Redefining the Meaning of Wealth

Beautiful Joshua Tree, California

Could having fewer possessions make us wealthier people? Having less may seem counter intuitive to how we are accustomed to defining wealth, but I would like to make the argument that owning less may actually make us richer. I have so much “stuff” I literally don’t have time to use or enjoy it all. As I sit here writing this entry, I’m surrounded by beautiful furniture, books, the latest electronic gadgets, and every kitchen convenience you can imagine. Although thankful for all I have, I’m finding the cost of many (not all) of my belongings is often more than what the original price tag designated.

Material possessions have to be cleaned, maintained, and organized – in some cases even insured. If you’re not careful, your possessions can end up owning you instead of you owning them. I adore books but I recently came to the conclusion that I had way too many. My bookshelf was overflowing and I was beginning to resent the time spent dusting around them. Taking books down from a shelf and putting them back up again was not my idea of productive time management. I finally donated a huge portion of my collection to the local library. I now only have the books I refer to the most and someone else gets to enjoy those I no longer need.  Then there was my red old fashioned movie theatre air popcorn popper. It was darling to look at but taking up more than its fair share of space on my kitchen counter.  The other day I decided to quit admiring it and use it for what it was intended to do. Because it was cheap, the contraption almost caught fire and the popcorn making turned into a fiasco. The house smelled like burnt popcorn for the next 12 hours. Although still adorable to look at, I decided it served no useful purpose so out the door it went.

Wouldn’t it be great to have only the possessions around you that you needed and loved? The popcorn popper was cute, but I didn’t love it love it! The books were nice but I could live without them. I still have a ways to go but I’m on a mission to only surround myself with what I cherish and need. I love the idea of owning as little as possible. I want my life to be about experiences, spending time with people and doing what I love. Possessions will be part of the equation not but all of it. Most of us Americans have too much anyway. I don’t need another cheap knickknack or gadget. What I need is a roof over my head, healthcare, financial security, transportation, and nutritious food to eat. I want my material possessions few and I want them to enhance my life, not hinder it.

The more I declutter and pass on things I no longer need or use, the wealthier I feel. I feel better because I feel lighter and less distracted. I’m more open to learning and experiencing new things. I leave you today with a great quote about minimalism.

“It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely.” Bertrand Russell