Less Stuff = Less Work?

Many of us have spent a great deal (too much?) time at home over the last several years. I, like you, have spent a lot more time staring at our stuff. When I start walking around muttering about clutter, my family gets very nervous. They now know to proclaim what is and isn't up for the giveaway box. I've even graciously (wink) created a time out zone for things I think should be given away, but a family member might want to rescue. I put them in a big bin in our carport and wait. I give it a few weeks and then if no one has rescued the contents, I feel free to release it.

So what does that have to do with work? Well, in addition to spending more time at home and more time with the people we love, we're hearing a great deal about working conditions, The Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, Quiet Hiring, Rage Applying, etc. I wonder, having spent quite a bit of time in a sabbatical period myself this year, is our stuff making us work more?

It's true that stuff takes up real estate and real estate is certainly the most expensive thing most of us will ever purchase. Most of us are working to pay for basic living expenses. Plus, think about all the time we spend planning to purchase, purchasing the items, bringing the items home, or waiting on the delivery person, then the box break down and storage. Then, we must find a place for it to live and on and on we move it around until we die or get rid of it or more likely send it on its way to a landfill. Sigh.

Certainly, this is not a new idea, and I acknowledge, a privileged problem to have, but if we stopped acquiring the stuff, would working be such a critical part of our life? Not to mention, less stuff is definitely better for our fellow citizens and the planet. I feel as though I've found much more time in my schedule, and life, to do the things I prefer to do without as much stuff weighing me down - literally and spiritually. Perhaps this is the antithesis of the organization industry after all. Find a home and a container for all your things or better yet, quit buying it in the first place. I think about Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, saying: "Store it at the store!"

I especially felt this throughout the past holiday season. Maybe it's just that my kids are getting older and there are fewer gadgets and toys. Wait, fewer, cheaper gadgets, but not fewer expensive and tiny gadgets! I noticed we had less in general. I had more space and time, because I gave myself permission to do less, be less and just generally make sure our gifts to family and friends were consumables, needs or aforementioned nano gadgets. It felt perhaps less exciting than years prior, but definitely calmer. There was also less organizing after the fact. I still have a pile of giveaways and things to get rid of, but that's because we do that generally at the turn of the season anyway.

I'm not fully minimalist yet, but getting there.

Further reading and links:

The Minimal Mom: The Silent To-Do List

Happier with Gretchen Rubin