Stuff is just stuff. Our inanimate possessions can’t think, feel, or (in most cases) hold a conversation with us. Yet anyone who ever had a favorite stuffed animal can tell you that our relationship with our possessions can be important. Do we let our clutter overwhelm us? Are we wasteful with what we buy, keep, or use? How do we connect with our things, and how do the ways in which we do so affect our lives and our well-being?
Material possessions may just be “things,” but your relationship with your own stuff can affect you in all sorts of ways. With that in mind, let’s explore your lifestyle and the ways in which it relies on your stuff.
Your stuff and your space
When we talk about owning “stuff,” we’re often talking about clutter — and for good reason. Having too much stuff around makes people feel overwhelmed and upset, experts say. And roughly half of all Americans say they feel like their homes are cluttered, according to one study; other polls and studies have the numbers even higher.
You deserve space. Consider using a downsizing and decluttering method such as Marie Kondo’s KonMari method. You can also gain more space with smart organization and storage.
Storage can be key in this equation, especially when you’re looking at valuable but infrequently used items, seasonal gear, and other stuff that you can bear to be away from most of the time. You may not think that you need a storage unit, but experts tell us that self-storage is a popular space solution even in suburban and rural areas. In cities such as Fort Worth, where small city apartments give way to sprawling and seemingly endless suburbs, self storage is for everyone: It can be the apartment-dweller’s answer to the backyard shed, but also the rural Texan’s go-to for getting stuff out of the way. Self storage in Fort Worth, Texas, can be quite affordable, too — and that’s true of other areas as well.
Your stuff and “throw-away society”
We’re living in a “throw-away society,” lament some observers: We’re used to buying cheap stuff and throwing it out when it lets us down. We get clothes and discount goods to fill roles that our ancestors bought pricey, made-for-life goods to handle.
Almost nobody is better off for this arrangement. Our landfills are filling up, killing our planet. Our cheap stuff is made under inhumane conditions. And our callous disregard for the things we buy and use may even be bad for our souls, say some moralists and religious leaders. Do you really want the stuff you own to contribute to the destruction of our planet and the suffering of your fellow human beings?
Your stuff and your budget
Our throwaway society is bad for the planet and bad for its people. Some even believe it to be bad for your soul. But that’s not all. On top of everything else, it’s bad for your budget.
Imagine that you have an iPhone. It’s not brand-new, but it works well. You barely think about the new models — until you crack your screen or your iPhone fails to start up as normal. Now, you’re suddenly ready to buy a brand-new iPhone 11.
But why? iPhone repair is often quite affordable, explain the iPhone repair pros at uBreakiFix, and you don’t necessarily have to go to Apple’s Genius Bar to get the work done (in fact, local pros can often give you the same work for less). Get that iPhone fixed, and you could have a working phone for years to come without having to shell out for a pricey brand-new model. Making your belongings last can save you money.