Journey To Less
July 1st, 2008 | By KendraLike my sister said, we are both on our journey to having less. As I’ve been reading and learning, I’m coming to realize how wasteful and overindulging our society is! We simply have so much STUFF! And it’s like we aren’t happy; we just have to keep getting more. In poorer countries some people only have two pairs of clothing, and maybe one or two bowls to eat from. And here we are, closets overflowing, cabinets toppling over with an overabundance of unnecessary items that we think we just have to have. And before long we get tired of the “old” things (though they are perfectly functional), and head out to buy new again.
I recently read a quote from a top fashion designer which has really made me re-evaluate my own role as consumer. He said,
“It is my job to make women unhappy with what they have.”
You know, that’s exactly it! Marketers are scheming, devising every plan imaginable to make us feel like what we have is inadequate, so that we go out and buy whatever they are pedaling, filling their greedy pockets. And we have been such suckers! And it’s not just the fashion industry, this goes for our vehicles, homes, appliances, home decor, and everything purchasable. How much longer will we fall for their devices, and allow them to manipulate us into feeling unhappy with what God has blessed us with? How often are we perfectly content with what we have, and then we are ambushed with a new fad or design that we just have to have and suddenly what we already posses is not good enough?
I have to admit, I am such a sucker for this! Especially watching HGTV, and home design shows where they go and remodel, or redecorate these homes and make them just gorgeous. Though the day before I was perfectly proud of the way my home looked, suddenly I’m feeling very unstylish, and like I need to go out and buy a bunch of stuff to redecorate with. What’s up with that? I know what it is, and the Lord Jesus warned us about it, it’s being covetous. I’m reminded of this verse:
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15
And so, I’ve decided to go through my home and get rid of all of the things that I don’t absolutely need. Boy, is it going to be hard! I’ve started going through my closet, and the kid’s closets, and getting rid of most of the things in there (that will be a whole other post). Next I plan on going through the cabinets and doing a thorough cleaning! Who needs 10 plates and 15 glasses for a family of 4? I know I don’t, and I’m tired of feeling like do. After the cabinets and kitchen drawers have been paired down, I’ll tackle the toys (yes again!), knick knacks (though I don’t really have that many to start with), books, toiletries, and garage items. It will take a while since most of my stuff is in storage (we’re in the process of moving). But these are my goals.
I’m also reconsidering some appliances that I’ve had on my wish list, including a bread machine. Do I really need one… I know I can do it by hand? What can I live without?
Maybe I can challenge you today to think more about your role as a brainwashed consumer, and to pray about being more content with what you have, and maybe even striving towards less. And as I journey on my road to less, I’ll be sure to share my thoughts and efforts!
Tags : being a minimalist, being less of a consumer, living with less
Says:
I recently have come to the conclusion that we also have too much stuff. It is difficult not to buy more sometimes too. I am hoping sometime over the next two weeks to get through much of our spare bedroom/office/craft room and get it down to less. Then maybe I will be motivated to continue with more of the house. The hard part is keeping from buying more!
July 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pmSays:
We have had to think through everything we purchase since my husband became ill and had to go on Disability.
One place we “downsized” a lot was our closet. We finally got rid of all those clothes we thought we might wear someday.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:18 pmSays:
I’ve been trying to pare down our stuff this summer too. A friend and I are having a garage sale in August, so I have a goal date to shoot for.
I agree with you how marketers try to make us unhappy! My husband and I used to go to a Parade of Homes in our area every fall until I realized how discontented it made me feel. Now we stay home and I’m much happier!
Thanks for the great post!
Mindy
July 1st, 2008 at 8:29 pmSays:
Just wanted to say…me too! We pared down a LOT when we moved into this house. We really struggled too, because my in-laws were ALWAYS giving us STUFF…stuff we didn’t want or need. So we ended up giving it away or Freecycling it.
You know what else I did? I finally got rid of the things that made me feel bad, but that I felt I *had* to hang on to. The big one that comes to mind…was a signed photograph of a place I did a fancy Internship at. Everytime I saw it, I felt like a failure, because I didn’t go further in that professional direction. I finally threw it away…and I can’t tell you what a LOAD that was off my back. Things can drain your energy and effect your moods too.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:14 pmSays:
Hello-I’ve been a lurker for a while, and have enjoyed reading. I just had to comment and say that 10 plates doesn’t seems excessive to me–what would you do for company if you only had 4? My sister and I are into “small” living. We are forever getting rid of stuff. I only ‘purge’ about two or three times a year though–and it’s time!!
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:41 amSays:
Love this post! I was trying to explain to my daughter the other day that No, her kids really didn’t need 5 pairs of shoes each…that I made do with 2 when I was little, one pair of good, one for everyday…she claimed I was born in the 1800s!
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 amSays:
We have started this around our home. I realize how much “stuff” we have and we have no need for “stuff”. So we are purging like mad. It’s great. We are donating our “stuff”, which will help someone else and getting rid of the clutter. It’s not hard now that I have disconnected from the emotional tie to these items. There is no sentimental tie to them (why do I need it?) because it serves no purpose in my home and/or has no emotional thought for me (my children’s pictures do, my flowers from my very small wedding do, a picture my 3 year old drew just for me and then gave to me does. Clothes, shoes, books that I have read in ages, what-nots on a shelf and such just don’t. Bye bye!).
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:52 am