Five Ways to Have Less and Enjoy More
When I asked about your definition of simplicity, many readers included the importance of having less, but enjoying more. When it comes to actually giving stuff up, though, it can be easier said than done. In that spirit, here are five ways you can make it easy to enjoy a life with less stuff.
Use what you do have. Go through your music collection and make a playlist of forgotten favorites. (I love doing this!) Pull a favorite book off the shelf and give it another read. Pull a passed-down antique out of the closet and give it a place of honor. Using and enjoying what you do have gives you a feeling of abundance that’s incredibly uplifting.
Keep a list of free and fun things to do. You could take a photographic walk, teach the dog a new trick, snuggle with a loved one, incite a family wrestling match, write bad rhyming poetry, take a nap, or dance to the radio. The more items you can dream up, the more fun you have at your fingertips.
Start seeing empty spaces as packed with freedom. Celebrate every empty shelf, bare wall, and exposed square foot of flooring as the ultimate victory. If freedom equals happiness (or at least a big component of it), then not having something just brings you closer to your personal nirvana.
Engage all five senses. Don’t just put on your shirt in the morning. Take a second to feel the weave, to take in the color, to smell the freshness (it is clean, isn’t it?). Okay, you don’t have to taste it, but you’re starting to get the idea. Same with your food. Don’t just eat it; savor the smells and sights of a delicious meal. By packing the mundane with meaning, we create a luxurious lifestyle out of nothing at all.
Make a list of the things you get in return when give things up. My list includes freedom, peacefulness, and room to think. Keep the list at the bottom of sock drawer and reference as needed. It’s a powerful reminder of exactly why I’m not filling my drawers with endless new things.
photo credit: apes_abroad
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This post has 31 comments
August 28th, 2008
I especially like the idea of using all of our senses, Sara.
While we are busy people living complicated lives, it’s so easy to rush things without actually paying attention.
I know, for example, that when I’m out for a walk in the countryside around me, I get so much more out of it when I take my time.
If I make a conscious decision to listen to the sounds, or notice the little things around me, the whole experience comes alive. It really is the small things in life that matter- if we just notice them in the first place
August 28th, 2008
This is a great list Sara.
Ditto to what you and Scott say about engaging all our five senses – even during the allergy season!
Use what you do have struck a chord. I also try and use my network of family, friends, and neighbors to share items I may need or they may need only occasionally. An example is a power washer I needed and borrowed from my neighbor. I needed and only used it once. I let him know how much I appreciated him letting me borrow it and let him know he could borrow other items I may have that he didn’t. What’s the sense in owning something you only use once or rarely use?
August 28th, 2008
Start seeing empty spaces as packed with freedom.
I love this one.
August 28th, 2008
How ironic that just last night I took a book off our bookshelf, that I’ve read before, and started re-reading it! And then I read your post this morning!
I look at many of the toys that have been purchase over the years for our kids – and many sit unused. The thing they use the most – a ball (football, basketball, kickball, tennis ball). The most used toys come from the bin of balls we have in our garage. We’ll take those balls, and just make up games to play. Fun, and simple!
I also really like your idea of engaging all five senses. Too often, I don’t even think about these things – and what a great way to really experience life!
August 28th, 2008
Mark didn’t understand what this post wanted to point out. We should slow down for a minute ( or two
). Stop all that struggle going all around us. Try to live calm and easy-peasy just for one day…
August 28th, 2008
It definitely is a feeling of freedom when I reorganize and get rid of stuff and I’m left an empty space or an empty bin. I do tend to just want to fill it, but I don’t normally fill it with something new, it just means I can rearrange what I have and I’m left with areas of my house that look much more inviting because they are less filled with stuff.
August 28th, 2008
Having a clean workspace and some free area around the house is more freeing than most people realize. When I was a kid, I had the most cluttered bedroom on the planet. It’s true! There were times when you couldn’t get from the door to the bed (about 5 feet) without treading over 2-3 layers of “stuff” that I just didn’t have another place for.
Now I’m older, and most of the clutter has moved on via Goodwill, smart re-gifting, or just plain old recycling. I can’t say my entire house is clutter-free, but most of the common spaces are. It’s so much more refreshing when family heirlooms don’t have to struggle to shine through distractions, or when you can actually see the TV from the couch.
