Less is More
My journey of reduction has taught me that the saying “less is more” is really true. I never believed it or even really understood it before. If something is good, then isn’t more better? Well, no.
When it comes to stuff, I know, I am kind of like a broken record about this, but the elimination of a lot of the clutter around me has made such a huge difference. A houseful of carefully chosen items placed with love is more lovely than a house full of too many of anything. Not only is less more tasteful, but it means less stuff to move t around to clean, less stuff to pay for. And by having less, I feel like I have more. I have more room to breathe, more money, more space in my life for stuff that matters but that you can’t hold.
I truly believe that despite the messages we’ve all had drilled into our brains forever that money can buy happiness, it really doesn’t. I know money can buy things that make us comfortable, money can provide food, shelter and security. And all of those things can make us happier. But in the sense that if a person is unhappy and thinks a higher paycheck is going to fix it, perhaps there are other things they can look at first. What about more money would make you happy? That you can buy more stuff? Or that you can feel secure and make a brighter future for yourself? There is a difference. Most of all, this is how I think less is more when it comes to money: Less spending today means more in my pocket for tomorrow.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hi Emily,
I’ve come to realise the value in having less. We have only one wage coming into the house now and yet we still manage to get by. The bonus is, that life is better in so many ways than before.
We’ve reduced our clutter significantly but we’ve still got a long way to go.
Less is more. It’s a great message.
I’m curious to know whether there are any items you got rid of, which you now miss having around? (if that’s not too intrusive to ask?)
I’ve only just found your site and I’m looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
Dave.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:12 am
@Dave, thanks for stopping by, I am glad you’re here! I can’t think of anything that I have gotten rid of that I miss. When I am minimizing and donating or selling stuff, I try to think of it in terms of moving. If we were to move today, would this be worth the time it takes to pack it, the cost it takes to store it and then the time it takes to unpack it again? If the answer is yes, it stays. Otherwise, it’s gone.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Less has definitely become more for me. In the beginning of July, (after reading TMM from Dave Ramsey) I sold some items on Craigs List. I don’t miss those items at all. Which tells me I didn’t really need them in the first place. As a mom, I love having less - less to pick up everyday!
somedays I wish there was more though - not stuff but more $$ for experiences - travel, entertainment, outings. Days that make memories.
Denises last blog post..you had me at cooler
August 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I don’t give a holler, or even a whisper, about money. I don’t care what it can buy me, because I don’t care about stuff. I do, however, care about time. It’s the only thing I have that is not in any way renewable. Money can buy time, and time can buy happiness. Great post, great site, thank you.
Writer Dads last blog post..Sink or Swim
August 7th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Good thoughts. Blogs such as yours, which have inspired me to simplify my home and get rid of the things I don’t use or need or even want have given me the gift of an apartment I can clean in one hour (with no pre-cleaning angst, seeing as it’s going to be DONE in an hour, not a DAY). Having less means that you can spend more of your life living, not taking care of all your stuff. In the words of The Philosopher (Marx) :”The less you eat, drink, buy books, go to the theatre, go dancing, go drinking, think, love, theorize, sing, paint, fence, etc., the more you save and the greater will become that treasure which neither moths nor maggots can consume — your capital. The less you are, the less you give expression to your life, the more you have, the greater is your alienated life and the more you store up of your estranged life. ”
Anyway.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:51 am
@ Denise, yes experiences are worth far more than things anyday.
@ Writer Dad, I agree - there are certainly things that less is more doesn’t apply to. Like time, love, family experiences. Seems to come down to those things you can’t buy are the things that when you get down to it are what people seek, but often in the wrong places. It is true that money can buy the availability of those things, but can also hinder them if used in the wrong ways. A person slaving at the day to day grind to make money to keep afloat is missing out on family time, love, laughter, etc…for money. By having less, needing less, time somehow falls into your lap.
