Essays

Does decluttering ever stop? Like, when there is nothing left to let go? Or are 100 things the minimum someone  needs, or 50, 30, 10? The average American household has 300,000 items. Sounds like there is room to declutter for a while.

I feel strongly about extending the view on decluttering beyond just things. Undoubtedly, there is physical clutter. The things we brought into our lives, but don't use or love anymore. And there is digital clutter, mental clutter, spiritual clutter. Each has some control over your life. Time spent of rearranging, organizing, cleaning. Money wasted for buying, maintaining, replacing, discarding. These two are very tangible, quantifiable. But when we dig deeper into the others, we uncover the mental toll they take. Inability to focus on what's important for us as we are distracted. Lack of fun and positivity because we worry about the unchangeable past and the unpredictable future. Or a fundamental doubt what life is about.

We are trying to find sense in racing for more. This is what others want us to believe. More money, more clothes, a larger house, a newer car. When we have this one more thing, then we'll be happy. But then we have it, and there is still more to want. “The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” (Henry David Thoreau). And here we are in this vicious cycle of constantly trading our most precious and most fugitive asset - time. 

But how can we brake this cycle? The first step is to stop. Stop buying new things. Withstand the urge that you need this item you just saw, but didn't even know it existed a minute ago. You don't. Look at what you have. Do you use all of it? Does it add any value to you? If yes, fine, but if not, let it go. Create rooms that serve a purpose, and put things in the right place. Build an oasis without distractions somewhere. Invite silence and calm in your life, even if it appears unbearable in the beginning. We are so used to sensory overload from our TV and digital gadgets, that even 10 minutes of listening to your inner voice is a challenge. Master it.

The more room you gain, physically, digitally, mentally, the less desire you will have to fill back these spaces with what you had before.

Decluttering is a pursuit to focus on yourself, not in a selfish me-first-me-only way, but in light of what's good for me, making space to give back and engage more intensely with our community. The gain is the inner balance and strength to no longer depend on external influence and others' opinion. Your decisions are yours only, and you pick.

This is the journey you want to embark on. Start today.

Is consumerism naturally bad? Difficult question. In its very basic definition, consumerism describes market systems that encourage or promote consumption. And every person must consume goods in one way or another. Most of us have to buy goods to live (like groceries). You want clothes to be protected from the elements. A house or an apartment is desirable to have a safe home. Depending on where you live, a TV set, a computer, and a smartphone might be considered table stake items in a household. All this is part of consumption.

The challenge comes with the amounts and the frequency. Are three TV sets too much or just enough? Are two closets plus storage boxes of clothes too many? Is my smartphone really outdated when it is one year old? What about the gazillion of kitchen gadgets that would make any professional kitchen look cheap? Chances are that you fell for external triggers in advertisements, social media posts, or even a friend's recommendation

"We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like."

Let this sit for a moment and reflect on your last purchases. And then take a look around in your home. Maybe, there is this moment to stop buying more, and starting to declutter the stuff that lost, or never had, a value or purpose in your life, giving room and freedom for better things to do. And saving some money, too.

To buy or not to buy

"That is a really cool ... (fill the blanks)! I want to have this!"

Before you entered the shop, you didn't even know this piece existed, but in a moment it is yours. Trading money - cash or credit? - and you'll take it home. It's this thrill, the excitement of the new, the power to be able to possess it now. Wait, until you can show this to your spouse/best friend/neighbor/co-worker/boss (tick the box). Gosh, how they are going to admire you for it.

Or maybe not? Or you already forgot about it before you even got home, because you bought the other cool thing next. And you realize that this new thing does not really fit your kitchen. Or this shirt doesn't pair as well with your clothes as the sales person made you believe.

I bet you made this experience already, eventually multiple times. And then, did you do it again and again? Probably. But why?

Companies make us believe that without this really cool ... (fill the blanks) you are not complete, not worthy, you're on the wrong side. The whole consumer industry plays this tune - buy it and you will be better. Get this car and you can go up the mountains to have some great family time. This new gown magically transports you to the casino, where you will be the star and win the jackpot. And a breeze of the latest perfume makes you feel 20 years younger. And don't forget this new gadget, though it feels you just bought one last year ... wait, you did ... anyhow, you need the newest one.

We know that this is all not true, and still we fall for it. "We all eat lies when our hearts are hungry." In this increasingly complex world it is undoubtedly hard to identify the values you want to define as yours, that provide guidance on where you want to go, or to hold steady on things that are truly important to you.

If you no longer own the things, but the things own you, it is time to pause and rethink. What do I trade when I buy the stuff just because someone I don't even know tells me to? Beyond the money that you will now have to earn again (potentially in a job you hate), it is the mental burden of regret, the uncomforted feeling of living in a cluttered space, and the emptiness that remains.

To buy or not to buy - resist the urge. It's okay to say "This ... (fill the blanks) looks cool ... and I don't need it. Thank you." Even better, rather than spending time in a shopping mall, visit a museum, an exhibition, the local zoo or botanical garden, or just stroll in a park. You will find tons of new and interesting ... (fill the blanks) that you will enjoy without having to possess them.