When Your Stuff Starts Owning You

Let’s be honest: we’ve all been there, standing in the middle of the kitchen, holding that random gadget we swore would change our life.

Maybe it was the avocado slicer that was going to make guac night so much easier. Or the stack of throw pillows that seemed essential for “seasonal decor rotation” (aka: couch clutter which I personal still like). Or the Costco-sized pack of something we’ve now had for three years because what were we thinking?

We collect, we store, we shuffle things from one closet to another and we tell ourselves it’s “being prepared.” But deep down, just like Joan Chittister shared in her book, “Between the Dark and the Daylight” “Security is a mirage.”

Yup. Turns out, no amount of bins, baskets, or extra toilet paper can give us the peace we’re after.

The Mirage of Security in Stuff

We buy because it feels like control. We keep it because it feels like safety. But let’s be real, owning more often means:

• More to clean (and resent).

• More to organize (again).

• More to trip over at 2 a.m.

• More to spend our hard earned dollars on.

  
  

If security truly came from possessions, the fullest houses would have the calmest people. But often, it’s the opposite—because “stuff security” is like a mirage in the desert: the closer we think we are to it, the more it slips away.

The Emptiness of Accumulation

Joan puts it perfectly: “The emptiness of accumulation… the poverty of plenty.”

Ever notice how a stuffed closet can still leave you feeling like you have “nothing to wear”? Or how a pantry jam-packed with food still has you staring in, waiting for dinner inspiration to magically appear?

That’s the poverty of plenty,we’ve got so much that we can’t even enjoy what’s there.

A Simpler, Happier Home

When we let go ,really let go, we make space for:

• Things we ACTUALLY use (without digging through ten that we don’t).

• Moments we ACTUALLY enjoy (instead of managing stuff).

• That deep exhale when a room finally feels calm.

A cleared countertop isn’t just “organized”; it’s an invitation to breathe. And maybe drink your coffee while it’s still hot.

Mindfully Minimized Truth

A home that’s light on stuff but heavy on meaning beats a home stuffed with “just in case” any day. Less to dust, less to manage, less to trip over, and more time to live.

Because at the end of the day, our peace comes from presence, not possessions. And your avocado slicer? You’ll survive without it. Promise. (or just hid it for a bit and see if anyone notices😊.)

If you need support getting started on declutter, Mindfully Minimized is her to help you clear the clutter so your home works for you, not the other way around. Let's make space for what matters most, just clink the button below to learn more.

CLICK HERE