The More of Less: Stuff, Clutter, and Stress

We live in a world that tells us more is always better. More clothes, more gadgets, more furniture, more bins to hold the things we don’t use but still can’t let go of. At first, it feels like more might make life easier, fuller, or even happier. But what if “more” is actually the very thing weighing us down?

Because here’s the truth: the more we own, the more it owns us.

Every item in our home isn’t just taking up physical space. Each item quietly demanding our attention. That sweater we never wear nags us every time we open the closet. The piles on the counter whisper reminders that we’re behind. The basement storage  packed with “just in case” items makes it harder to breathe when we walk through.

And slowly, without realizing it, clutter stops being just stuff and it becomes stress.

Not a New Thought

The longing for less isn’t unique to our modern age. In fact, it’s ancient. As Kristin Neff, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Self-Compassion, reminds us:

“We can go back to ancient Chinese philosophy, which predates even Buddhism. There is a need for balance between simplicity and stillness and action.”

While the core yearning for tranquility has remained steady through time, the pressures feeding our condition have multiplied. We’re not just contending with food, shelter, and basic survival anymore. We’re juggling overstuffed calendars, endless notifications, and cultural messages that equate worth with what we own.

No wonder our homes (and hearts) feel stretched thin.

More Stuff = More Stress

• More things to clean.

• More decisions to make.

• More guilt for money spent.

• More time lost searching, sorting, and shuffling things around.

No wonder our shoulders feel heavy in our own homes.

The Freedom of Less

The gift of choosing “less” isn’t about living with nothing. It’s about making room for what matters most.

• Less stuff means more space to breathe.

• Less clutter means more clarity in our minds.

• Less stress means more presence with the people we love.

It’s not about deprivation. It’s about intention. When we clear out what doesn’t serve us, we create the margin we need to live lighter, calmer, and freer.

A Simple Step to Start

You don’t need to declutter your entire house in a weekend (in fact, please don’t try!). Just pick one spot. A drawer, a shelf or a box. Ask yourself: Does this add value to my life right now? If not, let it go.

Little by little, less becomes more.

Because at the end of the day, the “more” we’re chasing isn’t found in things. It’s found in peace, connection, and joy.

At Mindfully Minimized, we help families and individuals trade clutter for calm and create homes that support their best lives. If you’re ready to experience the “more of less,” We'd love to walk alongside you.