Drowning in stuff
We live in a time where having more is often seen as a sign of success. The commercials, the store displays, the endless online ads. All telling us the same thing…”if you just buy this, you’ll be happier.” And at first, it works. A new shirt makes us feel fresh, gets us compliments. Getting a new phone makes you feel more liked, kept up with the new technology. A shiny piece of décor makes our home look nicer. But the feeling never lasts.
Before we know it, the new thing becomes just another thing. It gets tossed in a drawer, shoved in a closet, or left on a shelf to collect dust. But we don’t stop. We keep buying. And slowly, without realizing it, we start drowning in stuff. Our closets can barely close. Our drawers are crammed so tightly that opening them is a struggle. The garage, once meant for the car, turns into a storage room filled with boxed of things we forgot we owned. We tell ourselves we might need them “someday,” but most of the time, that day never comes.
The problem isn’t just the space our stuff takes up, it’s the way it takes over our minds. Clutter is loud. It makes our homes feel messy and our thoughts feel scattered. It steal our energy because every pile, every overstuffed corner, is a silent reminder of unfinished decisions. Do I keep this? Do I throw it out? Should I sell it? Should I store it? These small choices pile up like the things themselves, leaving us mentally exhausted.
Overconsumption isn’t just buying too much, it’s falling for the idea that happiness comes from the next purchase. It’s believing that the missing piece in our lives is something we can find at the store. But the truth is, what we’re really looking for isn’t more stuff. It’s more space. More peace. More freedom from the constant need to have the “next” thing.
When we start to let go of the extra, we create room for what really matters. A clean countertop where we can actually cook. A closet with clothes we truly love and wear. A living room that feels open and calm. The air feels lighter when our surroundings aren’t weighed down. We don’t live buried under our belongings. We can choose a different way. A way where our homes are filled only with what adds value to our lives. A way where our money goes towards experiences, memories, and moments instead of endless piles of objects that once brought you a sliver of joy. Because in the end, the joy we keep chasing isn’t hiding in another shopping bag. It’s found in the freedom of a life that feels light enough to live.
