Thanks for the reminder that you really can do things however you want. Now settled into an apartment, I'm starting to acquire stuff again... still less than most. I have no tv or furniture. Roomie and I just have the bedroom/kitchen essentials and make shift crates for a coffee table/bookcase etc. and floor pillows. Of normal status quo, the idea of living in a nice luxe condo or apartment with stuff sounds great... but my ultimate ideal WOULD be to live in a furnished place and move every 1-3 years. Still trying to make that a reality re: financially but for now acquiring stuff & selling stuff seems to be the cycle.
I don't recommend the furnished apartment thing, since they're usually over-priced. But you can get lucky sometimes. — Derek

What a great situation to be in. As someone who has too much stuff and is desperately trying to declutter so that I am not owned by stuff, I take inspiration from your words.

Derek you always amaze me. Enjoying the friends, family, emails, the moments instead of the material. I remember when you were getting rid of your stuff. I still have one of your books. As for myself most things are stuff but some are physical treasures that trigger the moments behind them. Thank you again for sharing a part of you with all of us. You have my respect sir!
☺ Thanks for taking one of my books! That was a fun purge. — Derek

Isn't this difficult as a parent? Both with regards to items for & from your child?
My kid is not me. ☺ — Derek

I try not to collect things these days but unfortunately I like gadgets and guitars. But when it comes time for presents and gifts, etc I always ask that people make a donation to somewhere instead. My friends and I don't exchange gifts. We instead donate gifts to those in need. We're all lucky enough to not need things so we try to help others out instead.

Great story, Derek.

I have a similar story here:

http://www.ricardosiller.com/blog/a-minimalist-life-4-years-of-experiences

☺ ! — Derek

Hey Derek, it's been a while since we last met! Thanks for writing this - totally speaking my language! I used to blame myself for deleting (digital) and throwing (physical) stuff but now I know - there's a whole tribe of people out there like me and we are happy this way. Hope you're enjoying NZ still (I'm sure you are!) ;)

Hey Derek!

Dude, you're in shape and looking good! I'm happy for you.

May I suggest... when you receive stuff from people, hold it in your hands, look at it, appreciate it, and promptly put it in the trash. Once the emotion has been communicated, the thing has done its job. So don't feel bad about trashing it. I lead a totally minimalistic life similar to what you describe and that is precisely what I do with stuff people send me.

- Amod

Thanks, Derek. Where do you stand on giving "stuff"? I told friends and family to stop giving me stuff but it's more difficult for them to stop receiving stuff. With Valentine's day just passing, where do you stand on giving other people stuff especially when it's the type of stuff we hate to receive.
I give stuff to people I love that love stuff. ☺ — Derek

Derek can you talk to my wife? I am salivating at the thought of a blank canvas, the luxury of knowing where something is... Tricky with 7 kids but not impossible😎

That's really cool. I like the decluttered look too, but I'd have to say I have more stuff. My hubby and I have talked about it though. If we lost everything, it really wouldn't matter so long as we were together with our son, and everyone was safe, warm, dry, loved. My heart is always home with my lovely family.

I can appreciate the choices you have made. Over the years I have had items stolen (expensive camera, CD player, bikes), a large book collection destroyed including rare classics, an entire record collection tossed out by my landlord as if it was nothing, ditto a toolbox with tools collected from around age 12... definitely I reinstall the OS on main PC and notebook regularly, and I have learned to back up my phone and clean it out... but I would be lost without my coffee maker and a few favourite coffee mugs.