@neimanmarxist - Great quote! And yes, the freedom of knowing you can clean quickly makes it much less agonizing when facing the task!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I have never understood why people work all the hours under the sun to buy more stuff! I mean once I’ve accomplished my goals, I’d rather work less and not buy, life is too precious to spend working!
Frugal Trenchess last blog post..Catching Up!
August 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Time is the gift I give my mother, now, for birthdays and Mother’s Day, instead of trying to figure out what to buy—with the money I don’t have. I usually bring breakfast (sometimes dessert for breakfast!) and make sure I’ve set aside oodles of time to just chat leisurely, without thought for the clock. She’s older and has everything she needs, except enough time with her daughter. Actually, it’s a gift for BOTH of us.
As for your question, Emily, about how more money would make me happier, that’s easy. We’ve never carried debt (and what a wonderful feeling that is!) until now, having gone over budget building our house. Getting rid of that heavy weight will allow our lungs to fill, again, and then we can get on with things. Debt is not fun; I don’t know how people do it and stay sane.
And that leads to a giant “thank you” for the reminders you give us. Sharing your thoughts as you do helps us all!
Julies last blog post..Reflection
August 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
@Frugal Trenches - ME NEITHER!!
@Julie - Thank you for the thoughts you’ve added to the discussion. I appreciate every one else’s experiences. You are right debt is not fun. I’ve been there. I appreciate the thank you for the things I write being helpful. I write to motivate myself and remind myself why the life I have now is one to be appreciated and to keep from ever going back to what I was before. I am glad my own motivating writing does so for others as well.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
While in art school I used Ludwig Meis van der Rohe’s phrase of “less is more” daily. Actually, I still use it daily (ask my kids). In all aspects of life “less is more”. Just today, I began cleaning the kitchen. I spent a lot of time on the windows. I tossed the window treatments made from branches of lemon leaves. They were beautiful, but I was tired of them. Also, they were a dusty mess. I just need a major purge at this moment in my life. I think reading everyone’s blogs motivates me to actually get stuff done.
August 8th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Amen sister! I can’t speak the praises enough about having a decluttered home. So much less stress and more peace.
Stumbled, and I’ll be linking to you in an upcoming post.
August 8th, 2008 at 7:57 am
This is so true! I am really working in my own life to “remodel” (lol) and I have recently gotten rid of SO much CRAP - and it feels wonderful.
There is now more room in my home for my children to play, less stuff for me to clean, and I am more comfortable in my home than I have ever been.
I have also recently drank the Dave Ramsey Kool Aid and I am, for the first time in my adult life, really working to get my finances under control. But NOT so I can buy more stuff!
Great post
Lus last blog post..Mom Seeking Mom Advice: Simple Birthday Gifts for a Little Boy
August 8th, 2008 at 11:22 am
[...] Less is more at Remodeling this Life. It most certainly is. And it’s easier said than done!
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August 9th, 2008 at 12:55 am
A great book is “It’s all too much” by Peter Walsh (TLC’s Clean Sweep, Oprah, etc). His basic premise is to free yourself of the clutter and that if you have things that are heirlooms or precious they should be displayed and honored; and not buried with junk.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:06 am
[...] 4. RemodelingThisLife presents Less is More [...]
August 9th, 2008 at 11:57 am
This kind of goes along with your “Wanting” post as well. I think it’s kind of important to pin down exactly what it is you want and figure out the best way to go about getting it - as opposed to accumulating a bunch of things that you think might satisfy that want. You’ll end up with a lot more than you really need. It’s like how if what you are really craving is a cookie, don’t eat 20 other seemingly healthy things in order to rid yourself of that craving. Have a little bit of cookie and be done with it!
Alisons last blog post..July Wrap-Up
August 9th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
@ Alison - I love when my commentors can sum up perfectly in just a few lines what takes me all day to write in my babbling way. I love the cookie analogy!
August 10th, 2008 at 7:51 am
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August 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am
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