly with hand me downs from family, some who have passed on. Making these pieces cherished.
We’ve also applied this philosophy to our home which we’ve owned for 30 years. We’ve had to replace flooring and paint, a roof and various repairs over the years, never “upgrading” or remodeling. Raised our kids here, now empty nesters. We’ve kept it very clean, well cared for, loved. Our home is extremely well small 1400sf (by today’s standard). Many down size to this. Our philosophy is;
If it’s not broken why ‘fix’ it?
When we first married our home was full of handmedowns and second hand items. I clearly remember buying a new cot for me daughter and feeling very extravagant! That was the only new item of furniture for a very long time. When we moved to our current home we were in a good position and able to buy some new items. But the items that give me most pleasure are ‘heirlooms’ in that we inherited them from my late in laws and my grandmother. A beautiful wooden dining room set with matching cupboards and a display cabinet with a drinks section. The piece from my grandmother is a kitchen unit with s drop leaf, spaces to store bread and cooking ingredients, plates, glasses etcetc. Every time I see them I am reminded of the love with which they were originally bought, I know they were saved for and bought with pride. We have the pleasure of looking after them for a few more years now.
We just got our first home, our only debt. I have this major urge to buy a new sofa and bedside tables and a dresser etc. We’ve had hand me downs always and theyre less than desire able, yet functional. I have had the same observations of my grandparents home (born in 1919) and have always remembered and longed for a warm but minimalistic home. Ive been drawn to mjdcentury modern, I believe, because of this. And my new home was made in the 50s! And has the deal of a real farm home without the more modern “farm home” style. And I fight the urge to spend and make “homey” in ordsr to live in the space and learn what we need. And save to buy quality that I enjoy, for a long while hopefully, instead of settle for less than I like to fill a space. So our home is bare and full of functional as we wait. I’m a purger and dont keep but this urge to fill with new is idly strong for me.
Sorry for misspellings. I obviously failed to spell check my phone before submitting.
When I got my first job out of college, I had a few hand-me-down items like a dining room table with chairs, a desk, a sofa and loveseat set, and a coffee table. However, I went on a bit of a furniture “bender” and bought a bedroom set, a tv with stand, and a bookcase. All to “complete” an apartment. In hindsight, I regret virtually all of it, except the bed of course. I had too many clothes, too many books, and too many kitchen items. I didn’t need a sofa AND a loveseat. I rarely watch TV and have both a phone and laptop that are sufficient. In terms of furniture I would have been fine with just a bed, desk/table, the sofa, and maybe a small dresser/chest of drawers. Even then, I could have done with less. Most of that furniture I don’t have anymore. It was just dead weight that plagued my early 20s.
What a great article! Hopefully the pendulum is swinging back to
Less is more, after speaking to some of the younger crowds, most of them don’t want bogged down with material things.
I completely agree with the idea of slow, thoughtful acquisition. But in the 80s, I got carried away trying to be normal (keeping up with the Joneses, trying not to have the child who was pitied for lack of fine furnishings, trying to fit in with the excitement of others on shopping trips). Ugh, it wasn’t a satisfying time in my life, and I came to my senses. I am much happier now, more fulfilled, and I’m definitely not keeping up with the Joneses. Interesting post, thanks.
I would add to never be in a hurry to spend money you have too.
As our parents are aging, I often wonder what we are going to do with their “stuff”. There are some items with sentimental value for us, but most of the items in their garage are more sentimental for them then us. We will be left sorting through the memories deciding what to donate versus keep; instead of them doing it for us.
I always have thought that for my own child this will not be an issue. We will not accumulate a house full of memories that he will have to sort through when we die. We will purposefully give him what we value if he wants it. If not, we will donate it. That way all of us enjoy the giving and receiving when we are alive.
My parents married a week before the Stock Market Crash of 1929. I was a surprise later in life baby. The thing I always remember from my mother especially was the joy she felt when she would make a purchase of something we really needed that she and my dad saved diligently for. You could just see the pride. I always remember how I felt watching them. It sure has helped me make better decisions in my life. We weren’t rich, our furniture belonged to my grandparents originally and some pieces are still going strong today.
This post really resonates with me.
