This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Exploring the intersection of materialism, minimalism, and consumption
The 10 Lessons
There is a lot of money to be made selling your stuff online. But you can also give away your stuff for free. However, if you’re in dire need of cash, selling your belongings is an easy way to go.
The less you accumulate, the more money you will have. If you’re not spending, you’re saving.
Giving away everything helps hone in on what you truly desire, need, and are willing to purchase back into your life.
When you have less, you get comfortable with owning fewer things, which helps you adopt a less consumer-focused mentality that runs rampant in our society.
Most stuff is meaningless. And if we take a step further, most of the items we own provide no value to our lives, and we often don’t even utilize them.
Attachment can often make you hold onto things you shouldn’t. There was much stuff I had in my house that didn’t need to be there anymore. However, I felt I did need it for some strange reason, even though it held no worthy purpose in my life.
Think more than twice over what you buy. I’ve bought quite a few things over the years. Probably less than most, but still quite a bit. Frequently when I thought I was making the best decision, I still probably didn’t need the item because ultimately, I wasn’t going to use it, I didn’t need it, and the money could have been better spent elsewhere – even when I was utterly in love with the item.
There will always be something better. Learn to live with FOMO. Many people buy things because they think this is it; there will never find anything else better. But we must remember that the world never stops innovating; there will always be something better, another option, a new gadget, a different color or style, etc. Never make a purchase from a lack mentality or fear of missing out.
Never hold onto items that bring pain or painful memories. If looking at something brings discomfort in your life, let it go – quickly and easily.
There is always a hidden cost to accumulation. The hidden cost could be making your moves more expensive, too much stuff to maintain, debt accumulation, feelings of emptiness, or being overwhelmed. Think more than twice before you pay the price.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.