We get this wonderful buzz when we go to the store and buy something new! It encourages us to buy more stuff.

Our possessions pile up and then we become stressed as a result. It's the sad reality of owning things.

Many people get so overwhelmed when they try to address the problem; It's overpowering. It's so easy to go out and get new things; They are cheap. And Easy to buy. Online shopping has made it easy to just hoard more items into your home. Order everything online and have it shipped to your door.

At what point does this all stop?

We always complain we don't have enough money; We can't go on vacation. As soon as the next electronic comes out, We buy it. Instead of savings we have mountains of clutter.

Back in simpler times, People didn't own as much, Before the industrial revolution things were super expensive. People couldn't afford to own a bunch of clothes or shoes. Now that things are cheaper to make, Even the middle class can have a ridiculous amount of items.

• The average American house contains 300,000 items. (Source: LA Times)

Because of our stuff, We have upgraded our homes. Instead of a small house being suitable for multiple people, It's hardly suitable for one person.

Most people have a garage full of stuff! Do you need to keep that stuff if it's collecting dust in the garage?

If you haven't used it in the last couple months, You probably won't ever use it. It's time to get rid of it.

It's Bad For Our Health

This isn't just bad for our health; Our brains are already overloaded with work life, Relationship life, And now our clutter. You stress a lot more because of the unnecessary stuff you own. If you remove stuff, You remove stress.
Also in some cases that extra dust and dirt are floating around can't be good for you to breathe in. If you have excessive amounts, You could trip, Fall and get hurt. All because they had a sale at some store.

Hate cleaning? Own less stuff, You'll get to the point you don't have to clean anymore, Other than the dusting and disinfecting.
Because you'll own so little, There won't be anything left to clean.

Should I be a minimalist?

While being a minimalist is an excellent way to be in life. It's not for everyone. Some people have taken the 100 item challenge and have dropped the stuff they own to that little. For some of us, That's too far.
But we need to be more thankful for what we have, And make sure we are using and enjoying the items we own. Hopefully, with time, Everyone can get themselves to a nice low point of possessions.

You have to decide the perfect balance for you! How much can you and your family have reasonably and not have a cluttered house and life?
You don't need to have some item rule, But keep an eye on your stuff. What is that item that is always forgotten? Getting rid of it and giving it to someone else. Is the better option! Imagine that you donating it, Means that someone's new favorite item is what you gave them? I know that's happened to me many times. I've purchased items from the second-hand store that quickly became my most favorite items I've ever owned! That person giving up that item made me incredibly happy.

Online Makes it Easy

You can own a lot these days, And have most of your possessions on the computer. You can have "digital Versions" of games, Books, music Etc.
It's amazing that we still seem to collect more and more junk!

Does stuff make us happy?

I know from experience. A couple of years ago I was so addicted to online shopping. I spent thousands of dollars. Hoping that the extra stuff would make me happy in life. It never did, though. I was more miserable then ever before.
I also knew that something needed to change.

• What is the point of living if I'm not happy? Stuff Isn't making me happy!? Then What will?

This is a question I wondered a lot. Until I realized something. Going out on a date with my boyfriend, Whether it was at the movies, The aquarium or another place, Made me so happy! That happiness lasted for quite some time after the experience happened and I didn't bring home any new possessions. Plus in the process, I learned new things and had great stories to tell later on.

That's when I realized all my online shopping didn't make me happy, and I could use that money for great experiences instead. After my boyfriend took me on my first ever vacation to Pheonix Arizona. I was hooked! Seeing another place is fantastic. I even enjoyed going for long walks in the morning just "looking" at the different houses, the different parks that I wasn't so familiar with!

That's when I decluttered.

Stuff Should be used to "enhance" your life, Not be the sole purpose of your happiness.

Thank you pixabay for the photos.