How To Live With Less Stuff

Most of us are surrounded by stuff. The problem is so rampant that there are numerous self-help books and even TV shows to show us how to organize all of it. But it is possible, even fulfilling, to let go of the mass-consumption mentality and make the change to a simpler lifestyle.

Here are some steps you can take toward a life with less stuff:

1. Need vs. want

Before you make a purchase, ask yourself if you really need that item, or if you just want it. How would your life be better long-term if you bought that item? Would it benefit anyone else, or just you? Can you afford it, or will you have to pay it off gradually?

2. Pay cash for everything

One way to curtail excessive spending is to commit to paying for everything up front – no loans, no credit cards, no “making payments” unless it’s an unavoidable emergency.

3. Donate

There are many people who would love some of the items you have stored away. Ask your local charities or churches if there are any families in need, or donate to your local GoodWill, Salvation Army, etc.

4. Keep things in perspective

It’s easy to get clingy with our things, but keeping our priorities straight and looking at the big picture can go a long way in helping you make the change. (Will it matter in 100 years if you have that DVD right now? Will it make you a better person to have that outfit or gadget?) Remember how pointless it is to keep an item from someone who really needs it when you hardly ever use it. Think about how happy that item will make someone else.

5. Find what makes you truly happy

Accumulating more stuff will not, ultimately, make you happier. It will make your life more complicated. Happiness needs to come from within, and if you can find out what makes your spirit content and peaceful, you will feel less of an inner void and won’t be tempted to fill that void with material things.

6. Entertain yourself

You don’t need to look to media, games, etc. to be entertained. Find out how to pass your “down time” creatively, and exercise your mind’s “muscle.” When you step away from mass media, you will find previously unknown resources within yourself.

7. Focus on others

Fulfillment can be found in interpersonal relationships, which have no price tag attached. Objects can not satisfy that need for interaction and intimacy. When we focus on other people, it’s a step toward breaking out of the “it’s all about me and what I want” mentality that gives rise to mass consumption.

8. Enjoy the added space

Relax and enjoy the simplicity of life with less stuff. You will probably find that you think more clearly and are less tense without all that stuff demanding your attention.

By consciously accumulating less stuff, we can leave room in our lives for the things that really matter.

PS: If you liked this post, you might also like The Simple Guide to a Minimalist Life by Leo Babauta. It’s all about eliminating the unnecessary in order to have a simpler, happier life.

photo credit: Randy Son Of Robert