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Ever feel like you have too much stuff?

3K views 35 replies 29 participants last post by  triplestrength 
#1 ·
This could be a thread about how our material possessions must make us appear gluttonous and obscenely wealthy to the average desert nomad, but it's not. I do think about this once in a while, but mostly I just feel sometimes like having lots of stuff kind of weighs me down, like a figurative ball-and-chain.

The thing is, I like my stuff, but sometimes I look back with nostalgia to the day I moved out of my mother's house at 18-years old, and I fit everything I owned into my Fiat. Of course, as soon as I moved into my apartment, I realized I needed dishes, a mop, a toaster, etc., etc... However, I felt like I had everything I needed (until I got my Triumph, but that's another story).

I look around my house sometimes and, as a mind experiment I imagine what I could let go of if I lived on a sailboat, or in a motorhome, or even a campground. It's not easy. If I really give it some serious thought, I can arrive at a set of criteria to test whether I really "need" something or not: Do I use it? Will I use it? Does it have sentimental value? Would the sentiment be enough without the thing that represents it? Would I miss it if I didn't have it? Does it improve my quality of life? What does stuff even have to do with quality of life? Etc...

I've known a few people who have done these exact things; they sold their homes and sold or gave away absolutely everything they owned to live simply—one couple from a 3-story Victorian house to a sailboat. If it didn't fit on the boat, they didn't need it.

Right now, I'm looking at the USB hub on my desk that looks like a Triumph 650 engine and makes an engine sound when you crank the little kick-starter. You've probably seen one of these. Well, I have one. It's amusing, but I don't need the stupid thing, and it just sits there. That is just one of literally thousands of things I have that range from objets-d'art to furniture to tools to books and CDs, to gadgets, and on and on...

Do you ever feel like you're piled up with more possessions than you need? Do you sometimes crave a simpler existence? Do you already live simply and wouldn't have it any other way? I know some of you will answer that you like your stuff and want more, which I'm not being critical of. I'm just wondering who else besides me sometimes feels like whittling down, and to what extent. Where would you draw the line between keeping and jettisoning something?
 
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#2 ·
Way too many things. I agree it is tough. For example, I don't "need" four helmets, five motorcycle jackets, 5 pairs of gloves, etc but I don't want to get rid of any of them for some reason. I have four adjustable wrenches that are the same exact size hanging on my tool wall? Who needs four? Maybe two at a time at the most. I noticed yesterday that I have 3 leaf rakes. I am the only one that rakes, and the rest are just in the way, really. When it comes to our little girls toys, I could really get going. They could have 1/10 the stuff they have all over the house and they would still have too much stuff.

A simpler existence would be great, but I feel it would be to difficult a task to accomplish voluntarily. For me, I would really have to live somewhere truly off the grid to be able to leave all the modern conveniences behind. Sad but true.
 
#3 ·
I often think about whether I could live simpler. I'm on the fence as to whether I could or not. I have an extensive music collection, so that would stay. Then there are my drums, bikes and cars and they would stay. Other than that, I really don't have much more stuff.
 
#4 ·
Personally, I strive to live a simple, comfortable life. The examination of "wants" and "needs" can take some time at first, but I have tried to make it a habit. Our household tries to abide by a "one in- one out" rule whereby whenever something new is introduced, something old will go out.
We have an older tv (not a flat screen) that works just fine. When our old DVD player couldn't be repaired (by me with my very limited skills), it was replaced with a similar unit (but not a 3D, blu-ray).
We have no x-box or other game system, but instead keep the kids entertained with board games, trips to the park (or desert) and limited, supervised computer use.
My lawnmower is a 1962 Briggs & Stratton which I keep maintained and will start on two pulls.
We have but two magazine subscriptions and endeavor to recycle as much as possible.
I get a little put off by the conspicuous consumption I see going on at the stores with the "bigger is better" attitude of the shoppers.
I would still like to have less material things around me, but yield to the happiness and wishes of my family.
I'm probably a bit of an anomaly compared to my contemporaries, but find in general I'm better off without all of the payments required to "keep up".
Sort of my own version of "Go your own way"
 
#5 ·
Thought I would simplify my life about 20 years ago and get rid of whatever material possessions that were not needed.
After going through everything I could not find a valid reason for disposing of any of it, wasted time and effort.
I'm sure my daughter will have no such compunctions when it comes time to sort my sh*t out.:rolleyes:
 
#6 ·
I have had these thoughts and have eliminated some items that I have to pare down my existence but still sometimes live by the motto "you only live once"!

It is interesting that this was brought up on a motorcycle forum. No one actually NEEDS a motorcycle (unless it is the only mode of transportation) much less two that a lot of us have...;)
 
#7 ·
Photography may serve a purpose here. Photograph a pile of sentimental stuff so you remain in touch with the memory and then toss it. I divvied my garage into essential and chuckable one afternoon - and then chucked. The relief was like getting a piggy-backer off your back. Too much stuff does weigh you down.
 
#10 ·
I tend to buy things I might need later, generally it's been reduced which attracted me in the first place. I have a few items which I yet haven't taken out of their packaging.


...however one day I might need to use it, then comes the problem of remembering I bought it in the first place and where I put it.
 
#11 ·
I like the photographing idea. Stuff itself is meaningless, and the memories, affections, accomplishments or whatever else was attached to something won't go away just because you no longer have the it.

