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A Fit Mom's Life

Fitness, Health & Well-being

Personal Development

Why It’s Better to Own Less Stuff

April 20, 2016

We live in a materialistic world.  But here are a few reasons why it’s really better to own less stuff.

Back in January we started the process of purging our home and got rid of half of our stuff.  When we decided to simplify our lives we had one goal in mind: A lifestyle that allows us to focus on making memories and not on material possessions.  You see when you have a lot of stuff, your mind gets overwhelmed with all the things you have, and it’s not free to focus on what’s really important in life: family, friends, memories.

I’ve learned a lot about myself through this process, and why owning less stuff is way better than having a lot of material possessions.

 

It’s better to own less stuff because it makes you appreciate what you do have.  The process of going through and getting rid of things really made me appreciate what I kept.  I only kept things that bring me real joy in life, which honestly isn’t a lot since memories and time spent with family brings me the most joy.

One issue we’d run into with Little A was we felt like she didn’t appreciate what she had.  She was always wanting something new.  And she had a ton of toys!  It was super frustrating for us that she wasn’t playing with a lot of what she had, so we got rid of it.  In reality she didn’t have near the amount of toys that a lot of kids do, but for her we still felt like it was too much.  Downsizing her toys has not only helped her appreciate what she has, but she can actually see all her toys now, haha!

When you make the decision to own less stuff you also make the decision to buy less.  With that comes savings.  You save so much money!  I don’t know about your family, but my hubby’s goal is to retire by 55.  That means saving, saving, saving! And don’t get me wrong, this isn’t easy for me.  I love to shop.  I used to shop and buy things on a weekly basis (usually things for the home or clothes).  Buying things just brings me joy.  But now a days I 1) don’t have the time and 2) realize that saving instead of buying new things all the time is better for my future.

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You’re teaching your kids a good life lesson when you own less stuff.  Happiness doesn’t come from having a bunch of possessions.  It comes from memories, time spent with family, activities and adventures. We want our kids to look back on their childhood and remember the things we did, not all the Barbies and Legos they had.

You save time.  You won’t be spending all your time organizing and tidying up.  For me, that’s huge.  My time is limited (it is for so many of us) and spending time organizing things I rarely, if ever, use is not how I want to be spending it.  The less stuff we have the less time we spend cleaning and dusting all of those things.  

Owning less stuff is so freeing!  K and I say this all the time still: our house feels so much lighter since doing our big purge.  It’s like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders.  Our home was never messy by any means, it was just full of stuff.  Less stuff equals a light, airy and happy home.  

I don’t know about you, but the fewer possessions that I have, the more full I feel.  Does that make any sense?  To me it does.  My heart and mind are now free to be filled with memories, personal development and things that will matter to me most 30 years from now.   

How about you?  Do you think owning less stuff is better?

by Tiffany 

About Tiffany

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previous article: 6 Ways To Get Moving Every Day
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Comments

  1. Biana says: April 20, 2016 at 5:45 am

    I would say my husband agrees with your mentality haha!! I have definitely tried to get rid of unnecessary stuff and to your point you end up spending money on experiences rather than things!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  2. Paige Allison (@anuncomplife) says: April 20, 2016 at 10:22 am

    THIS POST IS WHY I LOVE YOU! I can’t get over how much people buy. It really boggles my mind, because frankly, we do quite well for ourselves and WE can’t afford what I see people buying, so I just wonder where they get their money from? Or how much of it they’re financing (so dumb)? And as bloggers, it seems like everything is a shopping guide! Just today I’ve seen 10 (yes, TEN) Mother’s Day gift guides and I’m so over it. Honestly, I want and need nothing for Mother’s day outside a good nap and some kisses from my babies. But I’ve never been a shopper or a “material” person. I just don’t understand the appeal.

  3. Katie @ Cup of Tea Blog says: April 20, 2016 at 11:37 am

    Agree with your point about being less focused on material items and instead wanting memories! I’m always in the mood to purge, and toys are one area that just DRIVES me crazy! I’m all about toys/activities now that, once used, is tossed (like coloring books or stickers).

  4. Julie S. says: April 20, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    The task of simplifying is daunting, but once complete, I definitely agree it can be freeing. I need to motivate myself to get rid of stuff too, not just hide it in closets and rooms heh.

  5. Emily says: April 21, 2016 at 5:10 am

    Yes, happiness doesn’t come from possessions! And the clutter and extra stuff takes time to manage and organize and clean. I see sooo many reasons to have less stuff, but often cannot find the motivation to do a big purge of our home. I am cheap and don’t want to throw away something I would potentially need later. But really, I probably won’t use it so I should get rid of more things.

    • Tiffany says: April 21, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      I felt that way for a long time too. But after moving things (3 times in 2 years) I hadn’t used in 5+ years, it was easy to donate them. I wasn’t getting any use out of them; might as well give them to someone who will.

  6. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says: April 21, 2016 at 5:29 am

    Wonderful post and such great reasons to minimize the possessions we have. I’ve been meaning to get around to this myself but I’m just not sure where to start. I did a bit of cleaning and purging back in January as well but got sidetracked.

    I have to start up again. I find it hardest to do this when others are NOT on board. Like the hubby who has loads of collectibles and the kids who treasure everything… including the paper that they found while out on a walk last week. lol

    Thanks for sharing!

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

  7. Chelsea @Life With My Littles says: April 21, 2016 at 6:40 am

    I love this! As we get closer to moving, sometimes I just want to get rid of everything and start over!! We have been getting rid of a lot, and I plan on getting rid of more things before and probably after we move!

  8. Amanda says: April 21, 2016 at 7:41 am

    It is definitely better to have less stuff! I just have to get my kids on board with that too. My oldest is starting to come around. She suggested we yard sale some toys the kids don’t play with as much :). Of course, she wants to use the money for a new toy.

  9. Amanda Elizabeth says: April 21, 2016 at 7:49 am

    I am 100% behind this…..just need to get my husband on board with it!

  10. Carrie says: April 21, 2016 at 9:21 am

    Yes, I’m always trying to find things to donate. It’s challenging when your kids like to save everything, but slowly we’re simplifying and trying to bring less in as well. Better for the planet too! (=
    Carrie

  11. Carly says: April 21, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    I am definitely the better one in our house of wanting to get rid of stuff- sometimes it feels so good to just throw away something– you really do feel lighter. Less really is more 🙂

  12. Candace says: April 21, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    I completely agree about owning less stuff being more freeing, Tiffany. Unfortunately I have some serious hoarding issues and have not been a great example to my children. I’m trying to work on this. So far I wouldn’t qualify for that show about hoarding ;), but I definitely have far too many possessions weighing our home down. Thanks for these reminders about the importance of letting all that extra stuff go!

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