When my wife and I first got married, we lived in a tiny apartment lightly furnished with hand-me-downs and items purchased at garage sales. We did not get our first house until we’d been married five years. It was a modest place, but we loved it. Also, I can still remember the first new piece of furniture we purchased – we had been married ten years at that point.
My wife comes from a large family and we have lots of nieces and nephews. As you allude to in this post, it is concerning to see young people getting out of school and rushing to buy big homes (no apartments or “starter” homes for them) and filling them with expensive store-bought furnishings.
My wife’s brothers and sisters all had modest starts like us, and so I’m perplexed as to where so many of my nieces and nephews developed such acquisitive tendencies. More concerning to me is that I suspect they’ve taken on significant debt purchasing these large houses and stocking them with brand new furniture, appliance, and (of course) all the latest gadgets.
This is how we started out 49+ years ago. We were 20 and 21 1/2 husband just got out of Marines (Vietnam). We bought an antique bedroom set (which we still use) for $100. That’s all we had for 2 weeks, went to an auction bought a couch, chair, table and chairs. We still have mostly antiques some painted, some refinished, upholstered. It’s sturdy and better quality then what you can buy nowadays. Grandkids are telling us which pieces they want eventually. This is a very good article for young people starting out.
When I got married 20 years ago our apartment was furnished completely with hand-me-downs except for the bed. We call our place the Hodge Podge Lodge, (anyone else remember that show?) Over time we have had to replace some of the pieces as they moved beyond repair. (We had a very old table collapse the day after hosting Thanksgiving, a close call indeed!) The best part is being able to take our time to save up for and choose the best quality pieces we can afford and to make sure they are what we really want and truly need. We try to pay in cash so we can be sure to stay in our budget and not carry unnecessary debt.
On the other hand, change is good. For me, at least. I don’t like the idea of permanency and predictability in home decor… I get bored with it. That doesn’t mean I have to stuff my house to the gills with every new trendy item I see. I can go to an estate sale and buy a beautiful inexpensive item to perk up my home. I feel good about that item being reused or repurposed and not ending up in the landfill. And with every “new” item that comes IN the house, 2 or more old items go OUT! I am not purchasing very many items at all these days because “Becoming Minimalist” has changed my way of thinking, but I do enjoy an occasional change in decor. And that change can be accomplished with an inexpensive high quality item purchased from an Estate sale.
I, too, just downsized from a large new house to a tiny 1930 bungalow. So happy that estate sales are the norm here, I love reforming someone else’s furnishings from previous times…slow and inexpensive, and I think they enjoy being in their new space with a younger families with kids. Agreed that today’s consumption is out of control and that “trends” are being thrown at us so quickly, there’s barely a trend anymore , all I see are marketing frenzies.
Long story short: I borrowed extra student loan money in my late thirties-now 47. Have been on a snowball debt repayment plan for over two years. It’s going well. Still have 48 months, until I’m free from ALL debt. Not a fun time. Bottom line: all 3 of my kids know about NOT taking any loans. Cash flow everything. And the way that is possible is by thinking ahead–the subject of your article. Life takes time…it’s important to slow down, think ahead, make a financial plan. Talk about pain: being beholden to a bank…and owing them interest on top of the actual debt. Ouch!! Thank God that I finally learned proper money-handling, and am passing that on to my children. –Thank you for your inspiring articles, that encourage a life of true freedom.
Well said – and keep up the good work!
I grew up in a home you described. My parents grew up in the Depression, and I grew up in the ’50s. I learned a lot about thrift from them, and the stories they told about the Great Depression helped me to stay grounded. I still have furniture I bought in the ’70s and I treasure them. The little home I live in now, by myself, was built in 1952. It reminds me so much of my childhood that I sometimes feel my mother walking down the hall.