Every empty shelf really is a victory!
August 28th, 2008
we’re just starting out. and we don’t have too much stuff. i love the idea of thinking of my bare walls and empty shelves as freedom- it takes the pressure to have one of those thoroughly decorated plushy homes off. i am going to have to bookmark this one as a constant reminder that that ISN’T necessarily what building homes is all about.
August 28th, 2008
I, too, am a fan of the idea of using all our senses – especially for food. I think Americans probably rush through their meals more than folks in other countries where they’re encouraged to take their time and savor the experience.
Great post!
August 28th, 2008
We go through our stuff every year and eliminate what we do not use. We usually sell it in a garage sale or donate it to charitable organizations. Why deal with the clutter?
I agree that empty space is freedom. We recently sold our hot tub because we didn’t use it enough and felt guilty about not maintaining it properly. In fact, I wrote a post about it called A Simple Life Is A Good Life – I Believe Less Is More. Enjoy!
August 28th, 2008
I organize my closet by putting clothes in one end of the rod (the most-recently-used end) and starting my daily clothing selection from the least-recently-used end. By keeping it up for six weeks or so, a few items move very quickly to the least-recently-used end of the closet, and it’s a quick and easy decision whether those clothes are being saved for winter, or just not being worn (because they’re too small, or my tastes have changed, whatever the reason).
It’s a vicious cycle, because I have a decent wardrobe that meets all of my needs very well (looking professional, feeling comfortable) and fits in 1/3 of my closet rod, with a milk crate for socks and another for underwear and shorts.
It’s been three years since I bought a piece of clothing retail, and this system is ideal for sifting through craigslist and goodwill clothing.
August 28th, 2008
I’m proud to say that I never had a problem with this one.
I really truly don’t like STUFF.
I can totally relate to what you say about the sense of freedom that comes from having more empty space.
August 28th, 2008
Great post. I stumbled it and saved it for reference and encouragement!
August 28th, 2008
My boyfriend moved in to my apartment last year when he got a job closer to my home than his. Now that we have moved into “our” new place, he and I are at odds over the “empty spaces as freedom” idea. I don’t like a lot of stuff just sitting around, and he – coming from a home where no flat surface is lacking some form of a knickknack or seven- thinks that a place will look empty without something in it (and the problem is? I wonder).
Great ideas!
August 28th, 2008
Some very good ideas Sara.
I like listening to old CDs that I haven’t played in a while. Have some good books on the shelf that would be fun to read again.
I’m slowly reducing the amount of stuff in the house and do find it more relaxing to have some more empty space. Get a little antsy when I go into a cluttered house.
Especially like the idea of using all five senses. Don’t do enough of that.
August 28th, 2008
Scott: “The whole experience comes alive…” Exactly! It’s like I wake up to everything good that’s going on around me.
Mark: That’s a great example of how owning something doesn’t necessarily add to life. Having healthy relationships, on the other hand, clearly pays off.
Effortless Abundance: Thanks! And your Gravatar is lover-ly.
Lance: Seriously, do the simple toys ever get old? Anything that requires imagination lends itself to constant reinvention and renewed novelty.
Adam: I actually agree with both your point and Mark’s. While Mark shows that letting go of something doesn’t have to bring down your quality of life, you’re tuned into the idea that letting go can actually increase that quality in wonderful ways. Calm and easy-peasy sounds wonderful right bout now.
Alison: I’m the same way. I like things to have space, and tend to rearrange after cleaning out. In my eyes, everything looks better when it seems like it’s got room to breathe.
Eric: Your bedroom sounds like some kind of record! I take it you spent a lot of time elsewhere.
I love your point about heirlooms and special items. They can add so much meaning to your surroundings when they get the spotlight.
NeimanMarxist: Those plushy pictures kill me! They look awesome in print, but I would probably be driven to distraction in reality!
LivSimpl: I’m still trying to convince my better half of this. In the meantime, I’ll continue to be the last one to finish my plate.
Jeff: I remember that one–I loved that post! I definitely encourage anyone who enjoyed this piece to check that one out.
Eric: Ah, closet zen.
Sounds like a great way to weed without the guilt or the second guessing.
