I’ve always been aware that excess clutter and having too many possessions takes a toll on my mental well-being. While I may not excel at keeping my house spotless—after all, a little dust doesn’t bother me much—I find clutter to be truly overwhelming. It triggers a visceral reaction in me. Watching shows like Tidying Up with Marie Kondo can even make me feel physically uneasy, as the chaotic “before” spaces leave me gasping for air.
It doesn’t take much to ignite my anxiety; even a few stray socks or misplaced shoes can send me into a frenzy. I’ll be going about my day, but then the sight of a few dirty glasses in the living room or a couple of outdated magazines scattered on the dining table sends me spiraling. Even an abundance of what I consider “good” items—whether it’s a closet overflowing with clothes or a house filled with furniture—can feel suffocating.
I’ve known for a while that I need to declutter regularly. I don’t accumulate trinkets or keep items out of nostalgia; in fact, I tossed my own high school yearbooks ages ago. I avoid shopping unless absolutely necessary, striving to live a somewhat minimalist lifestyle, though I admit I still enjoy a new pair of summer sandals or trendy sunglasses.
Recently, however, I’ve come to realize how this obsession with “stuff” can negatively affect my children. We exist in a society that pushes us to keep up with the Joneses. As parents, we often feel compelled to provide our kids with the best opportunities possible. This usually translates to living in the most impressive house we can afford, enrolling them in numerous extracurricular activities, and ensuring they have the latest gadgets and fashionable clothes.
We are conditioned to believe that bigger is better, and that more is always preferable. But let’s be honest: this mentality is exhausting and unhealthy. So, I’ve opted out of that race. But when it comes to my kids, it’s a different story. I manage to limit my own belongings, yet children tend to attract stuff, often exhibiting hoarder-like tendencies.
Moreover, today’s kids are raised in an age of instant gratification. They can binge-watch shows without commercials on platforms like Netflix, order anything they desire with a single click, and thanks to services like Amazon Prime, it arrives at their doorstep the very next day. They have devices to entertain them, preventing even the faintest hint of boredom.
My children might not exhibit my passion for decluttering, as they constantly plead for more Pokémon cards, yet perhaps it’s crucial for them to experience minimalism. Just because they appear unfazed by clutter doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect them negatively. As psychologist Dr. Emily Foster notes in Psychology Today, clutter can overwhelm our senses, causing undue stress even when we’re not consciously aware of it.
Children are already bombarded with stimuli—from hectic school days to jam-packed schedules filled with lessons and sports. Why add to their mental load with unnecessary distractions? Furthermore, our culture’s obsession with “more” is harming the planet. Since 1950, we’ve produced around 8.3 billion tons of plastic, with a significant portion ending up in landfills and oceans. While only 3% of the world’s children reside in the U.S., they own 40% of the toys. Alarmingly, Americans own three times as many clothes as we did in 1930, while the average person discards 65 pounds of clothing annually.
This quest for more isn’t just damaging our environment; it’s detrimental to our health. Americans are working longer hours, taking fewer vacations, and delaying retirement. Experts agree that many are overworked and stressed. If we don’t teach our kids to step off the endless cycle of “bigger, better, newer,” how can we expect to create a healthier future?
I recognize that my children are fortunate, enjoying security, meals, and access to technology. Yet, I am aware they often take these privileges for granted. They frequently express a need for more possessions and complain about waiting for deliveries. At times, they seem downright spoiled.
Despite my aversion to clutter, I face challenges in this area too. When my son started asking for new shirts, my instinct was to indulge him with late-night online shopping. However, just because we could afford it doesn’t mean it was the right choice. Instead, I’ve had to engage in difficult discussions with him about making do with what we already have.
It all starts with us as parents. Just because we can afford to upgrade our car or buy the latest gadgets for our kids doesn’t mean we should. I’m making an effort to extend my minimalist approach to my children and our family as a whole. We are currently participating in a 30-day decluttering challenge, where we give away one item on day one, two items on day two, and so forth. We’re on day twelve, and it’s proving to be quite challenging.
More importantly, it’s about refraining from making unnecessary purchases in the first place. Change doesn’t have to be monumental; small adjustments can make a significant difference. For our family, that means fixing our aging minivan instead of trading it for a newer model, having our kids share a room to limit their belongings, utilizing local buy-nothing groups to exchange items, and prioritizing experiences over possessions. It also means discussing purchases with our children to instill a sense of value.
These challenges are complex, and everyone must find their own comfort level. My perspective may lean more towards minimalism due to my dislike for clutter and the bigger-is-better mentality, while others may have different approaches. Ultimately, it’s clear: when it comes to excess belongings, less is indeed more.
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Summary:
The obsession with keeping up with societal standards regarding material possessions is detrimental to both children and the environment. As parents, it’s essential to model a mindful approach to belongings and consumption, focusing on experiences rather than excess.
Keyphrase: ‘keeping up with the Joneses’
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