Hi Derek

I just have to say wow, I mean wow. For the record, you wouldn't believe how much stuff we have. That's a cliché to say but I can qoute all our visitors saying "Yeah, I hear people say it all the time but this is more stuff I've ever seen in my life", without being horders I mean. We live in a beautiful and huge house in a small and lovely town with approx. 2000 people. The house is in total about 270 square meters and filled with stuff. I have been a film freak since I was seven years old so my 5000 dvd's and blu ray and several home cinema sets are just one part of the very different collections. 😉 I really admire what you wrote, we have actually started to sell of things as well as giving to charity and it feels great. Maybe one day we will feel free of the "stuff that owns you" feeling. Keep it up, all my respect to you.
But if it makes you happy, no need to change it just because other people think it's weird. — Derek

Thank you for sharing, Derek. You are an inspiration, as always, and although I think this lifestyle can be a bit extreme for many of us, it does serve as an important reminder of how easily we can become enslaved by property and possession, weighed down by the material and how quickly physical clutter can turn into emotional and spiritual one.

In relation to these principle, I wold like to know one thing: how does this philosophy transfer to your human relationships? You mention that your friends and family respect you way of life and that is wonderful. But how do you manage "human clutter" - friendships that call for more time, attention and companionship that you have to spare - without losing or offending people?

Once again, thank you for the wonderful insights and look forward to reading you again.
You can talk with them openly about it. Be honest. — Derek

Thanks so much for sharing this Derek, total respect for your ability to be so true to yourself.
Truly inspired

I've always been a fan since your CD Baby days. I am now convinced more than ever we are kindred spirits. I've learned, the hard way as is my custom, that less is better. The journey though life is the thing - not how many toys or material possessions accumulated and stored and never looked upon again - but the journey. The best gifts to me by far are respect, appreciation and honesty. Thank you Derek for your insight and inspiration and for continuing to share your journey with us - your fans.

I move a lot. By the time I was 21 I had 19 addresses and counting. I always had a little shoe box of memorabilia. Sentimental stuff. Do you not keep one of these? If not I'd love to know how you keep memories of significant people or events? Cheers L
All digitized. — Derek

send your shit me. I'll take it.

I want and I need.I need is necessary and I want is usually
something I don't particularly need.However I do like to be clutter free with a modicum of luxury.Saying that I would be very happy in an expensive car and a castle or mansion.Thats just me.Location is most important.I have also just moved to a new apartment and pretty much dreading moving everything in here as the storage space is minimal.Three things I need 1.extra room for an office 2.Garden 3.Studio

I cannot resonate with this enough! Sadly, if you have poor people skills and are not versed into saying no, they will consider you rude or ungrateful, which most often is not the case...

You are probably familiar with Marie Kondo's book Tidying Up or Daniel Levitin's The Organizing Mind. If not, you may want to check them out...

I find your view fascinating especially after just watching the Burt's Bees documentary on Netflix last night. I feel a heightened sense to follow the same path because I just moved into a bigger house a few months ago and I sometimes can't find things that I need. I can't find things because they are still boxed up in my garage.I have been thinking that maybe I should clean out my garage of most of the "I have no clue what's in this box" crap because I seem to have gotten along just fine without it. Thank you for what you do for others Derek. Your post is further confirmation that I need to reconsider my inventory of things.

Thanks for the post Derek. I think this lifestyle makes sense. The past few weeks I've received this message from you and other sources and am taking it as a wake up call for myself to downsize a bit. I'm excited to see what kind of stuff I find to get rid of.

Best,
Nate

I wish I am as disciplined as you. My life is full of too much clutters

Exactly my thoughts. Birthday is coming so NOOOO :)

Love it! And I'm in the same boat (sold/digitized our stuff and have been living in furnished houses/apts for the past 6 years). I'm curious, though, if you ever find yourself tiring of other people's tastes in furniture or artwork, etc. Do you ever long to personalize your space in any way?

It's been difficult for us to find homes that are designed to our tastes and laid out in a way that supports our family's lifestyle (especially at a decent price). Often, there will be some odd quirk that becomes annoying after a while, or the decor just leaves us uninspired. I appreciate the benefits that come from changing our location regularly, and wouldn't want to give that up. But sometimes I miss being surrounded by things I've created or found beautiful. Do you ever feel that way?
I don't, no. Some places I've lived were unfurnished or semi-furnished, so I'd buy a chair at IKEA or whatever. But I don't need my house decor to be a certain way. (Again: not that I'm suggesting anyone else should be like this.) — Derek

I've been flirting with minimalism, but not to this degree. What you're doing sounds so risky and open and vulnerable...How beautiful!!

