3323: 10 Ways to Own Less by Courtney Carver of Be More With Less on Project 333 & Minimalism

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: It's a Minimalist Monday edition of Optimal Living Daily.

[00:00:04] [SPEAKER_00]: 10 Ways to Own Less by Courtney Carver of BeMoreWithLess.com and I'm Justin Malik.

[00:00:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Happy Monday!

[00:00:11] [SPEAKER_00]: This is where I read to you from some of the best blogs and articles I can find, and

[00:00:16] [SPEAKER_00]: get permission from, of course, covering personal development, minimalism, happiness,

[00:00:21] [SPEAKER_00]: and productivity on this show.

[00:00:23] [SPEAKER_00]: But we cover a bunch of other topics in the Optimal Living Daily podcast network.

[00:00:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Definitely check out those shows if you like this one.

[00:00:30] [SPEAKER_00]: You can search for Optimal Living Daily and all of them should pop right up.

[00:00:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Now let's get right to our Minimalist Monday post and start optimizing your life.

[00:00:43] [SPEAKER_00]: 10 Ways to Own Less by Courtney Carver of BeMoreWithLess.com

[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: You may own your stuff, but it owns you right back.

[00:00:53] [SPEAKER_00]: It owns your money, your time, your attention, and space in your home.

[00:00:59] [SPEAKER_00]: I dress with 33 items or less and have lived with fewer than 100 personal items, but

[00:01:05] [SPEAKER_00]: don't believe owning less than a specific number of things will make you happier or

[00:01:10] [SPEAKER_00]: make your life better.

[00:01:12] [SPEAKER_00]: The number is not important.

[00:01:15] [SPEAKER_00]: It is important, however, to understand the impact of things you buy, own, and

[00:01:20] [SPEAKER_00]: take care of.

[00:01:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Owning something might be a complete waste of money and time, or it might bring joy

[00:01:26] [SPEAKER_00]: and value to your life.

[00:01:27] [SPEAKER_00]: I own a laptop and it allows me to work from anywhere and connect with people

[00:01:32] [SPEAKER_00]: everywhere.

[00:01:33] [SPEAKER_00]: That equals joy and value.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: I also own beautiful art that hangs on my walls.

[00:01:39] [SPEAKER_00]: It's not necessary, but it makes me smile.

[00:01:43] [SPEAKER_00]: That equals joy and value.

[00:01:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Owning less allows me to fully appreciate the things I do have and it also reminds

[00:01:50] [SPEAKER_00]: me that I don't need much to be happy.

[00:01:54] [SPEAKER_00]: 10 Ways to Own Less.

[00:01:57] [SPEAKER_00]: 1.

[00:01:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Sell Your Stuff.

[00:02:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Have a yard sale or list the stuff you don't use or appreciate on eBay or Craigslist.

[00:02:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Remember that all of these channels take time, so if you don't need the money

[00:02:09] [SPEAKER_00]: or selling the item isn't worth the time you have to invest, give it away.

[00:02:14] [SPEAKER_00]: 2.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Dump the Guilt.

[00:02:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Instead of feeling guilty for spending so much or holding on so long, remind

[00:02:22] [SPEAKER_00]: yourself that you have paid enough and let it go.

[00:02:25] [SPEAKER_00]: 3.

[00:02:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Practice One In, One Out.

[00:02:30] [SPEAKER_00]: To prevent clutter creep and really think about your purchases, commit to donating

[00:02:33] [SPEAKER_00]: one item for every item you bring home.

[00:02:37] [SPEAKER_00]: 4.

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Hide It.

[00:02:40] [SPEAKER_00]: If you aren't sure if you need or want something that you already own, hide it

[00:02:44] [SPEAKER_00]: in an unmarked box for 30 days.

[00:02:46] [SPEAKER_00]: If you don't remember what's in the box, give it away.

[00:02:50] [SPEAKER_00]: 5.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Ask Three Questions.

[00:02:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Joshua Becker invites you to ask three questions before making any purchase.

[00:02:58] [SPEAKER_00]: He has an article on his website that asks three questions for each category

[00:03:01] [SPEAKER_00]: before purchasing clothing, furniture, food and other items.

[00:03:07] [SPEAKER_00]: 6.

[00:03:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Experiment.

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: The number isn't important, but challenging yourself to live or dress

[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_00]: with a certain number of items gives you important information.

[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_00]: It can help you determine what's enough for you and also make time and space

[00:03:21] [SPEAKER_00]: for you to understand what you really want and need.

[00:03:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Choose one of these simplicity challenges to get started.

[00:03:28] [SPEAKER_00]: The minimalist game, where you find a friend or family member, someone who's

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: willing to get rid of some of their excess stuff.

