Because I Own It

Yesterday, in the post titled Saving For A Rainy Day, I listed a reason why pack rats hold onto things. The mindset that 'I might need this' means people hold on a large quantity of stuff that they end up rarely using. I pointed out in the post that often people can replace those items at minimal cost if the need should arise.

Next on the list of excuses is the 'because I own it' idea. This is another reasoning mechanism that leads people to hold onto things which should be discarded. There are millions of closets full of items which have not been touched in years. Yet individuals continue to hold onto them as if their life depends upon it. This is another concept that I shed as I embarked upon the journey into minimalism.

Here is the simple truth: just because an item is paid for, that does not mean that you should hold onto it. This statement is accurate whether we are referring to minimal or a large expense. Whatever the cost, that money is spent. While one might not make that purchase today with the new minimalist outlook, the fact that he or she is holding onto something that is paid for is equally inane.

"Because I own it" is not a valid reason for keeping something. The only reason is "Because I use it". Items that sit idle in a closet are only taking up space. The value was lost the second you left the store. Recouping it can only occur by selling it. Besides, if you aren't using it, why not give it to someone who will.

Being a minimalist means that we only hold onto items that are definitely used. Anything else is just taking up valuable space and energy. If it falls into the later category, then it must go. This is another step in the process of taking back one's freedom.