I have been itching to write this blog. I have tried to hold back until I had more followers, but such can’t wait any longer. One of my biggest fights in society today is against the notion of STUFF.
The Bad News
Simple as that. I think having STUFF is a waste of so much. There are so many more important things in life than STUFF. I become passionate when arguing with those that need STUFF in their life. I hate STUFF so much, I have made my life so that I can pack most of my STUFF into a backpackers backpack and maybe another duffel. I stole the idea from a magazine interview with Matthew Mcconaughey who packs all his belongings into a couple bags. If STUFF that he has accumulated doesn’t fit into the bags, then he rids himself of its worthlessness.
That may be taking limiting STUFF to the extreme, but I definitely would rather be on that side of extreme than the other.
Here are just a few reasons for my hatred of STUFF:
- It’s meaningless
- It costs too much
- It’s a waste of money
- It’s a waste of time
- It distracts
- It clutters
- It inhibits on life
Obviously, not all STUFF does each of these and some STUFF is necessary. But, two closets full of clothing, knick-knick’s, decorative junk, furnished but unused rooms, etc. are only a detriment to our lives. It is ridiculous to see homes that are the size of a football field housing a couple that’s never there. It’s disappointing to hear people talk about needing to get more STUFF to fill voids in their homes or hearts or both. STUFF comes in all shapes and sizes and society needs to stop consuming so much of it and see life for what it is.
I have a revelation that I am going to let everyone here know. It’s a big secret, so make sure to do as we all actually do and whisper the secret to all our friends and family. Okay here it comes. Are you ready? The revelation is:
STUFF is WORTHLESS
The question to ask yourself is, “If I get rid of this, will I not survive?” If you can survive without it, then it is just STUFF. Whether you get rid of it or not, whether you think one way or another, it’s core principle is still STUFF.
The Good News
There is some good news though. Unlike trying to recapture years wasted accumulating STUFF, you can regain control of your life today and forward. Now, the following may be shocking, disturbing, unbearable, and so forth, but if you want more control over your life, it must be said. You need to emotionally part with your STUFF. It’s time to stop saying, “But I might need this some day,” and start saying, “I am never going to need this.” You can do this and you will be able to regain time, money, control by stopping STUFF from inundating your life.
10 Steps for ridding STUFF:
- Start by focusing on one area. For example, the garage
- Take everything out of your area
- Clean area
- Quickly go through your STUFF and pull to the side 10% of the STUFF you “MUST” keep
- Now from that 10% get rid of another 2%—Sorry!
- Neatly organize the STUFF you are keeping
- Take pictures of all the decent condition STUFF that you are not keeping
- Post these pictures with description on Craigslist and sell them.
- Whatever STUFF is left over either donate or trash.
- Relax, appreciate, brag that your life is now a little more free of STUFF
Hopefully, you have come to realize that STUFF will not make your life better. If anything STUFF makes your life worse. You can travel the world, have a family, experience the once unimaginable, now that you are free of STUFF in your life.
Be Free – Feel Free – Live Free
Click here to leave your brilliant comments!
Dave
LifeExcursion
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Hey Dave, I’m with you.
Stuff sucks, for the most part. I’ve cleaned out everything except what fits in a 32L backpack. That said, I will probably miss my guitar while traveling. But I’ll probably meet some awesome people on the road who will let me play theirs. 
.-= Karol Gajda´s last blog ..7 Tips: How To Declutter Your Life Using Craiglist =-.
Hey Karol—
I love not having STUFF. Sure there are some conveniences I miss but the freedom outweighs the missed conveniences.
Thanks for checking LifeExcursion out and hope you come back often….
Dave
LifeExcursion
.-= Dave´s last blog ..Fight Against STUFF =-.
I like your last three reasons for hating stuff the most. “It distracts, clutters and inhibits on life.” I feel the exact same way when my stuff starts to pile up.
Getting rid of the majority of unused stuff is a freeing experience. Great post!!
.-= Ralph´s last blog ..Playing a Game of “Chicken” With Fear =-.
I am glad you hear me on this one Ralph. It can be tough to go from the American materialistic mentality to a lonely minimalist. But it is freeing and enjoyable.
Thanks for reading and commenting Ralph!
Dave
LifeExcursion
.-= Dave´s last blog ..10 Financial Websites to Check Out =-.
[...] Got My First Credit Card – I bought a Sony Cybershot 7.2 megapixel digital camera at Best Buy. My credit limit was for only $500 and I paid it off within weeks, but what it did was turn me into a vampire. I had the taste of blood and wanted MORE MORE MORE. That first credit card was definitely the lowest balance I ever had, but it was probably the worst credit card because it opened the flood gates to thoughts of STUFF. [...]
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Dave,
Brilliant article. I have gotten rid of tons of stuff but there is MORE!! Especially sentimental stuff.Yesterday my husband said, “all my inherited stuff is someone else’s style, not ours”. He is so right. I only keep it because I think I am supposed to, even though I don’t want it.
I don’t miss anything I’ve gotten rid of but the initial act of parting with some things is hard!
Any advice on making letting go easier?
Thanks!