I throw away EVERYTHING. My kids projects, paperwork, toys that are unused and/or broken, clothes that haven't been worn in a year. If I can't identify it or its been laying around so long no one claims it--- its out the door.
That sounds wasteful or cold-hearted, I know, but I guess I should have prefaced this by saying with a family of 5, my house is in disarray 60% of the time. I only go on these binge rampages after I've stepped on the same Lego so many times I have holes permanently embedded in my foot.
I'm by no means will-nilly with my clean sweeps. They are always purposeful . We get bombarded daily with so much stuff, its sometimes hard to determine what's really important. The unfortunate part of this is within a few months...ok weeks....sometimes days...the STUFF MONSTER has grown and I have to repeat the process all over again.
It's not the things in our life that give it meaning. It's the people, experiences, and memories that should fill us up. Aside from that fact that our constant consumption across the globe has threatened the balance of the planet, as people, we are so distracted by what we HAVE instead on focusing on who we ARE.
Though tangible items can be invaluable, the endless cycle of spending, consuming, and dumping, only to do it all over again can be dangerous.
No change happens over night, but hopefully with these few tips we can begin to remove ourselves from our addiction to stuff.
1. Be Aware. Do we really need those fabulous shoes in ALL 3 colors? Are those 2 new appliances really necessary when we can buy 1 one that does ten different things? Being conscious of our purchases is the first step in curbing consumption. Just because the airbrushed model in the ad or the super successful guy in the commercial tells us we NEED something to make us a better person doesn't mean it's true! Pay attention to how your spending is influenced by others and only make purchases that will add real value to your life.
2. Keep Things Longer. This may sound counterproductive, but every time you upgrade to the new gizmo or gadget, precious natural resources are being wasted. When you are ready to get rid of or buy a new item try using sites like Craigslist or Freecycle to avoid adding more "garbage" to our landfills.
3. Don't Buy Crap. This one seems pretty obvious. But what I really mean is... buy quality NOT quantity. We once lived in a time where things like furniture, appliances, and cars lasted long enough to pass them down to our children. Today EVERYTHING is disposable. Do your research and only make purchases from companies you know have well-made products that will last.
4. Give. It really is better to give than to receive. There is nothing more humbling than getting a "Thank You" for something you view as insignificant, but another sees as a gift. See what you can learn from those people who have so little, but still feel blessed.
5. Find Your Happy. Get clear on what's really important to you. Stuff is only a temporary fix to unhappy feelings. You can get a high from making that new purchase, but it is usually short-lived, and followed by regret. Take a walk, stare up the clouds, or meditate. Clearing your head can help you focus on other activities that bring you joy besides shopping.
6. Surround Yourself With Like-minded People. If the only way your circle of friends has a good time is by going to expensive restaurants, buying expensive shoes, or running out to get the biggest, baddest TV/gaming system/lawnmower etc. then maybe they've got their priorities backward. Choose to spend your time with people who value your company. Those relationships will be more meaningful than superficial ones based around money.
7. Value Yourself. All the stuff in the world could never amount to the person you truly are. Know that just being you is enough, and don't let yourself be defined by what you have.
What are your tips for ending our addiction to stuff?
Only Saving What's Important in Granolaville,
