Are you suffering from STUFFOCATION?
STOP BUYING AND START LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST
We’re all guilty of it – filling our homes with junk we don’t need or use. Research shows 88 per cent of Aussies have a least one cluttered room, with four in 10 people feeling anxious or guilty about it. Sound familiar? You’re suffering from ‘stuffocation’, which means you’re allowing material objects to stand in the way of living a happier life.
“For a long time, how much stuff we owned was really important, and life and experience was pushed to the side,” says James Wallman, author of Stuffocation: Living More With Less. “Now it’s about clearing out the clutter and focusing on living and doing instead.” Follow these steps to curb the urge to consume.
KNOW YOUR STUFF
“The message of stuffocation isn’t anti-stuff, it’s anti too much stuff,” explains James. To work out what qualifies as “too much”, James suggests asking yourself how much do you really need and whether these things make you happy, or if they bring debt and stress.
To clear some clutter, start by putting items you haven’t used in a while in a bin bag or a separate room and only retrieve them if and when needed. Give yourself a time frame, then get rid of any items that have been untouched. When it comes to your wardrobe, de-stuffocate by facing all your coathangers the
same way. When you wear something, put it back with the hanger facing the other way. By the end of the month you’ll know exactly how much of your wardrobe you actually wear.
SPEND WISELY
According to James, it’s not just money we’re wasting. “People waste energy worrying whether their stuff is as good as their neighbours’, so they’re constantly striving to buy more and have more,” he explains. “When they finally get these things they don’t feel better, they’re exhausted.”
Look to sustainable spending, where you’re not stretching yourself beyond your means. Be content knowing you have a computer rather than needing to upgrade to the latest model. Above all, spend wisely when you do need to buy.
EXPERIENCE IT ALL
While treating yourself to a new dress will certainly give you a rush, ask yourself how long that happiness will last?
“We’ve spent years collecting things but the truth is, more stuff won’t make you happy, it will actually bring you stress trying to stay on top and maintain it all,” says James.
The solution, he says, is experientialism. “Instead of looking for more stuff to show off our status, we should find happiness, identity and meaning in experiences. [Decide] to actively choose an experience over a material item. Feel, do and see instead of buying.”
DO IT FOR YOU
Going on a bushwalk or taking up an art class can be a truly wonderful experience, but James has a word of caution when it comes to telling the world about your new hobbies. With social media at your fingertips it’s tempting to post a photo of your achievements. While James says it’s OK to let others know what you’re up to, sharing your news shouldn’t be your first priority.
“Put down your phone for a moment and make sure you’re doing this for you and not for others. Your motivation behind your experiences should be about self-growth not for approval or admiration.”
SEEK CONNECTIONS
“Humans are social animals. We like to feel like we belong,” explains James. “Sadly, materialism killed community, so we’re constantly searching for belonging.”
While searching for new experiences, try to involve others. Seek out your neighbour for a stroll or join the local choir. “Sharing experiences are more likely to bring us closer to other people,” says James.