Does Decluttering Make Sense in Hard Economic Times?
Not everyone is worried about the economy, but the collective concern is palpable. References to the Great Depression are always prefaced with “it’s not as bad as,” but the sheer volume of mentions belies an underlying fear. So I find myself wondering why it is that I’m happily getting rid of perfectly usable items in the name of decluttering, when our grandparents thrived by doing the exact opposite.
Stories of Depression-era thrift abound and they’re always inspiring. Before recycling was chic, this generation learned how to reduce, reuse, and reuse again when it was a necessity. Do the values of simplicity and minimalism clash with Depression-era resourcefulness?
Now Is Not Then
One key reason why I’m not saving up spare towels and cutting buttons off of clothing is simple: we are not in the 1930s. Goods are more available, especially cheap goods. Also, secondary markets like thrift stores and eBay make it simple to find the things you need at a discount.
Secondly, I am most prepared for hard times when I can make choices without boxes of “stuff” getting in the way. If I need to move for a job, downsize my house, or invite others into my home for a stay, I can do so fairly easily. In times where flexibility is beneficial, hoarding can cost you as many opportunities as you gain.
Training Ourselves That Enough Is Enough
Finally, one important reason is psychological. When I get rid of stuff by decluttering unused items, I give myself a feeling of abundance. By moving a few rarely worn shirts out of the closet, I send a message to myself that I have enough. When I feel like I have enough to get by, I’m simply happier and more relaxed. By clinging to every item on the off chance I might need it later, I gain a few dollars but pay a hefty price: daily peace of mind. In difficult times, that peace of mind and comfort is even more valuable. I’m simply not willing to trade it away for a few dollars here and there.
I do not want to insinuate that being frugal and getting full use out of your possessions is holding you back. Quite the opposite. But those who are anticipating the worst by collecting anything that could be potentially useful might be missing the forest for the trees.
Preparing for the worst = great
Living like the worst has already happened = not so much
I’m having a hard time writing what I feel without sounding flippant, but here’s the bottom line: keeping that ugly 1970s end table or ill-fitting sweater because, well, it would be wasteful to get rid of it right now just isn’t helping your situation. In fact, it’s probably making you feel more panicked and broke than you really are. That’s no way to make good decisions for yourself.
What’s your take on this? Would we all be better off if we returned to Depression-era thrift, or does minimalism have a place in a recession?
photo credit: booleansplit
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This post has 26 comments
January 30th, 2009
I am a newby, so firstly I need to say what a wonderful blog this is. I am so glad that I found you Sara. Over the past few days I have been reading all your posts and I feel so happy and inspired.
I am working my way towards simplifying my life and my families (secretly, as they are 3 and 7 and wouldn’t “get me”).
I think that simplifying is so healthy, especially at the moment. As we all readjust our living, I think that we need to have the space that simplicity brings, to think of ways that will help our own situation. I believe that hoarding or hanging onto things takes energy. You have to take care of the things you own, they take up space and I think they end up taking our precious mental space….which is what we really need to help us move through this time.
Thanks Sara. For want of a better word…your awesome!
From,
Sara in Sydney
January 30th, 2009
Sara, I think the most crucial point that you make in this post is that goods are more available today. Industrial capacity and manufacturing automation have increased massively since the 1930s.
So yes, absolutely, minimalism is every bit as relevant and valuable in recessionary times. The psychic cost of clutter and the cost of using more space to keep more stuff easily outweighs the occasional cost to replace something you unexpectedly need after purging it.
January 30th, 2009
You’ve certainly given some food for thought. I am concerned about the economy and if our jobs will still be there a year from now, but my way of dealing with it is trying to be happy with what I do have and focus less on the wants.
Decluttering makes me feel good. Don’t get me wrong, I like *stuff*. I enjoy having beautiful things around me and my home is not sparse, but too much just hold you back.
I don’t see any need for keeping items I have no use for any longer. Recently I decluttered part of my basement where I have a laundry area. I can’t tell you how good I feel when I go down there and I don’t feel closed in by stuff that I don’t need!
I think the more important thing to focus on now is geting rid of the debt clutter and building up some savings if possible. Any personal security we can have the better. If we have no debt, other than mortgage/car it will make keeping our homes much easier.
January 30th, 2009
Well said!
I’ve found that the more slimmed down our lifestyle in terms of possessions, the easier it has been to be happy living on less money. Our kitchen is organized and easy to cook in; our son has plenty of space to play and can easily get to his favorite toys.
It’s also true that giving things away generates goodwill. I recently gave some of my son’s hand-me-downs to a neighbor, after having one of those agonized “what if we DO have another baby” conversations with myself. I was richly rewarded – she brought over an almost brand new Exersaucer for our daughter! Even on Craigslist, it would’ve cost more than I was willing to spend.
Yes, I’m nervous. But I’m trying to separate my anxieties about an uncertain short term future and the realities of building a happy life for my family.