I think it's important, though, that if you feel any doubts or potential regret about getting rid of something, then don't. Give it another look next time you purge. I moved an old trophy in and out of the same kind of keep/don't keep piles several times before I finally picked it up one day and it meant nothing to me anymore.

It's also good to check with family. I wish I had more of my father's things, for example. My mother kept very little of his things after he died because it hurt too much. I do have his pocket watch and a notebook of poetry he wrote, so obviously, those things will never go away, and I'll make sure they go to someone in the family after I die.
 
#12 ·
I lived and traveled on sailboats for 13 years and a long range ocean going trawler yacht for another 10. We couldn't have "stuff" because all of the available space was taken by supplies, spares and tools. The sailboats didn't have running water. The trawler had everything, including a 12 kw generator, 1200 mile range with 2 days of reserve fuel, refrig, small freezer, ac, everything. When we moved ashore in 1995, we couldn't imagine how we could ever fill the closets and rooms in our house. Laugh about that now. So, it is fairly simple to not buy stuff if there is no place to put it and all the storage is taken by stuff that you REALLY need. In the early 70s one of my best friends had a backpack and a BMW (But Mine Works) and that was it.
 
#13 ·
Yes Guy, there are some things that a photograph of will not suffice. My brother and I divvied up our grand father's firefighting equipment. He fought as a fire chief in London in the blitz. This is how he dressed.



I have his axe and his medals. His brass helmet is gone. A photo of these things would just not cut it. But they are the only things I would truly get upset about loosing.
 
#15 ·
Doxiedog, I've thought many times about living in a 5th wheel or trailer (a.k.a. caravan to some). Where do you keep it? Do you move around?

Boldor, that is an awesome photograph! And having his axe and medals is priceless.
 
#16 ·
I'm in a senior trailer park now. $375 per month all utilitys
[4 out of the 5 people here ride]
Outside of modesto
Before i lived down on the river,got flooded out!
had a boat tied out back,at the dock.
I move it when ever i get tired of the neighbors! :)
 
#18 ·
Wonder what it is that attracts aliens to Modesto, is it the scenic beauty of the area, did they locate a base station and a homing beacon 20 miles beneath the surface when they last visited 500,000 years ago and they are coming to retrieve their stuff?
Or could it be that the gentle folk of Modesto are inclined to use hallucinogenic substances that at times causes them to see things that don't really exist:confused:
 
#19 ·
Having too much "stuff" is defintely distracting, and can be overwhelming to a point of "progress paralysis".

That said, I'm as guilty as anyone else. For whatever Psychological or character fault reason, I cannot get rid of:

  • Old Motorcycle and Car magazines.
  • Books... any books.
  • Tools, whether they are worthless or great. For example, I have 6 old Bench Vises, but only one workbench. I buy this stuff at Estate Sales, from folks smarter then me who are finally getting rid of it!
  • Motorcycles parts. Even if they are broken and useless.
  • Car Parts. Even if they are broken and useless.
  • Any nuts, bolts, or fasteners. When I actually need any, I go out and buy new ones.
  • Blue Jeans. I think these actually disappear, as I've never deliberately thrown any away, but obviously they do go somewhere.
  • Tee Shirts. Same as above.
  • Music CD's, even ones that were a horrible mistake, and I only listened to once.
  • Paint cans - I have maybe 15 cans of house-paint on various shelves, each with maybe a cup of paint - probably dried up - inside.
Maybe if I spent less time writing lists like this, and more time organising and cleaning up...

Naaa, what's the fun in that!:rolleyes:

Bob
 
#20 ·
I need my dog... Grrrrr.




All I need from the BHO is this Merle Haggard autographed bar-stool...

and this paper napkin with some girl's fake phone number...

and this blank certificate from the Dog Institute of higher Stuff...

and this dirty pint glass with the chipped rim...

And that's ALL I need!
 
#21 ·
Ever since I was a kid my mom would tell me, "You need a 3 or 4 bedroom house with a basement and a garage just for yourself!" So I guess I have too much stuff. For those of you who saw pictures of my kitchen, you know I'm a collector. But, I don't currently have anything I WANT to part with. When I do I sell it or give it to someone who needs it. I'm not a hoarder.

Sure, most of us don't need everything we have. Many people who don't ride would tell us we don't need the motorcycles (unless it's your only transportation).

My mom told me I didn't need another bird, but Rowdy was lonely and depressed, and now she isn't.

I'm sure I don't need 6 guitars but I enjoy them and can manage to justify them.

I don't need to collect stoneware, other antiques and little motorcycle models, but I enjoy it.

I don't buy new stuff though until the old stuff breaks. I just got a flat screen TV last March for the first time. The older TV in the living room is still working just fine so I have no plans to replace that one until it isn't. I still have an old VCR, but it works and I have VHS movies so I keep it. I still have an old stereo with a turn table, but I also have 200 LPs so it has a use.
 
#25 ·
My name is SlowPocono and I have too much stuff.
 
#26 ·
I am a year away from retirement and we are in the process of reducing the amount of crap we have. The plan is to sell the house, get a smaller townhouse or condo and a big motorhome. Summer here and winter in Arizona or Mexico. We want to not have anything between us and life so all the junk (including the useful but not necessary stuff) has to go.
 
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