Compliments of himmelskratzer via Flickr

I want more – Faithless

We have a love affair with our things. The thought that more of them will bring us joy is a joke – a fantasy fueled by wanton craving. And yet we keep purchasing, more and more and more items, until every corner that we have is crammed to capacity. When it comes to feeding our spirit, more is less. It feels satiated when it’s not wallowing in excess. What if running to the store, you instead made a trip to the inner recesses of your home?

You might discover corners populated with things past – or that thingamajig you needed since it went AWOL (the Rosetta stone for your current project). If we spent more time maintaining, rearranging, cleaning, polishing, appreciating, and fixing the items that we own, I think we’d have precious little time left over to purchase more of the same. Going on a treasure hunt within one’s abode is not only enjoyable, it’s a journey to the center of our stuff – at the end of which we discover both keepsakes and junk heaps.

Do really know what you possess? If we took an inventory of every single thing we own, I think we’d be surprised (and feel subsequently richer for the experience). Taking exquisite interest in what’s been entrusted to our care reaps its own reward – of byproduct economy, gratitude, and satisfaction. If we don’t truly appreciate what we have, how can we be happy with additional things?

To get started, set aside an “inventory day” for each room. Sort through every item, determining what you need (and don’t need), and what action item should be instigated on salvageable pieces – should they be cleaned, burnished, repaired, rearranged, organized, containerized, framed for display, protected, insured, folded neatly, or refurbished? Knowledge of our stuff (and a more intimate relationship with our belongings) empowers us to create a tranquil nest.

Take one room at a time. Take stock of the situation. Then be ruthless with the result (note that hoarding helps no one but the TV producers). Love what you have, and only have what you love. Your new relationship will keep you from being a “closet” shopper. Instead of being promiscuous with the latest offerings, develop a love affair with your own stuff (and as a result, you will find you want less stash). If carefully tended, these same things will take on new meaning. Moreover, you’ll be so engrossed in finding things forgotten you’ll be too busy to run to the store. If you make a diligent effort to do this every day, you won’t have time to buy more.

Related posts:

Clear your desk, clear your mind: Men’s Health
How to radically reorganize your office: Forbes