How Less Got Me More Happiness

When I was younger in my career, I remember going to different people’s parties in mansions and thinking…

This is it!

This is what happiness looks like!

Happiness was being able to have all these nice things. The mansions, boats, and fancy cars. I thought to myself…

“All I have to do is work really hard and make a lot of money. Then I can buy all the things so I can be happy.”

Or would it?

After working really hard and making lots of money, I bought those luxurious possessions.

But much to my confusion, they didn’t make me happy.

Why?

Because those possessions didn’t align with my values. I thought happiness was attained through external means. But after attaining more money than I knew what to do with and a shopping addiction that followed, I realized happiness comes from the inside.

And the research is starting to back this up. It consistently shows that money, power, prestige, stuff, and status don’t lead to lasting happiness.

True happiness comes from knowing and living your values.

Happiness comes from releasing all the things you think you are supposed to do. The things that were programmed into you by your parents, teachers, and society. And uncovering what you want, what intrinsically motivates you. (Aka what gets you excited on the inside)

For me, that was realizing that I didn’t want the mansion filled with an abundance of things. I wanted a 200-square-foot tiny home surrounded by an abundance of nature.

When I got down to it, I realized I wanted less. Being a minimalist activated my core values.

In America, we live in a society where consumerism is #1. Everywhere you turn, there is an ad trying to sell you something. Saying, “hey, buy this and you’ll be happy.” Or even worse, “if you don't buy this, you'll be judged and miserable.”

Many experts believe that in a single day, we encounter more information than an individual from the 15th century would have experienced in their entire life. A significant portion of this is advertising, often designed to evoke emotions in us – from self-righteousness and outrage to joy, sorrow, or a sense of validation.

Advertisers' and marketers’ jobs are to sell and get you to buy things. They are very good at it, especially inducing the feeling of “I need that or else I'll be left behind” They use the same techniques that casinos use to get people to pull the slot wheel over and over again. One that Michael Easter coins in his book Scarcity Brain as a scarcity loop.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Americans annually expend $1.2 trillion on unnecessary items. Remarkably, the number of self-storage facilities in the United States surpasses the total number of McDonald's, Burger Kings, Starbucks, and Walmarts combined.

That is a lot of storage for stuff we don’t even use!

I fell into this trap for a while and had waaaaay too many things.

Sure, I would donate old items to charity but then I would notice how much I was donating that was still in their original boxes with the tags. It got me thinking…

Do I really need these things? What else could I be using that money for?

Now, minimalism is not about NOT having things or buying things. It’s about having things that YOU cherish and hold sacred.

And with a 200-square-foot home, you better believe every item in that house is something we love and appreciate!

We had to get organized. So, with it being National Organization Month, I wanted to share three realizations I have had since becoming a minimalist.

1. Minimalism reduces your stress: Picture this. You walk into your house after a long day at work and see stuff everywhere. Do you think that will make you feel calm or stressed? For most of us, that sure is going to cause some stress! In fact, a research article in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin revealed that people who characterized their homes as more organized and less cluttered reported reduced depressive feelings throughout the day. This suggests that maintaining a clutter-free and orderly home environment could play a role in fostering a better emotional well-being for yourself. I think about how cluttered my closet used to be. I used to have many different shirts, and when I went out, I would waste so much energy debating what to wear. Through minimalism, I have reduced my “decision fatigue” by only keeping clothes I love wearing. That way, when I reach for something in my closet, I know it will be something that works. ?
2. Minimalism saves you money: Costs for many things are increasing in America. You might have already made some shifts to accommodate the changes in our economy. When you adopt a minimalist mindset, that makes it a lot easier. It encourages you to be more mindful and conscious of your spending and consumption habits.? Halting impulsive purchases leads to more financial savings. It fosters a shift towards more deliberate financial decisions, focusing on investments that align with your values. As a minimalist, you don’t need to buy as many things and you also find more creative ways to get the stuff you need. Like the Buy Nothing New Movement. These are communities of people who support each other by giving away and receiving free things they don’t need anymore.? We have gotten so many things there that we would have bought new. From pots, pans, and dehumidifiers, to mason jars, all for free by simply asking if anyone had some to offload. With a core value of unity with nature - this hits home in a deeper way.? ?
3. Minimalism increases your freedom: “The more things you own, the more they own you.” - Chuck Palahniuk. Minimalism helps you break free from this feeling.? One study showed that individuals who previously felt "burdened," "trapped," or "tied down" by their belongings experienced a sense of "freedom" and escape from the unsatisfactory cycle of consumerism after embracing a minimalist way of life. I used to get overwhelmed thinking about everything I needed to “fit in.” ‘If I am going to be accepted by this group, then I need this.’ Minimalism has helped me realize that the only thing I need to “fit in” is whatever I need that aligns with my values and NOT what I think I need to impress others.

If you are intrigued and looking for a place to start. Check out the Minimalist Documentary or book. Or maybe you want to start going through your closets and donating items you don’t need anymore. Maybe next time you need something, join a Buy Nothing group and see if you can get it for free.

Now I realize that minimalism is not for everyone and that is okay.

What motivates you will be different than what motivates me.

Living in a 200-square-foot home in the mountains might seem crazy to many people. And you may want to live in a mansion with many nice things.

That is what is so remarkable about knowing and living your values.

Your values are your intrinsic motivators and are as unique as your fingertips.

When you know your values and what motivates you, you’ll learn to make decisions easily and gracefully.

You’ll know what brings you energy and what drains your energy.

You’ll have a compass to help you navigate life.

You’ll find your key to happiness.

Want a jumpstart? Check out our core values quiz for your unique profile.?

When you are ready, here are three ways we can help you.

Alignment Coaching: Want to make this the most joyful, stress-free holiday season to date? Excited but scared to set healthy boundaries to protect your energy??Work with MaryBeth 1x1 to align with your core values and ignite more well-being without compromising your impact. Fill out this inquiry form to see if we're a good fit for one another.

Knowing and Living Your Values: During MaryBeth's 10-day course, you’ll identify your unique values, see where you’re currently activating them, and make small tweaks where you’re not so that every day is filled with purpose. Join 7,000+ Students Here.

Hire MaryBeth as a Speaker: Have an all-staff event, annual meeting or conference coming up? MaryBeth will?inspire your audience to give themselves and others, permission to be human, unleashing higher productivity, profit and purpose through shared values. Learn more here.?