20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff

In this article, we are going to give you all the reasons why you must consider owning less stuff.

We could buy one thing today, and tomorrow we’ll crave another. It’s a vicious loop, and sadly there is no end to desires. Thanks to our perpetual desires and growing consumerism, we don’t settle for less.

We want more and more, until there remains no space in our homes, to move freely. Growing up, we had a barn that was so full of things you could barely walk through it, let alone find anything you needed.

That is just one of the reasons why minimalism has been the principle that everyone is embracing; it focuses on owning less stuff doing you innumerable benefits. I personally have been going through our home with a fine-tooth comb to pick out things I haven’t used in a year, or ever, and reducing the clutter.

It feels lighter, and the energy has shifted. Maybe it’s the summertime air, but I know I don’t want to waste time trying to keep up with anyone else anymore. Thus, I’m buying less and less and keeping even less in my home.

What is a minimalist person?

So, imagine this: you walk into someone’s home and it’s like stepping into a zen paradise. Not a single unnecessary item in sight, just clean lines, open spaces, and a sense of calm.

That, my friend, is the magic of minimalist living.

A minimalist person is all about simple living, and focusing on what truly matters. They spend less money on stuff they don’t really need, which not only saves their hard-earned cash but also reduces their stress levels. They’re all about living in the present and enjoying every moment instead of wasting time on materialistic pursuits.

Minimalists focus on quality over quantity. It’s their mantra, so they choose higher quality items instead of hoarding a bunch of cheap junk.

By decluttering their physical space, it’s easier to find what they need and they feel overwhelmed much less. Plus, having a smaller home means less time spent on cleaning and organizing, leaving more room for enjoying life and spending time with loved ones.

If you want to dive deeper into minimalist living, be sure to check out this post. Trust me, it’s definitely worth a read!

Reasons to own less stuff

It makes cleaning quicker and less hassling. When you own less, you will have fewer surfaces to dust. Moreover, you will have an open space for vacuuming; you would not have to move heavy objects.
You would not have to go through a million things to find what you are looking for.
More stuff makes your house look messy. When you have fewer things, it would give your home a spacious and clean look.
It’s a given, when your motto is to own less stuff, you would not shop spontaneously. Consequently, this would be healthy for your budget and would help you save more money.
It would help you focus on memories rather than material things.
Cleaning is a stressful affair, so much so that it can deteriorate your mental health. But when you would have less stuff to clean, you would not only stress less, but you would find plenty of time to spend on things you actually like to do.
You would admire quality over quantity. In other words, you’d become qualitative.
As Lord Buddha said, desires are the root cause of all unhappiness. And owning less can help you control your desires. As a result, you will be more satisfied and happy in life.
It would become easier for you to give your home a makeover from time to time when there is less stuff to move.
More demand means more production which ultimately leads to environmental pollution. So, when you are buying less stuff, you are indirectly saving the earth’s resources.
It would set a good example for your kids. They would learn from you, and that would eventually drive them away from materialist temptations.
There are a million things in your home that you don’t need. But there are others, who need them more than you. When you have decided to own less stuff, you can give the extra ones to those in need.
Fewer clothes = less laundry.
It would help you get ready for work quicker. When you have fewer clothes and fewer cosmetics, you would not spend hours looking for the perfect outfit for work. You will be quicker.
A spacious and mess-free ambiance can provide you with serenity.
You will become more productive when your focus is not on cleaning piles of clothes. Not to mention, you would be able to concentrate better in a clean and mess-free home.
Don’t have enough space at home to do your workouts? Well, if you own less stuff, you will get all the space you need for all your workouts, be it mountain climbers or an hour-long session of Zumba.
You will be able to make better investments when you have a significant amount of money saved from owning fewer things.
Have heavy furniture around? Well, consider selling it; decluttering will help you earn some extra money this way.
You become grateful. You stop comparing yourself to others when you are satisfied with the things you already own.
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Tips for creating a minimalist home

Here is a bulleted list of tips to get started on creating a minimalist home:

Start slow – focus on decluttering and simplifying one area at a time
Create a checklist of areas you want to declutter
Set a timeline for yourself, like one room a week
Get your family involved – make it a fun challenge or game
Decide whether to donate or sell items you no longer need/use
Consider asking friends or family if they want some of your items before donating or selling them
Sort items into categories and only keep the essentials
Create a designated space for each item you keep
Minimize surface clutter such as mail and knick-knacks
Consider a capsule wardrobe to simplify your closet
Invest in multi-functional furniture to save space and reduce clutter
Limit purchasing new items and opt for experiences instead

Maybe put that on your vision or life board and see how it feels for you. It could be the thing that sets you free.

Well, that’s all we have to say. I hope these reasons helped you change your mind and own less. After all, as they say, less is more.

And another piece to think about – I eventually want to split my time between our current home, and another home somewhere tropical. If I have all this stuff here, then how will I know I can live without it when I’m at the other location without having to pack everything?

Do you own less stuff too? How did it help you in life? Feel free to share your stories and experiences in the comments section.

20 Reasons to Own Less Stuff