Our Possessions Cost More Than Just Money

Often when we think of the things we own, we only consider their monetary value—how much did we pay for them? How much are they worth now?

However, there’s more to factor in than just the basic cash value. Each item we own requires a different level of care after we purchase or acquire it.

This includes the time and energy to clean, maintain, repair, organize, or return it to its home. Considering these factors will help us understand the true cost of our possessions.

Some items you may find are worth the time and energy needed to keep them in proper working order. The two most common categories for these items are practical items and fun items—these are possessions we enjoy, treasure, or use for hobbies.

So why do we feel overwhelmed by our stuff?

The Third Category

In his book, “Goodbye, Things,” Fumio Sasaki discusses the messages that your things are telling you. All of our items evoke positive or negative emotions depending on what they’re saying to us.

I found this concept incredibly interesting to consider, and have been applying it to my home and possessions.

When I am unable to keep up with using or maintaining an item, my mind will begin to perceive it negatively. I may feel self-doubt, stress, or feelings of inadequacy as a response to this thing.

For example, if I purchased a special cake pan, I might think the following things every time I see it. “I should really use this item more, I spent money on it,” or, “Why am I so bad at using the things I own, I should bake more,” or, “I feel like I’m doing a terrible job, I can’t even get through my to-do list to bake something in this pan.”

Why would we let our stuff make us feel this way?

When we find ourselves in this position, it indicates we have two options.

Change Our Thinking

When confronted with negative thoughts and emotions, we have the power to change our minds. There are so many interesting books that dig into this topic (and I encourage you to see what’s out there if you find yourself struggling with this concept), but I’ll offer a few tips here:

• Take a few deep breaths to create space between you and the negative thoughts
• Practice self-compassion
• Adjust your language and recognize that negativity means this item isn’t serving its best purpose; it’s not you!

If the item is something useful or needs to stay within our house, we need to adjust our mindset to a more positive one. If not, it’s time to move on to the second option.

Get Rid of the Item

If we cannot change the way we feel, it might be time to simply say goodbye to whatever is causing these negative emotions! I truly believe that your joy, happiness, peace of mind, and mental health are more important than holding onto something that isn’t helping you.

If this is the case, don’t be afraid to donate or throw out the item.

There is so much going on in our lives, and there is so much in life to enjoy! Not only does decreasing your belongings allow you to live more simply, it often helps you live more positively as well!

How To Start

Walk around your home intentionally over the next few days and consciously evaluate the thoughts that come into your head as you see and use certain items. If you feel consistently negative about certain things, give yourself permission to get rid of them!

What about items that are hidden away or forgotten about?

I believe that these are still costing you time and energy—they are just dormant right now. There will come a time when you need an item or need to access the space it’s in.

What if we need to keep the item for practical purposes?

Sometimes we need to keep an item for practical purposes (i.e., tools, documents, etc.). I would challenge you to evaluate if you truly need it—can you get by without it? Can you find a different variation of it?

Some things, like important tax documents, we just can’t avoid getting rid of. Create a designated storage space that’s out of sight, so you won’t experience those thoughts on a regular basis.