Vered: I love that you actively dislike Stuff! It’s definitely something to be proud of; I know it took me awhile to realize that my Stuff was like a crappy friend that begged for attention, stole my money, and gave me nothing in return.
Gidget: Thanks so much! I really appreciate the support!
Whit: I had a roommate like that–except her issue is bare walls! Since we loved each other, it was easy to compromise, but it helped to have our own spaces where we could be as sparse/cluttered as we wanted.
David: Thanks for the kind words! And sometimes a slow approach is good–it’s certainly working for me.
August 28th, 2008
Hi Sara,
I love the idea of making a list of what we can do for free. Years ago I remember doing that and was shocked at all of the things I added to the list. It proved to me, I didn’t have to spend money to have fun. To this day, I still use some of those ideas.
August 28th, 2008
Hi Barbara,
That’s great to hear! It sounds cheesy, but it really does work! If you ever want to share some of your favorite ideas, I’m all ears.
August 29th, 2008
I like your idea about engaging the five senses. Your tip is a new one for me in how you presented it “By packing the mundane with meaning, we create a luxurious lifestyle out of nothing at all.” I tend to eat my meals quickly so it will be quite an effort for me to slow down and observe every bite that I take.
August 29th, 2008
Evelyn: Reading your comment right before lunch is reminding me to take my own advice! Thanks!
August 29th, 2008
Ok, It’s going to be a long weekend so I’m going to check out my old books and listen to my old cd collections.
August 30th, 2008
Yes! Empty space really is freedom. I’ve been going through all the “Stuff” I thought I needed to keep and selling it on eBay and half.com.
I think more and more people are realizing this, slowly but surely, thanks to folks like you!
August 30th, 2008
Chris: Yay! I bet there are gems in there. If you find any hidden treasures, let us know–I love hearing what others are reading and listening to.
Nathalie: I think it hits people at different times in their lives. And once it hits you, it’s like, “Of course!” How’s the selling going? Is it worth the time to post, track, and ship?
August 30th, 2008
Room to think really resonates with me. I always feel so cluttered, I seem to be in a continuous pattern of save, sort and toss. I was reading Jill Butler’s Create the Space You Deserve this week and have been inspired by her cottage renovation to clear the clutter and spend this weekend recreating my space to be more a reflection of who I am now, and so that I have much more room to think. Thanks for a great post!
August 30th, 2008
Ruth: What an exciting project! I’d love to hear about any ideas or inspirations you came up as you work on this.
September 1st, 2008
Sara: Thank you so much I intend to decluter today & to give it all away to Goodwill…You did me a very big favor…Have a GREAT Weekend…Reba Galvin
September 1st, 2008
Reba: Good for you! I hope that you feel lighter already!
September 1st, 2008
Hi Sara –
I loved this post. The part about food resonated well with me. My favorite book is “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan. He changed the way I look at food. One of his best tips is to buy better local food (instead of cheap imported stuff) and enjoy making your food. Smell the herbs and taste the spices. Most importantly – don’t eat alone, and absolutely eat at a table (your desk, or your car seat don’t count). Take the time to enjoy your food and share it with friends and family. You’ll find you spend more per meal, but less overall. In the process you’ll be eating healthy and appreciating what nature has given us.
Thanks for the post! Judging by the number of comments I’m not the only one who appreciated it.
September 3rd, 2008
Hi Christopher: Sorry for the belated response; looks like you got nailed by an overly aggressive spam filter. Eating at a table really is part of the experience. That’s one thing I’ve always believed, but not quite followed through on. I’ll be checking out Pollan’s book when it’s available at the library–thanks for the recommendation.
September 30th, 2008
Your article so rings a bell with me. I feel absolutely liberated when I can remove items from our apartment and recycle them either directly in the bin or to the local charity. Whenever a depressed mood sets in, I return to nesting and clearing away debris and within minutes my mood is lifted. My family also knows to leave me be for the time needed – 10 minutes to 10 hours depending on how many empty boxes and bags I have. The image you chose for this is great – I stumbled this one as well.
September 30th, 2008
Somone: “Whenever a depressed mood sets in, I return to nesting and clearing away debris and within minutes my mood is lifted.” It’s amazing how that works, right? Once you get into the habit of clearing away, the thought of buying something to make yourself feel better becomes pretty distant.
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