I took the same road a couple of years ago and I could't be more happy about it. Things can steal a lot of our precious energy and time without us even noticing it.

lol, you took the words right out of my mouth. Very well said, thanks Derek.

I get it. Good for you. I'm in the middle of decluttering. Too many books, teaching stuff and miscellaneous. I'm not as minimalist as you but I get it. Talk about freeing the mind and reducing stress.

less IS more

Thanks Derek! Since a couple of month I'm uncluttering my life too. I had to move a couple of times during the last month and with every move I got rid of more stuff. With my last move I had 13 boxes of kitchen stuff, clothes and mostly books. My goal for my next move in about 4 month is to reduce is to just 5 boxes.
This article was food for some further thoughts, so thank you very much!
I really appreciate what you write and do!

Thanks,
bossk

I love my stuff! I'm pretty sure I have a barf bag that you wrote a letter on for me from some trip. Miss you. Hope all is well. X
☺ I'm glad you saved that! — Derek

Thanks for this. I think that would be a fun way to live.

Just came home and found a tree had fallen on the house and I now have a new list of things to do. Owning a house can be a distraction!

Your post was very timely.

Thanks Derek

Great article, Derek, and this "transparent" church is amazing. Your writing about a clutter free life and looking at this photo reminds me of keeping my eyes focused on what is important. This photo and the message of transparency is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

The reality is I think you need more 'stuff' when you're a woman. You need clothes and shoes and accessories and make-up and products etc. I consider myself a minimalist. The less stuff I have, the better. But whenever I go away, I find I have no trouble filling a bag. A hairdryer, a couple of pairs of shoes and few different outfits for different occasions and weather conditions and I can barely zip it up. Grr!

sounds good. i have moved away from materialism as well. it's not easy in american society. is this why you live in new zealand? haha.

I can appreciate how you live. To be honest acquiring things can be like a crutch. It can weigh you down and make it difficult to move. I have acquired things over the years such as books. In reality after reading your article it has got me to thinking do I really need all this stuff. I could get along with just 6 items that are currently in my house. Keep living your dream if it makes you happy than go for it.

Hi, Derek:

I don't mean to pry, but your post is so interesting in a refreshing, radical way - do you happen to be married, have children? I assume not, at least the children part, since they do require some things, though not nearly what we're told they do! I suppose that is would be quite easy to live as you do even if married since your wife would undoubtedly share your aesthetic. Thanks!

Awesome Derek I would love to live like this but I'm married! LOL

working on it though at 50 yrs old!

YES! Every time my parents come to visit, my mom has bags of stuff for me and I always feel ungrateful but I could live in a room with a bed and a desk and be perfectly happy. Thanks for writing this!

I can´t believe it. No clothes, no car, no bike, or walk Do you rent this stuff?

I thougt at least every American has dental floss? ;)

Greetings
Ron

Remind me of a quote from Fight Club. "The things you own, end up owning you." ☺

The Joy of Not Wanting : )

