No, I’m not a monk. I possess things and I take pleasure from working with and using tools and gadgets that I really care about.

Have fewer things, but things that you really value.

What I learned and changed over time is to have fewer things, but things that I value.

When I was a boy my dad always told me to spend my money for fewer things that are higher quality and will last and give me pleasure longer. As in so many cases, I should have listened to him closer. It took me many years to re-learn the same lesson on my own.

How many different jackets do you really need versus having a few that you want to wear every day? Do you need all those different gadgets versus a phone and tablet that you really like? How many different shoes do you need to own? How much silverware do you need? How much stuff to decorate your home? How many stuffed animals? How big does your house have to be? How many cars do you really need? What are you going to do with that bigger property?

The more stuff you have, the more your mind and life get cluttered. Also, the more stuff you have, the more time, energy and money you will need to manage and maintain that stuff. The more stuff you have, the more of your time you will spend with the things that you don’t like as much or feel guilty that you don’t, and the less time you will spend with the things that give you joy.

I developed a process to deal with shopping urges. When I get excited about a new gadget, I will read all about it and then put it on my Amazon wish list. That’s already half of the gratification with nothing spent so far. I will have it sit on that wish list for a while and only if I still think after a few weeks that I really need that gadget I will buy it. In most cases, I end up deleting it from my list.

You don’t need to become a monk. However, do focus on fewer things that give you real joy. Rather spend more money on fewer high quality things that you love dearly, than the same amount on a lot of stuff that you don’t care about much.

Even better, invest in things that help you create experiences rather than things that sit on your shelf.

Also remember, that many things that create experiences can be rented rather than bought. It takes a lot of boat trips to warrant the purchase of a motor boat.

 

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Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First

A practical guide to living healthier, happier and more successful in 52 weekly steps

By Alfons and Ulrike Staerk

ISBN 9781077278929

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