Question: Does your stuff define you? A lot? Even just a little?
This topic has been on my mind recently. Sometimes we become too busy to notice that our stuff is making up a BIG part of who we are. While this may not be true for everyone or every situation, it is important to understand how and why if it is. Are we hoarding items in hopes that it will turn us into a certain person? Give us a certain change or look? A different lifestyle?
Do other people associate us directly with our stuff? For example, if we are obsessed with makeup and clothes and make it a major part of our lives that people start to only notice and make comments about our makeup looks, new products, etc…are they really seeing the depth behind you? The bigger question is who are you if all of the material items were to be taken from you in a snap?
Sometimes with the more we have, the harder it is to see who we are deep down inside. The more clutter surrounding us, the harder it is to focus on simply ourselves. We feel we must keep up with the latest and greatest…in the run putting our own health and emotions aside.
Your qualities and characteristics as a person are so much more. So remembering that kindness to others, how you treat yourself, and knowing yourself as a person are more important than ultimately your hobbies and stuff. YOU ARE ENOUGH without all of those physical possessions. Now I’m not saying it is bad to be into hobbies and have your own thing that you love doing, but I feel like many people nowadays are forgetting that and relying on having stuff to define who they are.
Food for thought.
– April
The Minimalist Taurus 
Yes, it’s so fulfilling to escape the mindset that your possessions define your identity and character! Thanks for sharing xx
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Definitely! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Hi April, great post! I think you ask a really important question about the relationship between us and our stuff. Do others see past the stuff? Or do we sometimes identify so strongly with the stuff that it becomes part of who we are? Not a pleasant thought! Thanks for such a thought-provoking post, Lxx
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Hi there, minimallol! Thank you. I feel many don’t think about it especially in today’s consumer-driven society…we may be blinded or even deny it. I definitely agree, it is a bit scary but better to understand oneself of their own worth and identity without “things.” Thanks for reading 🙂
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I appreciated this post! I have been thinking a lot about how much time I spend worrying about “stuff.” I think that is an important question to ask. How much stuff is good for each person is going to vary a bit for each individual, but if it is our sole focus (intentionally or not) then we might need to rethink our approach.
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Thanks Ashley! It is a good first approach to realizing how much time is spent, and then acting on it next 🙂 I also sometimes find myself thinking of what I want next, and feel it robs us of not only time and money, but also happiness. Definitely agree with that!
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Like this post. Good question to ask and unfortunately society as a whole does not ask this question. I feel that an underlying theme is that the better clothes, cars , house, etc makes you successful but does it really? Just because people have these things does not mean they are kind to others, although some can be. A lot of the problems today in society are caused by people comparing what others have or have not eg stuff and then if you fall short and dont have what others have you are seen as less, not good enough, have no value. Maybe this is not obvious but I am sure its an underlying theme and of course I could be completely wrong. Thanks for the sharing. Always good to read your posts.
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Thanks! Yes I agree, I feel that we also don’t ask because consumerism seems to be above us controlling what we want to buy next, making us feel incomplete without certain items, etc. That’s true, one can be rich but still feel so incomplete and even unsuccessful because they are not happy or healthy. Thanks again, means a lot 🙂
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“The bigger question is who are you if all of the material items were to be taken from you in a snap?” That is so scary! You gave me a lot to think about! Thanks!
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It is, it even scares me a little knowing that I don’t have much but falling into that trap of consuming and feeling robbed of my identity. No problem, thanks for reading 🙂
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i like this perspective. ive known full well what type of person id be if i lost all my stuff which is why although id like to keep what little i do have, i know i dont need it as much as i think i do. this is precisely the reason i started not keeping so much physical stuff in the first place. it definitely makes the room cleaner if nothing else.. lol
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Thanks. That’s the best kind of approach to have, knowing that if everything was taken from you, you’d have an identity that feels while without materialism 🙂 I agree about the household being much cleaner too!
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Thanks so much for the follow! I hope you enjoy my blog. Have a great day! ~Patricia
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Thank you! You too 🙂
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I feel that your writing brings a ray of hope and makes me believe that the world is not short of great empathetic people like you 🙂 . I am really happy to tell you that I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award. It would be great if you could be a part of this wonderful community, and have a look at this (https://gypsyintown.wordpress.com/2018/06/11/sunshine-blogger-award/) for more information. 😀
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Thank you for the nomination!
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I think minimizing my cell phone gave me the most worry of not only how other people would perceive me but also how I would feel walking around without the latest and greatest stuff. And even after getting rid of my iPhone I was embarrassed to take my phone out in public. Things = status, and in a world revolved around status updates it’s pretty tough to let that go.
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Minimalising your phone is a huge step, I’m currently working on that area. Everyone I know has the latest version and I’m trying to stay content with my iPhone 5…but I agree sometimes we worry about what people might think or say to us. It is tough. Goodluck on your journey!
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Thank you for this superb post! I’ve been working for a while on making my (little) stuff reflect who I am instead of vice versa. It is truly a frightening thought that the things we own should define us.
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You’re welcome, thanks for enjoying! Every little thing one takes into account helps. It definitely can be easy in this day and age to let our stuff control who we are…I agree!
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