I’ve been reading Deepak Chopra’s “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.” He discusses the misplaced, extremely high value placed on material abundance as a universal marker of success. Moreover, he says, success is a journey and not a destination. It also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind as equally important measures of abundant life. 

It got me thinking about the things in my day-to-day life that I’ve mindlessly become reliant on for momentary excitement or pleasure over the years. Whether it has to do with my home, living habits, or preconceived notions about what social and traditional media dictates as necessary. The last two years forced me (and many others, I’m sure) to take a step back and re-evaluate what we really and truly need to bring us joy and contentment in our everyday lives.

THINGS I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO BE HAPPY BUT DON’T

The latest, trendiest, or newest of anything

Whether it’s the latest iPhone, fashion trend, or vehicle, the truth is I don’t need it. It’s OK to indulge and treat myself from time to time, but at the end of the day, there is no need to make unnecessary, expensive purchases to create consistent and long-term happiness. We are constantly marketed to via our social media feeds, where we spend most of our time. The tech geniuses behind Instagram and Facebook know precisely what they’re doing with the invention of the “doom scroll.” Within that doom scroll lies endless products that we are told we need but don’t.

Endless variety in my wardrobe.

I mean, who is paying that much attention to us anyway? The idea that the people around us notice or care about our outfit choices is a false perception. No one cares about us more than us. We are the only ones keeping track. 

The concept of not being photographed in repeating outfits is plaguing many young people today – Another reason why social media is toxic. But if men can freely wear the same five shirts repeatedly, why can’t women? I’ve since made capsule wardrobes my friend and shop in mostly neutrals so that I can mix and match them until the end of time!

Receiving gifts

Whether it’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or my birthday, I’ve erased the expectation that anyone has to get me anything to acknowledge the occasion. A thoughtful present from time to time is a beautiful gesture. However, the annual expectation that my nearest and dearest have to spend time and money finding the perfect gift is silly and will not continue. 

Pointless décor in my home

Too many throw pillows, art on every wall in every room, and stylish tiny chairs that no one will ever sit in – these are all things that mainly take up space and money. A minimalist approach to decorating my house has created physical and mental space and has helped define my real needs.

Buying things that we can rent.

Books, recreational vehicles, power tools (based on the men in my life), and sometimes even clothes, depending on the occasion. Renting these things can save you money and precious space in your home. 

Taking expensive vacations as a way to unwind.

If the pandemic taught me anything – there are many other ways to relax and recharge without hopping on a plane for an exotic vacation. And let’s be honest, travelling can be stressful in MANY ways. Flights with layovers, the pressure to see and do all the crucial things in the place you’re visiting, making sure you’re not getting ripped off by the locals, spending way too much money in a short amount of time. These can all take away from the intended peaceful experience. Not to mention the dread of packing it all up to get back to work in a few days. 

Sometimes, you need a relaxing staycation with a good book, a few homemade cocktails, your bed, your pets, and your favourite TV series to feel completely reset. 

If you feel the need to get a change of scene from your home, there are many less expensive ways to do that, such as local road trips or short hotel stays in your home city. 

Lots of storage space in my house

Realtors and landlords love to sell people storage space as a desired feature when showing homes. But the truth is too much storage space only creates an excuse to buy more stuff that we can hide away. 

A rule of thumb that works for me is picturing Moving Day from any home I live in. If sorting and clearing out all of the stuff in the various drawers, cupboards, underneath beds, crawl spaces, etc., makes me want to die inside, I know that I’ve got too much, and I should probably start decluttering ASAP. 

Shopping as a leisure experience

I’ve spoken about how not to impulse buy in a previous post. We’ve been conditioned to think that buying something can somehow fill an emotional void within us or temporarily distract us from a bad day, week, or month. It is tough to resist, especially with the ease of doing it online and delivering it straight to your front door.

The pandemic was mainly when many people turned to the dopamine hits provided by online shopping. Not saying it needs to stop entirely; perhaps just brought into awareness and monitored closely.

More than one similar (aka identical) type of beauty product.

It’s waaaaaay too expensive to cave in to every high-end product that every gorgeous YouTuber is promoting these days. According to research, businesses are making a solid return from influencer marketing. If you’re interested, this article has some facts.

I suggest taking the time to research your skincare and haircare needs and then do targeted shopping for a core line of products. This way, you can invest in the pricier ones if they work for you without the guilt.

For makeup, my entire collection is one that I can pack in a medium-sized makeup bag and take with me. This practice creates a defined boundary around how much I need.

To conclude…

So there are the nine things that I considered vital to my day-to-day life but turned out not to be. I can’t take credit for coming up with all of these changes myself – if it wasn’t for the pandemic, there is probably no way I would have had the downtime to re-evaluate how I live my life. Saving money and counter space is always a good idea.

Do some introspection about your own needs, which will help you stay immune to the high-pressure marketing tactics around every corner.

Let me know what you think about the article in the comments below. Are there things you thought you needed to be happy and content but don’t?

Follow us on Instagram for new blog post announcements and other daily posts on minimalism and living lightly. The link is in the top right of the navigation bar at the top of the page. 

You can also sign up for our mailing lists for our monthly newsletter with exclusive content. Form below.