[00:03:36] [SPEAKER_00]: This month, each of you must get rid of one thing on the first day of the month.

[00:03:40] [SPEAKER_00]: On the second, two things.

[00:03:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Three items on the third, and so forth and so on.

[00:03:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Anything can go.

[00:03:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Or the reverse 100 thing challenge.

[00:03:50] [SPEAKER_00]: The point of that 100 thing challenge is to live with 100 things.

[00:03:55] [SPEAKER_00]: The reverse 100 thing challenge invites you to dump 100 things.

[00:04:00] [SPEAKER_00]: If you've always thought that the 100 thing challenge is extreme

[00:04:03] [SPEAKER_00]: and that it would be impossible to only live with 100 things,

[00:04:07] [SPEAKER_00]: then giving away only 100 things should be a breeze.

[00:04:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Or Project 333.

[00:04:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Challenge yourself, along with thousands of people around the world,

[00:04:16] [SPEAKER_00]: to dress with 33 items or less for three months.

[00:04:21] [SPEAKER_00]: It may start in your closet, but dressing with less can change every area of your life.

[00:04:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Those buy one get one sales may have been too good to pass up,

[00:04:34] [SPEAKER_00]: but now you have two of everything and you aren't even sure if you need one anymore.

[00:04:39] [SPEAKER_00]: If it's too hard to let them both go, keep one and give the other away.

[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: You can also buy a new dress at the mall.

[00:04:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Shopping and spending may give you a momentary happiness boost,

[00:04:52] [SPEAKER_00]: but it doesn't last long.

[00:04:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Instead of looking for happiness out there, find it from the inside out.

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Give away your books and go to the library when you want to read something new.

[00:05:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Instead of shopping for new fashion, host a clothing swap.

[00:05:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Sell your car and use a car sharing service like Zipcar.

[00:05:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Trade your work.

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Colin Wright offers design services to restaurants or coffee shops

[00:05:18] [SPEAKER_00]: in exchange for food and coffee when he travels.

[00:05:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Every time I think something has a hold on me,

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_00]: I realize I'm the one with the tight grip.

[00:05:31] [SPEAKER_00]: The first step to letting go is loosening the grip.

[00:05:35] [SPEAKER_00]: When you think about the money you spent to purchase and protect what you own,

[00:05:38] [SPEAKER_00]: what you spend to maintain it, the time you spend cleaning it,

[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_00]: worrying about it or organizing it, and the energy it costs just to have it around,

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER_00]: you'll discover that letting go is easier.

[00:05:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Own what you want, but always remember, it owns you right back.

[00:06:00] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled

[00:06:02] [SPEAKER_00]: 10 Ways to Own Less by Courtney Carver of BeMoreTheLess.com

[00:06:06] [SPEAKER_00]: and I'll be right back with my commentary.

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you to Courtney.

[00:06:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Great tips here of things we can try, of course not all at once.

[00:06:15] [SPEAKER_00]: She mentioned that Joshua Becker has an article with three questions to ask for different categories,

[00:06:21] [SPEAKER_00]: so I immediately went to check that article out.

[00:06:23] [SPEAKER_00]: It's not the best to share here on this show because it wouldn't make for a great audio experience

[00:06:29] [SPEAKER_00]: if I simply read a ton of questions to you.

[00:06:31] [SPEAKER_00]: It'd be hard to remember the article and implement it into your daily life.

[00:06:35] [SPEAKER_00]: But I do want to give you a little taste of what those questions could look like.

[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_00]: So let's go with the category of food because obviously we all buy food very frequently,

[00:06:46] [SPEAKER_00]: whereas some of us buy clothing or electronics very rarely.

[00:06:51] [SPEAKER_00]: So for the category of food, his three questions are

[00:06:54] [SPEAKER_00]: number one, will this food add fuel to my life,

[00:06:58] [SPEAKER_00]: which is sort of a way to ask yourself if it's actually a good healthy choice.

[00:07:03] [SPEAKER_00]: The second question is, are my food decisions contributing to my financial stress?

[00:07:10] [SPEAKER_00]: So a different angle here looking at the cost.

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_00]: And then the third question, who am I supporting with this purchase?

[00:07:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Also another different angle where we're looking at if we're supporting our local economy.

[00:07:23] [SPEAKER_00]: So it's an interesting post worth checking out.

[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_00]: You can Google three questions to ask before making any purchase

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER_00]: and find the full article at becomingminimalist.com.

[00:07:32] [SPEAKER_00]: But that should do it for today.

[00:07:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Have a great rest of your day and start to your week,

[00:07:36] [SPEAKER_00]: and I'll be back tomorrow reading to you where your optimal life awaits.