January 30th, 2009
Great post, very thought provoking. In tough times like we’re seeing now, it’s nice to have your home be your sanctuary; a calm, relaxing place to land at the end of a hectic day. It’s difficult to have that peace of mind and calmness when you’re surrounded by so much stuff.
Living with few nice things has worked wonders for me and my family. There is less to clean, put away, pick up etc… life is just simpler now.
I agree with Melaniesd about eliminating debt clutter and building up some savings. Depending on how much you have it can be a large undertaking…not impossible mind you and it’s immensely satisfying in the end!
SereneJourneys last blog post..Grab the Reigns and Enjoy Your Life
January 30th, 2009
Inspirational article! Minimalism thrives in recession in my opinion! I might simplify here a bit but I experience that minimalism leads to better focus. And effective focus leads to higher value which is quite needed during recessions, isn’t it? Recession is an opportunity..
January 30th, 2009
@Melaniesd: Great point about debt clutter. I just love the phrase and how it connotes the burden and excess of a lot of consumer debt.
@SereneJourney: Having a home be a sanctuary is a great idea. When it feels like the outside world is going crazy, you need a place to find peacefulness and balance. Great point!
January 30th, 2009
Another way that today’s times are not like the 1930s is that most consumer goods are meant to be disposed.
Growing up we had repairmen for the dishwasher, tv, shoes, etc. That’s because things were meant to last and they were expensive and it was cheaper to get them fixed.
Nowadays you can take your broken DVD player for repair for >$100 or get a new one for ~$80.
The same holds true for so much clutter we hold on to. Most of it can be replaced for something brand new and cheaper.
I worked with a woman who went through The Great Depression and she held on to things like cotton balls (which had become a deep sepia brown) and a ‘perfectly good’ wooden leg to a table that no longer existed; just in case another table would need a wooden leg.
Most of her things were obsolete because everyone was afraid of her brown cotton balls and no one was going to get crafty at work with that wooden leg.
So until the value of most of consumer goods swings from being cheap and disposable into quality and long lasting, I think it is still worthwhile to declutter.
January 30th, 2009
Why should it be Depression-era thrift? Why can it not be just thrift? Thrift as a value is valid in all times.
Being clutter free too makes for common sense.
One of the greatest saws has always been “Spend after you save rather than save after you spend”.
That sums up thrift. Cleanliness is Godliness is another saw that sums up being free of clutter.
rummusers last blog post..Grandparents.
January 30th, 2009
Great points! I think that for me the difference lies where I have ‘too much stuff’ as it is — and therefore decluttering is a necessity for my sanity – recession or not. I think that it’s different than comparing to years and years ago. Recession hit and most people probably didn’t have too much “stuff” — therefore gaining stuff was a huge task and then items needed second or third lives — to survive.
I also believe that decluttering NOW is brilliant — because there are more people in need of the stuff that is just piled up, not used in my home. I’d rather those people be able to have the stuff.
Annies last blog post..Handmade Inspiration…
January 30th, 2009
Absolutely agree. Now is the time to budget and chase the needs…not the wants.
Christophers last blog post..Flight 1549’s Good Luck Charm – Passenger Maryann Bruce
January 30th, 2009
My mom and my husband’s grandmother held on to useless stuff because of their experiences in the Depression. Grandma was terrible at fixing things and most of the junk she held onto was ugly, battered and rickety. My mom’s stuff is largely the same.
Over her lifetime, Grandma and Grandpa saved thousands in the bank, but when she went into the nursing home, the money went to pay the home operators instead of benefitting her children. I’m not saying spend it all, but better to have a really nice end table that you just love than some seventies models that you have and use to hold up other ugly junk.
Quality, not quantity.
Besides that, I would bet money that we have WAYY more stuff today than the average household in the 1930s. I’ve given a way a LOT of clothes over the last few years (changes in size) and I don’t remember what I gave away!
January 30th, 2009
Some of the other posters made really good points about the quality of things are not what they used to be. With the exception of my partner who is an audiophile and only buy high-end audio equipment that holds its value for years (he has sold some equipment for close to what he has paid even years before), most things fall apart and doesnt hold its value. Time doesnt allow us to learn to fix flat screen televisions, computers, cell phone, etc, unless that is your hobby or occupation.
Maybe if things REALLY tighten up we will start collecting buttons, but there is no need to hold on to useless things now.
Carlas last blog post..Free Shipping Through February 1st
January 30th, 2009
I think you’ve made an excellent assessment of why the situation is different for us now. Things are cheaper, thrift stores are available. We may not be able to afford nice sweaters, but we can probably afford ones we like better than what we’re itching to chuck.
I don’t want to end up like my grandmother, who hoards everything. She grew up as the child of a widow in the Depression, so life was hard. Sometimes I’m worried that I’ll turn into her. But if I don’t panic now and start hoarding then I hope I can avoid it down the road when there’s even less reason.
Ruths last blog post..What Are You Valuing More Than Your Goal?
January 30th, 2009
Stuff to think about! Decluttering does make sense. Perhaps during a recession we can all realize what REALLY matters.
Sagans last blog post..Super Bowl Feasts
January 31st, 2009
What an excellent, thought-provoking post.
