7 Strategies For Living With Less (And Loving It Even More Than More)

We all want more, right? More time. More vacations. More pretty dish towels, all lined up in a drawer. And more (of course)…money.

Here’s the problem with wanting more. You’ll never get it. When you get what you thought you wanted, it won’t be enough because you didn’t want that thing. You wanted…more.

So. What if we turned the tables and decided to pursue…less? Can you do it? Will it make you happier? Not to have more of something else. Just to have…less.

Step 1: Learn to Love Having Less (But Really.)

What do I mean by this? The first step to love the idea of having less is to see the benefits of having less. You can’t live your life thinking one phone charger is okay but four would be better. See how silly that sounds? More is not better. More is just…more.

So what are the benefits of having less?

• Less stress. A messy house is aggravating!
• Less to maintain and clean.
• Greater Appreciation for What You Have. Living with less helps you love what you keep.
• Easier Decision-Making. Fewer choices in clothing, gadgets, and other possessions can simplify daily decision-making.

Step 2: Declutter Your Space

Effective decluttering is an art, and it starts with the art of letting go.

First, be honest with yourself. You don’t need six different frying pans or a shelf full of unread books. You don’t.

It’s okay to let go of things, even if you spent money on them or they hold sentimental value. The key is to keep items that serve a purpose or bring you joy.

Don’t try to declutter your whole house in one day. Start with one room or even one drawer, and work your way through your home. Don’t overthink about what goes where. Most things belong in the trash.

A minimalist home doesn’t have to be stark or bare . You can have decorative items and be a minimalist. But you have to love them. You don’t just keep them because you have them and don’t want to waste them.

Keep things that are essential or make you happy, and clear out the rest. The key question is: Would I buy this again if I saw it at the store at full price?

Step 3: Simplify Your Wardrobe

Simplifying your wardrobe changes your life right away. Why? Your clothing is something you interact with all the time. First, you have to pick it out. Then you have to…you know… wear it. And at night, you repeat the cycle with pajamas. And then you have to wash it!

Clothing is a heavy subject because people see it as a way to express themselves. But think… is that overstuffed drawer of socks with holes in them how you want to express yourself? Is it the essence of you?

I challenge you to throw out or donate at least 50% of your clothing. Pull out all your shirts. Count them. Get rid of half. Do the same with every other category. One a day.

Here’s what to look forward to:

• Less Laundry.
• No Need for Complex Closet Organizers. Everything just… works.
• Saves Money in the Long Run.
• Travel Becomes Simpler.
• Greater Appreciation for What You Have. You tend to value and care for your clothes more when you have fewer items.

I know 50% is harsh. You can do it. You’ll be glad.

Step 4: Reducing Time Commitments

We say yes to everything – social gatherings, extra projects, volunteer work. A full life is good, right? Maybe.

Do you like what you’re doing? Or are you doing it because you want people to like you? Be honest. No one will like you because you waste time volunteering for dumb things at your kid’s school. Sorry.

Does this mean you should always say no to these things? Of course not. But recognize that your time is valuable and finite. You don’t have to do things because you’re asked. The decision is always yours.

Saying no can be hard. Here are some ways to say no.

• I’m sorry, I wish I could.
• I can’t make time for that this month.
• Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t.
• No.
• Nope.
• Absolutely not (while laughing).

Try it. Just say no. And fill that freed-up time with what truly matters.

“What truly matters.” Deep. A lot of pressure, right? When you read this, do you think you should now be filling your time with deep tasks like meditating? You can. Or you can enjoy a quiet day.

Some ideas:

• Sit in the sun and enjoy your coffee
• Lay down next to your dog and cuddle
• Cut some wildflowers and put them on your windowsill.
• Go to the library
• Open all the windows in your house
• Take one of your children out for ice cream, just the two of you.

Remember, the decision is always yours.

Step 5: Consume Less

In reality, buying things is a part of life.

You can even spend a lot of money on things and not be in a consumerist mindset. You might need a lot of things. You can even buy things just because you want them and still not be consumed by consumerism.

Here’s the difference. The consumerist trap tries to convince you of one thing, and it’s this: If I buy this, I’ll finally be happy.

Is that thought lurking in the back of your mind when you buy toilet paper? No. When you click “add to cart” for that new butter yellow Coach purse, is it there? Maybe. Be careful. That’s the difference.

This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy shopping or appreciate nice things. Truly. It’s about that lie. If I buy this, I’ll finally be happy.

Instead of collecting things “just because”, focus on what brings you genuine happiness. Enjoy your new, calm, empty closet. Enjoy the less of it all.

More strategies for buying less:

• Set a Waiting Period. Try waiting for 30 days before making non-essential purchases to see if you still want or need them.
• Use a Shopping List
• Practice Gratitude. Remember what you have and be grateful for it.

Remember that boredom is another huge spending trigger! Stay busy. Go throw out your clothes or something 😉.

Step 6: Find Joy in Simplicity

Finding joy in simplicity is what living with less is all about. Instead of looking for happiness in things, we can find it in simple moments. This differs from strategy 1, which is the practical side of having less. This one is deeper.

Stop chasing the next big buy or life milestone. Stop blindly working for that next thing.

Stop living your life in the spirit of “When this happens, then I will do that.”

Where are you now? What are you doing with your time now?

You won’t look back fondly on the wanting, buying, or the getting.

All you have in life is the present moment. It is so easy to wish it away because you want the next thing. But I hope you don’t.

More Resources You’ll love:

I know, I know. I used the M-word 😉.

• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book is a classic in the decluttering space, offering practical advice on simplifying your stuff.
• Simple Living For Beginners. A look at what simple living is… and what it is not.
• Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker: A blog that offers a wealth of information on decluttering, simplifying life, and embracing minimalism.
• Declutter in Minutes. A blog that helps you declutter your home, room by room.
• The Art of Letting Go by The Minimalists: A TED Talk exploring the emotional journey and benefits of a minimalist lifestyle.

Remember, minimalism isn’t about having nothing; it’s about having exactly enough. So, take a deep breath, embrace the less, and prepare to enjoy a life that’s so much more.