Yet the digital world comes also at a cost in energy, a cost which is also growing exponentially in relation to our seemingly limitless thirst for information and communication, both in actual kW and in the waste generated when that "stuff" no longer functions. I am not such a fan of stuff either and enjoyed my past furnished residence a great deal as compared to the one in which I now inhabit, which required buying the basics. Once a thing comes in, for me I also want to have a plan for it going out. Reduce, re-use, recycle. When a gift appears from a well-meaning neighbor, perhaps if it is small I can use it, or, ahem, give it to someone else. When I used to clean stuff out of my yard which was perhaps useful to some soul, but not to me, instead of hauling it to the dump or hassling with selling it, I set it out next to the sidewalk, and inevitably people who could use it just took it. I am sorry to read the suggestion of placing a gift directly in the trash after contemplating it - most things can be either recycled or re-purposed! One could also put some or all of these unwanted things into a gift-closet, and either re-gift them or do a charity run. The waste of use-able stuff is some of the stupidest waste there is, hurting the environment and propagating the culture of "stuff" and its greedy cycle. I really loathe this attitude adopted by so many people in so-called developed countries. My take on this moment is that Derek simply does not want fans or friends to send stuff, and people should be so considerate as to comply. Hopefully his post will reach some of these folks.

Here, here. There is enough 'stuff' on this planet already. My hat, and I must admit a weakness for them, is off to you Derek.

I love the way you live.

Do you have any tips how to get rid of my girlfriend?

I want to kick her ass out and keep the house.

Thanks.

Why is it, when I could swear I don't care how other people live, that I find such delight in knowing someone feels the same way about "stuff" that I do?

Nothing's more fun to me than clearing out clutter. It's a daily practice. I feel lighter and better every day.

I relate to your non-attached life style. I live in a simple one-bedroom house that I built myself in the high desert near Joshua Tree. While I have some personal belongings, wall art and music gear, I have absolutely no room for or desire for any other stuff. It is a very liberating feeling.

Reading this was very relaxing , i have too much stuff..doesn't feel very freeing and you feel a bit too locked into once place -it's a negative comfort.

My wife and I resigned from your jobs in NYC and traveled for 6 months to Asia, S America and drove cross country to SF camping in National Parks along the way. We arrived in SF with some camping gear and a suitcase. Starting over in a new place with very little 'stuff' to clutter your living space and mind has been very liberating. The six months of travel living out of a backpack showed us how little we require to be happy and productive.

I'll be keeping this bottle of wine then. Thanks for the heads up. ;) Do you. No apologies. And now I'm gonna go click on that transparent church...'cause...awesome.

I've actually been one of those people who emailed you to ask if I could send you a gift...and I get where you're coming from Derek,...you probably get a bunch of those...my bad :)

Just curious now...what if you could digitize the experience of receiving a gift...but not have to deal with accumulating stuff and tossing it in the trash?

This is a bit funky, and totally unscalable...but sometimes you should do things like that...version 0.1 right?

For example, what if when someone wanted to send you a gift, and instead of politely saying no...you gave them a mailing address where someone would receive the gift for you, unwrap and record the process, then send you an email link to the recording so you could enjoy the "digitized gift". Then whoever unwraps it...tries their best to then donate/gift it to a good cause.

Want to try it Derek? I'll run it personally for you...100% free, not asking for anything in return, just think it might be fun to try.

All you would have to do is tell people the address instead of redirecting them to this blog post. Could be a fun experiment.

Email me if you want to try it out. Worst case scenario is that you don't like it after a week or so of trying it and just say "ok thats enough, it was fun while it lasted"

You are so unique in every single way... and it's what makes you amazing and makes you... YOU! Your book STILL has had the most impact on my life, more so than ANY other book. I read it weekly, because it always gives me hope. I'd say "please, don't change Derek", but something tells me I don't ever have to worry about that ☺

What about cluttering up this blog post with comments!? Ha. I know what I'm sending you for your birthday Derek...a box filled with...nothing! lololol. Hope you enjoyed the jokes Derek. ☺ I admire the way you live. If you get a woman in your life she can always fill up your place with shoes lololol Ok had to throw that last one in there. I admire it though. How much clothes do you actually have though? Thinking of doing something similar too.

