Owning Less Stuff May Be A Relief

These days there are many ideas and tips about the benefits of owning less stuff. This is an idea I never heard when I was growing up, but the average person owned a lot less stuff back then.

There is no shortage of information on the benefits of decluttering and hints for going about the process. Just look online and in newspapers, magazines and books and you will see what I mean. There is also plenty of information about not buying unnecessary items in the future.

Complete books have been devoted to the topic of how people can benefit from owning fewer things.

The benefits of owning less include :

Buying an unnecessary item
I have done plenty of decluttering myself and now try to avoid accumulating stuff I don't need. Sometimes I still find it difficult to overcome the urge to impulse buy, especially when something is a bargain.

Non-essential purchasing doesn't always lead to regret. There have been occasions when I have bought an item I could have managed without but have later been so pleased with my decision. I recently bought a good quality long sleeved top during the end of winter sales. I am really happy with that purchase and enjoy wearing it.

Books about decluttering and owning less
Some people have become well known from their ideas on decluttering and maintaining a lifestyle of consciously owning less stuff. Ever heard of Marie Kondo? She wrote The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and three other books about tidying and simplifying. Time magazine rated her as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

In her book, Soulful Simplicity:How living with less can lead to so much more Courtney Carver says she limits her wardrobe to 33 items. This includes clothes, shoes, jewellery and accessories but not underwear or gym wear. Read more

Lindsay Miles agrees that owning fewer possessions makes her happier. In her book, Less Stuff Simple zero-waste steps to a joyful and clutter free life she talks about personal choice and says that each person will have a different idea of what is 'enough' for them. Lindsay is very conscious of the impact consumerism has on the environment. Her suggestions are presented in organised steps to make the decluttering process easier. She admits that getting rid of clutter is something which did not come naturally to her.

Many find getting rid of the clutter from their homes is a relief and improves their quality of life. However, I do believe a person has to want to make this change and has to be ready to do so. If someone had tried to coerce me into parting with boxes of beloved books and culling my wardrobe before I actually wanted to do so, I would have been annoyed and upset. I would not have benefitted from any decluttering I might have been talked into.

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#_Stuff

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