My husband and I mininmized our possessions considerably in moving to and fully renovating a much smaller, mid century home. We lived with bare walls and with our old furniture that didn’t fit the style of the space at all for quite awhile while we mindfully considered what pieces would make the most sense for us in this new place. It’s taken us about 18 months to find a couch, chairs, shelving and a rug that work for us. We’ll slowly fill in with tables, lamps and artwork for the walls as we find pieces that speak to us. My sister visited yesterday and texted the following to me last night, “Your house is really coming together. I know it was a long haul but the time and energy you put into it really shows. It is a very welcoming space.” Creating a home is a process, a mindful layering of new with old to that creates a place of comfort for all who enter. Thanks for sharing about your grandparents house and giving me the opportunity to process my related experiences. : )
Beautiful and insightful article once again. I have not hurried to furnish my house because I enjoy doing other things much more than shopping and decorating, However, I have felt rather ashamed and apologetic when people visit. Your article has articulated what my true beliefs actually are. I will continue to take my time to choose furniture – but I will no longer apologise. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this article. I’m a newlywed, and my spouse and I definitely struggle sometimes with being unable to keep up the with the Joneses. Through the generosity of my parents, we’ve received so much hand-me-down furniture, and we won’t be replacing it until we can buy things outright, not on layaway or with a payment plan. Being 30, I find myself somewhere between a millennial and generation Y, and articles like this are so helpful to keep me grounded in long-term happiness through delayed gratification.
Without the stress of having debts, just think of a happier worry free life you’ll have.
Yes! The closer I get to being totally debt-free, I catch myself dreaming about how I’ll be able to save and spend. It will be something special to be able to take my family out for a nice dinner, and not feel guilty—pay cash 💰 😄 Or travel farther from home…show my kids more of our world…all cash flowed. And be able to help folks in need–buy someone a nice coat…❤️
I read this article while sitting on a sofa that was a gift from a friend. It wasn’t new when I received it and we have owned it for almost 13 years. In spite of that, it has served its purpose.
The concept of delayed gratification is lost on many people. Working for, planning for and waiting for something make the eventual acquistion all that sweeter and memorable. You also value things more that you have to wait for and save for. Reflect on those things that you worked hard for and I think you’ll agree that they mean more to you than things that came easily. Teach your kids about delayed gratification – it’s one of life’s most important lessons (Thanks Mom!)
I enjoyed your thoughtful description of your grandparents home. I wonder if they had a chance to hear of your minimalist adventure.
My husband and I have learned the satisfaction of filling the home slowly and appreciate the hand me down quality furniture from family.
From your book and posts, we learn that we can continue to do more in how we look at what we choose to allow to be part of our home. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment Jen. Yes, indeed, my grandparents know well of my adventure and writing. My grandfather has been as big a supporter and encourager of my work as anyone else—and many of the themes I write concerning money, possessions, work, and generosity I have learned from him. Lessons I have learned both from watching him, listening to him, and asking questions.
I work in a home decor store. I rarely buy anything from them because I just don’t need anything nor do I have the space but it does get difficult at times to resist the lure of purchasing!
A few times a year employees get 40% off (rather than the normal 25%) and I find myself calculating the savings I would get for things I like.
I have to keep reminding myself that they are just trying to get my money and how I’ll save 100% by not buying anything.
Lisa: I am tempted when going to Hobby Lobby or Michaels so I rarely go anymore. I have been downsizing for sometime as we are moving into a two bedroom one story patio home soon as one becomes empty, then selling the house. I have given some large 30 gal tote containers away recently that others have given me and cleaned out the garage. Don’t need that many storage containers now.
It’s always important for me to remember as well that it’s 100% off If I don’t buy a thing!
As I clear my grandmother’s house and choose what to keep and what to discard, this is what makes it hard. I love the 1930s furniture style and quality, so that’s easy, and much other stuff is truly worn out (Granny was 100) so that, too, is easy. But the post-1960s stuff is harder, too good to be scrapped but not smart enough for today’s folk to want it! They would rather go into debt than take well-worn but solidly crafted articles. Things have certainly changed.
However, no amount of minimalism will make me get rid of very old photographs or the belt of her wedding dress (tiny!) or handicrafts (sewn, knitted, embroidered, pottery, basketry) that she made herself – or her hand-cranked sewing machine she used until she was 95. Those will all be used or displayed! We have a female history of craft in our family, my daughter is a trained couturière and these things are simply too precious!
I’m just preparing a post for my own blog on how stupid I was when I moved recently and bought all this extra garbage and crap I didn’t need. I’ve repented now, but the fast acquisition of all this unneeded stuff was a horrible wake up call. Love this article.