So many of my clients have been downsizing – both in new spaces and in their present homes – that it prompted me to write a new book, Downsizing Your Home With Style.
While many people are interested in decluttering in order to live more tranquil lives, with fewer possessions, a great number have had to move to smaller places for a variety of reasons and have, therefore, been forced to choose between what they will keep and what they will part with.
The good news is that, after the fact, most have found they feel good about having less.
My firm, Use What You Have Interiors, was founded in 1981 when the economy was strong. We were going counter the trend that encouraged accumulating lots of possessions. In the early 1990s recession and today, as the public has become more and more conscious of recycling and reusing things, it is encouraging to hear that accumulating “stuff” is not as important as simply being content with what one already has.
Lauri Ward
http://redecorate.com/blog/feed/
January 31st, 2009
A year ago, people were saying my husband and I were crazy. We moved into a 480 square foot apartment in Europe. Now are living expenses are a fraction of theirs, and we don’t have nearly the clutter. Not everyone, but some people are starting to think maybe we aren’t so crazy as the economy slumps.
Katie
January 31st, 2009
I definitely think the quality of most items has changed–at least the items that are most commonly available. Quality is out there, but it’s not the default option. That’s not bad across the board, but like people have mentioned, it does change the playing field.
Also, Karolin’s point about repair costs is dead-on. So many items simply aren’t worth (at least on paper) the cost of repairs. That does make me want to want to look into minor repairs as a hobby, though!
January 31st, 2009
I think we should declutter and minimize and then get into the habit of being thrifty with what we have left. An old sweater that doesn’t fit isn’t really useful to keep around if you already have one that fits well that you love. Keep the one you love and wear it out before buying a new one.
Chiot’s Runs last blog post..Gardening Quote
January 31st, 2009
I don’t know how but you found the picture of my office!
Great post about such a helpful subject. There is immense peace in spaciousness. How many times have you thought about sitting among tangled branches and willows over the sandy spot alongside the creek?
Namaste,
Rogers last blog post..The Moments That Shape Us
February 1st, 2009
You’ve hit the bulls eye. We create a feeling of abundance when we don’t hoard every little thing. If we cut off buttons we become too worried about storing buttons instead of creating new opportunities.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Nows last blog post..Your Big Dream for This Year
February 2nd, 2009
“My firm, Use What You Have Interiors, was founded in 1981 when the economy was strong. We were going counter the trend that encouraged accumulating lots of possessions.”…
Lauri Ward, author of my FAVORITE decorating book! Your book is a groundbreaker for anyone interested in decorating! I hope you made a bundle with your book, it is a treasure! I am subscribing to your blog today!
February 3rd, 2009
What a thought-provoking post!
I think you made a great point with the ‘mental energy’ expended in hoarding. There is a big different between making sure you get your value out of an item and holding on to it ‘in case’. One thing that helps me, especially with useful things like clothes that I just don’t wear is that if I keep it instead of donating it, it just sits in my closet when someone else could be using it!
I know that having a lot of things that I don’t actually use is depressing for me and takes a lot of emotional and mental energy (mostly because of my family history, pack rats). By going through your items you see what you really do use and what you don’t, if you go the next step and take that knowledge with you when you shop for other things, you’ll save money by remembering “hey, I didn’t use this last time… why do I think I’ll use it now? Do I have anything that I can use for the same purpose?” It’s being thoughtful not just in what you buy but in what you own. If you have a bunch of junk in your house thinking “I’ll use it sometime”, chances are you won’t be able to find it/remember you have it for the purpose you thought of.
February 3rd, 2009
Hello Sara,
This is my first visit to your blog. I like what I see so far. I’m involved in a group that is committed to a movement towards SUFFICIENCY. And what I’ve read so far here – you share some of the same thoughts. Sufficiency is a mindset, a context – that we are enough, have enough, etc. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Lynne Twist’s book – “The Soul of Money” – but she talks about suffiency, scarcity and abundance. It’s an incredible book and it offers a whole different paradigm to live into. I recommend checking it out. And – I’m so all for decluttering and letting things go versus hoarding. It sounds like you trust that you have what you need and that it is enough.
Thanks for your posts.
Blessings,
Lora
February 12th, 2009
Sara, beautiful post! Hoarding and a scarcity mindset are so intrinsically linked. I have experienced some extreme poverty in my life and so when I first started to declutter my massive amounts of stuff, it was hard to let go because I was worried I wouldn’t have the money to replace if I ever needed the items again. But letting it go and having faith in yourself and your life really does welcome abundance. I wrote on a somewhat similar theme on my post below, You Are Enough and You Have Enough!
Catherine at NurturingHope.coms last blog post..You Are Enough and You Have Enough!
August 6th, 2009
i liked this post like all your blog actually. i think that in times of recession it is better to declutter. i am so against holding stuff that i refuse to buy a house, i would better rent all my life and downsize to a smaller rent when i need to- this is so easy when i have just 2 bags of stuff. i’d better save money or invest them safely than store stuff.
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