Psalm 37:16a – Less is more and more is less.

There were two items in the shopping cart: a carbon dioxide sensor and a can of spray paint. Well, and also our young granddaughter. As I wheeled the cart towards the check-out lines, the little person asked me if I was just buying two things. “That’s it?” she said.

“Yes, that’s it,” I said.

“Why don’t you buy more?” the little voice said.

Maybe she’s used to going grocery shopping with me, where, yes, we do fill up the cart because I’m one of those people that grocery shops every few weeks.

But at this moment, I realized what we do is important. We just never know who might be watching and witnessing the choices we make.

As we continued towards the check-out lines, I explained how I try to buy just what we really need. We have plenty at home and can enjoy these things more than new things.

What I didn’t tell her is that there are times when I wished I had followed this advice more closely.

For the last few years, I have slowly gone through this process of having less. I’m not sure I qualify as a minimalist. Yet, I have been diligent about reducing the amount of “stuff” in my life. This little Menard’s conversation pointed out to me that I have changed. What I do today is different. And my life is better because of this. How? Here are eight ways.

Eight Ways Having Less Feels Like I Have More

1. I own less.
I’m not sure exactly how much I have gotten rid of but I am quite sure that I have at least one-third less than I did a few years ago. The percentage isn’t what is important. It’s intentionally wanting to have less and then making it happen.

My reduction didn’t happen overnight. It took a period of time. Hubby Rick and I moved about 22 months ago. When we moved, I made an intentional huge reduction. It was a great time to reduce and move less.

Looking around my house today, I still have plenty of things. Yet, I am more vigilant about what comes in and goes out of our house. When I discover another way that I can eliminate more, I get excited. Every time a box or bag of things leave, I feel lighter. Seriously.

2. I live in a smaller house.

In January 2022, Hubby Rick and I moved. When we were house shopping, we were very intentional about wanting a smaller house. Our current house is about one-third smaller than our previous one.

With a smaller house comes less storage and a smaller footprint. As I packed, I challenged myself to get rid of 25-30% of my belongings. And I did. There are only two things that I let go of that I wished I had moved. Two things. Of all the hundreds of things I got rid of, I would only like two of them back.

As we got settled into our new-to-us home, I got rid of more because I didn’t have enough space for what I moved. A smaller house forced me to be specific about what I kept. And I am grateful for this.

While you may not have any intentions to move, you can reduce what you have. Not every drawer or closet has to be full. Only keep things you really love.

3. Maintaining our home takes less time.
Yes, a smaller house helps. Fewer things also means fewer things to maintain, keep track of and remember where you put them.

I want to be able to find something in just a few minutes. If I can’t, then I need fewer things or a different organizational system. I appreciate having more time for what I enjoy rather than spending more time cleaning. An overflowing closet full of unused stuff helps no one. Especially you.

4. I see the world differently.
When I travel, I no longer spend time thinking about what souvenir I want to take home. I concentrate on enjoying the wonderful experiences I am having and taking a few pictures. I appreciate cultures where less truly is more. To me, a good meal, a meaningful conversation and seeing the world from a new set of lenses is deeply gratifying.

5. I am more thoughtful of what I give and share with others.
Do I still give gifts? Yes. Yet, I am more thoughtful. I don’t want to wander up and down the aisles trying to find SOMETHING. Instead, I want the item to reflect who the person is. I am a fan of consumables. Or sharing a used item that is meaningful to them. Recycling and upcycling are perfectly acceptable.

6. We changed our financial goals.
When you shop less, you spend less. When you have fewer things, maintenance costs go down. For many years, we curbed our spending so we would have more assets going into retirement. And it worked.

I am all in favor of living life and saving for a rainy day. We are generous in our giving because we have been blessed. Prioritizing these financial goals has allowed me to have flexibility with work. Make choices that reflect my priorities. This makes me more content.

7. I appreciate the different seasons of my life.
What items were important to me 20 years ago may not be the same today. These days, I release those things that no longer serve me and pray someone else will find benefit and joy out of them. On the flipside, there are other things that are more meaningful to me now and I hang onto them. (Yes, I’m looking at you, my lovely books.) Just because I enjoyed or liked or loved it once doesn’t mean I am married to it forever. No, Hubby Rick doesn’t get traded in. But some other things have.

8. I contribute to God’s Kingdom differently.
If I have something that someone else really needs, I let it go. If I have the opportunity to bless someone with a resource available to me, I pray that I do. God puts before me opportunities to use my resources to bless others. And I pray that I do. Contributing to God’s Kingdom happens many different ways. I pray that I am willing to explore many of them.

I’m still on this journey of less is more. It’s one I happily embrace because it allows me to feel free. If this freedom is something you’d like to experience, I encourage you to begin. Today. In one small way. See how having less can actually bring more meaning to your life. You might be surprised how this can benefit you.

For finding freedom in having less, I am very grateful.

Blessings –
Dianne

Loving God – Thank you for the help in learning that less really is more when it comes to stuff. Continue to encourage and challenge me to find freedom in having less so I can have more of the good stuff You want in my life. Amen.

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith) or on Instagram (diannedeatonvielhuber.)

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