Well-made, purposefully chosen, useful things are at the heart of the minimalist movement, which ties in well with the green movement.
Living minimally is about:
- clearing out what’s holding you back
- appreciating the things you’ve chosen to keep
- only choosing to buy things you really need
Why live minimally?
Buying less, but better quality, helps the Earth’s resources go further and reduces transport and manufacturing emissions. In the long run, it should also save money too.
Simply having less “stuff” frees up space, so there is room to do the things that are more important to us – like having people over, a place to enjoy a hobby, space to work from home, or simply a quiet area to ourselves.
How to use green motivation to overcome your hoarding instinct
Moving towards minimalism can be challenging for some of us.
Maybe we hang on to things because:
- we might need them again one day
- money has been tight in the past, or is tight now
- we don’t want to waste money buying a replacement
- we don’t want to waste resources buying something a second time
- we hoard things we wish we had time to do, e.g. hobbies we want to take up, or that we used to enjoy
- we hoard things because of the memories they hold
- we haven’t got time to get rid of them in a sustainable way
I’m guilty of literally all of those things.
Here’s how to fight those thoughts that hold us back.
“I might need it again one day”
Well, someone else needs it right now. Give it to them via Freegle or Freecycle, sell it on eBay, donate it to a “Library of Things” or a charity shop. If you ever find yourself needing it again, ask on the same sites, or borrow it from a friend or a Library of Things.
“I don’t want to waste money on a replacement” or “I’m worried I won’t be able to afford a replacement”
This one is particularly hard if money is scarce, or has been scarce in the past.
Ask yourself how many times you’ve used the object in the last five years, and how many of them you own, before deciding whether or not to part with it. For example, I had five inflatable mattresses from the days when my children often had sleepovers. They used to be essential, but they aren’t any more. Someone else will enjoy them more now.
“I don’t want to waste resources buying something a second time”
Someone else needs it right now, and resources are already being used to make theirs.
Maybe you’ll never need it again anyway, and if you do, you might be able to get it second-hand. If you really don’t want to let it go, you could loan it to a “Library of Things”.
Remember, if you have to buy it again in the future, the total amount of resources used is no worse than if “someone else” had bought it now. And by the time you need it again, there may be a more environmentally-friendly alternative available.
“I’m saving it for when I have time to use it”
If you can see that time is coming soon, by all means keep it, and enjoy it when the time comes.
But if you can’t see yourself having time in the future, it’s time to ask yourself some questions about your priorities. Maybe that new hobby isn’t that important to you after all? If so, give the kit away or sell it.
Or maybe it is important to you, but you have too many responsibilities. Ask for help, or resign from community roles that aren’t so important to you any more. Remember, everyone deserves a break.
“I’m keeping it because it reminds me of…”
I’m certainly not going to encourage you to get rid of something that means a lot to you.
But consider whether a photograph of the object might hold the memory for you just as well, or whether the object could be turned into something more useful or decorative? For example, have a blanket or cushion made from meaningful fabric; a piece of art made from special greetings cards; or display photos of children’s artwork shuffled on a screensaver, instead of hidden away in boxes where you never see them.
“I haven’t got time to get rid of them in a sustainable way”
You don’t have to do it all at once. Try choosing one thing a day, and put it in a box labelled “charity shop”, “Vinted”, “recycling centre” or “metal for the scrap yard” (or wherever you want it to go). If it helps, keep a list of what you’ve got rid of so you can see your progress. If you feel in the mood, do a whole area (like a drawer, or a Difficult Box). Don’t expect to ever find the time to do a Whole Room in one go. That won’t happen.
Ask other people to help. Maybe your partner doesn’t feel qualified to decide what stays or goes, but they’d be happy to take your sorted boxes to their destinations. Tech-savvy and responsible teens could do a great job of selling your stuff on Vinted or Depop. Your mum or friend might take a bag to the charity shop next time they go to town.
Put things on your local Facebook free stuff groups. For very little of your own effort, people will come and take things away.
Always remember why you’re doing it, and it will become easier as you get rid of things and start to see progress.
Good luck!