Why Now is the Best Time to Ditch Your Stuff

Collaborative post

 

100 years ago, you would have been mad to get rid of the stuff you don’t need now for a few reasons. Firstly, stuff was significant as it represented wealth and good taste. Having the right kind of stuff was like showing the world that you are the right kind of person. Secondly, the economy was built on the acquisition and the sharing economy was not yet born. If you had a thing now that might come in handy for the future, chances are that you should keep it just in case. 

 

Of course, times change. The sharing economy is now booming with more sophisticated technology and platforms, often taking the place of the stuff you once filled your house with. All your music, photos, films and TV shows are now online and open-source platforms like Kodi are constantly being built on by the tech community – see troypoint.com for the latest add-ons. 

 

So what does this mean for us?

Ownership is Not Everything

Organization has become something of a fashion. Everyone everywhere seems to be talking about different techniques to get your life in order. But one of the simplest ways to deal with stuff is to get rid of the things you don’t need or things that you can access elsewhere. Media is a good example of this but there are plenty of other examples.

 

One intriguing concept is the library of things. This is a borrowing service set up in London that allows residents to borrow items that they use infrequently. But of course, you don’t need a library for this to work. You’d be amazed by how many residents in your local area would be willing to lend you things you need – especially if you are willing to lend things too. 

Less is More

The less is more approach can be difficult to start with but consider it this way: the less you have to buy the bigger your budget will be. Less is more requires you to look at everything you buy as an investment. Instead of buying something on a whim or something that probably won’t last very long, take your time in choosing the perfect product, considering longevity and quality as well as price. 

 

A capsule wardrobe is the perfect example here. By choosing items that work with at least 3 other items in your wardrobe, you reduce the need for more. So, let’s say you have a top that goes with just one skirt, that top will only get worn when you wear the skirt and will take up space the rest of the time. Now imagine that you choose a top that goes with several skirts, jeans and trousers – you are getting much more value from that one item. 

A Brand New Focus

When you aren’t focusing on the endless accumulation and disposal of things, you can turn your attention elsewhere. Millennials are trailblazing here with a greater interest in experience driving their motivations. And, when you are spending less on things, suddenly your dream holiday is much more feasible.