In this podcast episode on finances by The Minimalists, Joshua and Ryan discuss an article by Life Edited’s David Friedlander called Minimalism: class, fetishes and the fate of the planet. In the article, he shares one of my favorite quotes: “Stuff is not passive. Stuff wants your time, attention, allegiance. But you know it as well as I do, life is more important than the things we accumulate.” from Dave Bruno, the author of The 100 Thing Challenge.
I understood and noticed the time and attention part while selling and giving away most of my stuff, but it was only recently that I realized how all-consuming my allegiance to stuff was.
I pledge allegiance to my stuff
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by purchasing a ridiculous amount of insurance to protect it.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by only using it on special occasions.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by purchasing unique containers to store it in.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by building shrines to display it.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by choosing homes that had adequate cabinets and closets to contain it.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by lying to myself about the amount of debt I was in and how much I was spending.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by talking to my friends about what a great deal I got on it, or how many points I earned by shopping on for it on the right day.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by purchasing it with credit, thousands of dollars in credit knowing I’d be paying ridiculous interest rates and fighting collection calls.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by renting big trucks to drive it from home to home to home each time I moved.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by believing it had the power to change me, define me, or prove my worth to others.
- I pledged allegiance to my stuff by holding on to it, even when it was holding me back.
I’m not suggesting the stuff we own is bad, or wrong. Not being thoughtful and discerning about our stuff is the problem. Being aware of my misguided allegiance makes me even happier with the commitment I’ve made to live with less.
Maybe you don’t pledge allegiance to your stuff the way I did, but if a few of these statements resonate with you, say them out loud and see how it feels. Write a few of your own allegiance statements and see how your actions suggest you may be devoted to things that really don’t matter to you. This exercise isn’t designed to make you feel guilty, but to give you more power to let go and more clarity on what matters most.
Wow. This is powerful. I’ve only been subscribed here for a short time, and just started engaging with minimalism recently, but the impact it has already had on my well-being is profound.
What I love most about this article is that it addresses the cause (the thinking that goes into acquiring more stuff) rather than just the symptoms (what to do with all the stuff). I’m already emotionally invested in a culling of my stuff — selling, donating, or trashing the things that aren’t useful or beautiful — but today’s post set my mind down a path of investigating how I got here in the first place. Thank you so much for this deeply introspective look into our obsession with stuff. I appreciate this more than words can say.
Maggie, you said it so well. This article is the game changer. I’ve struggled with letting go, but the allegiance slant is a total eye-opener. Who wants to pledge alliance to things that don’t act, talk, breathe – things that are lifeless, if enjoyable for a season…maybe? In a sense, it’s idolatry. Whoa. Courtney, keep getting out this message; you are definitely the messenger. Thank you!
Wow , and wow some more! This is really an eye-opener! Makes me think about how my stuff gets such good treatment – better than I treat myself, and others sometimes! Going to share this with the hubby and kids too – thank you!!
I love this point of view. My husband and I downsized to a 399 sq foot tiny house last summer but even after this huge step I still didn’t understand the grip that consumerism had on me. I continued to hoard my things and aquire new things to replace ones I had downsized for the move. I refused to look inward at what value I could gain without the stuff. Since realizing what I was doing my family has set goals that steer us away from consumerism and toward living a full life. Thanks for the post, really enjoyed it!
Fantastic post — thank you!
Great advice. Their movie on Minimalism is a true eye opener.
As humorous as the pledge is as I read it, I’m aware of how true it in fact is and how I’m bound to them. Changing one’s consumer driven habits is hard but not difficult. Minimalism does help in being frugal too. I’m hoping with all your advice I’ll be able to reduce my debt.
Kudos to you! I left my career in prsfasoionel placement years ago. Retired my husband from his career back in 2005, and we have complete control of our time as a family. Freedom rules!
FANTASTIC! I have been getting rid of my “stuff” for a year now and some days aren’t very successful. But I think as Spring comes upon us, I will have more mental energy to getting back to tackle the job some more. I love the way you presented this pledge we have all taken silently without knowing esp. living in America. You did a wonderful job of opening my eyes again, Courtney.
Wow. Just by reciting that it already reveals some unreasonable sides of my mind. It seems that our minds work in a rather unusual way and it doesn’t notice that it attaches to stuff.
It is a great day when you flip the switch and the default is no longer “MORE”. I would always fall for the “buy one and get the other at half price” trap. You can’t beat that, right? You claim victory. You come home with two items instead of one and in reality you actually paid for two. What just happened here? No real savings. Belive it or not, the store does not care about your financial well being. LOL. How many times does that play out in a year. How much extra junk is aquired as a result?
My new defult is lower the price on the first item, I only need one. I now become offended when pushed to by more by retailers. Why assume I need or want more. More is no longer my default.
We pledged allegiance to our stuff by renting a storage locker for things that wouldn’t fit in our motorhome when we downsized.
Great post, indeed! The longer I traveld the road of mimimalism, the more I became aware that we commit conciously or unconciously to every single thing in our lives. While the concious decisions are easy to maintain, the unconscious pile up and life get’s clogged. To be aware of the true costs (not only money, but my time (the most valuable ‘thing’ I have) and attention) of a thing is the best way to keep it out of my life, now!
Thanks Courtney for another great eye-opener!
Very eye-opening, Courtney. I did hire big truck and buy big storages to fit all my stuff, many of which was really unnecessary. Now I’m in the process of a big house decluttering.
Ouch. And ouch again.
Sometimes the things we need to hear really aren’t comfortable. I’m mulling over this one now. Hmmm, some work to do methinks.
Ha! I like this! I didn’t get it at first by the title but reading the rest is eye opening.
I’m in the middle of furnishing my home as I moved out of my parents’ home. I will keep this mind when deciding what I fill my home with (or not!). Thanks for a brilliant read!