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.
Practicing minimalism and sharing it with others
Naturally, I was always interested in minimalism. I realized this early on because I always went through my stuff to see what I could throw and give away.
Then I got so passionate about minimalism that I started to give and throw away my family’s stuff (you can guess how that went).
What can I say? It’s hard for me to reside comfortably if hoarding behaviors are present.
My family started getting me less stuff through the years because they learned I had fewer wants, desires, and needs. I started to ask for amazon gift cards to get dog treats primarily.
You Don’t Have To Accept Every Gift
Things are great. Materialistic items are groovy, interesting, intriguing, and delightful, but to what end? We can’t take any of it to our graves, and frequently the stuff we obtain doesn’t provide much meaningful value.
A friend told me they would pick me up something along their travels, and I told them to ensure it was incredibly thoughtful or else I won’t have a place for it because I don’t like to collect items just because.
How often do you accept things from people because it’s the “nice” thing to do and a gift?
More often than not, we accept most of the gifts people give us.
But why not challenge this idea?
Before accepting a gift from someone, ask yourself the question:
Do I love this?
Do I need this?
Do I want this?
Does it provide meaning to my life?
Will I use this often?
Does it bring me joy?
If the answer is mostly “no” to these questions, give the gift back or give it to someone who will appreciate it more.
Hoarding and collecting things is common, which is why storage is a lucrative business.
We love collecting stuff, but in reality, we only ever utilize a few things.
Most of the time, things sit, collect dust, and depreciate.
Desires Make You A Servant
The less you desire, the more power you have.
The more desires you have, the less freedom you have.
What is the cost of a desire?
Time, money, effort, energy, and frequently our well-being (emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual).
The more you accumulate, the more that is required from you to retain it.
Things keep people in debt.
Things prevent people from moving.
Things prevent people from living simply.
Things keep people working all of their lives.
Things prevent people from experiencing financial independence.
Question Your Desires
As I’ve accumulated more years, I realized that the more I question my desires, the fewer desires I genuinely have.
I keep my list of desires simple, small, and specific.
Things will never produce happiness.
Desires Make You A Servant
Are You Free Or Enslaved?
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.