Great post, Derek! How did you get your family/friends to take you seriously re the gifts? I asked everyone in my life to either not give me gifts or give me something handmade if they feel the need. They keep buying me things. I keep telling them I don't want them. They keep doing it. Did I miss a key phrase or the right eyebrow angling to be taking seriously?? Thanks so much for sharing your way of life.
Just be honest and tell them again with more emphasis. Many people say it and don't mean it. You have to show them you really really mean it. — Derek

I don't like stuff either! And in this day and age, there's so much that can be done work-wise and creatively without having to have stuff.

Although I was not aware of this about you, I can't say I'm surprised to learn such, Derek.

Things are just, well, things... The more you carry, the heavier life gets. Part of me wants to follow your example... the part that is unfettered... the rest, however, is stuck in life's mud, contemplating my navel...

I feel the same but still have stuff. It's a great week when I'm able to gift boxes of things. I think I'll ask my grand kids and everyone in the family to write about something that made their year, or changed their perception about a long held assumption ❤️

I too love that lifestyle. Being surrounded by stuff makes me nervous.

Here's to a small footprint and living a life of necessity that's fulfilling.

A man after my own heart. I'm 63, single and live in a camper. My stuff is maddening & I'm always trying to reduce it, so you know my pain. Thanks for the letter. Bless you & your unstuffed life.

Hi again, Derek!

Would you consider moving your blog over to Medium? Helps it get pushed out to us on a platform we're on but also, allows us to highlight / upvote parts of your article that most resonate with your readers. Thoughts?
Never ever ever. — Derek

I remember when you asked if I wanted the apt. in NY for a while when you really started to pare down, I have begun the journey myself and it feels really liberating, I suspect when I'm done i will always be conscious of what's around me or what isn't. Eventually my pack and laptop and small Novation keyboard will be all that I have...Whew.

i've a lovely apartment to rent in the south east of ireland if your looking to move again :D

Derek
What an intriguing concept. My family and I live pretty simply, but you've got us by a lot. I have to say I couldn't get rid of.my music each year, too much I'd miss. Books and music are now pretty much digital.
Thanks for the piece, and making me think

Bill

Finally some one who feels like I do about stuff! I had a perfect Christmas, I did not receive any tangible product gift. Food and Friends. Perfect!

I don't want stuff either because I already have stuff. Having displaces wanting. If I were to want anything, it wouldn't be any thing--it would be less things. As you have apparently noticed, it is difficult to become unencumbered by things. The more I paid for them, the more difficult it is for me to haul them to the dump. For example, I have a gigantic printer that I paid $6,000 for just sitting in my living room because I have not found a person who will take it and use it. It would be a great conversation piece if it were not for all the similar stuff surrounding it.

One of these days my wife and I may just get in the RV, point it down the highway and never come back ...

I've been about two years without presents for Christmas or birthday and it is refreshing. I also don't give presents either. But this year I did start wondering about ways in which I could give without giving stuff and thought about visiting people, a gift certificate to a spa or a massage, or something they wouldn't normally do for themselves. Tickets to a concert or a play. Planning a weekend trip together. One Christmas I took my daughter to the Galapagos Islands. We did not exchange gifts. It was the best trip I ever took.

I love this. I love the idea of clutter free, but I have attachments. Thus, I have clutter. Not as much as some, but more than others. I also would rather people didn't spend their money on Christmas gifts for me... I would rather just spend time in the company of friends. When I receive gifts, I have to figure out what to do with them... or how I am going to house them as I am always working reducing my pre-existing "stuff."

Hi Derek,

Amazing thoughts as always. Reminded me of Seneca and how he tells us to survive on the scantiest fare. I stumbled across a movement called the story of stuff:

http://storyofstuff.org/

You and your readers may find it interesting. We need to de-clutter the world for ourselves and our children.

Best regards,

Charles
Yes!! “Story of Stuff” had a big impact on me. I highly recommend everyone watch it if you haven't already. So so so good! — Derek

It sounds wonderfully freeing. Got to picture in my own mind what it would be like to do the same. Felt like a fresh breath of air. :)

Hi, thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. I always feel the same when someone asks what I wish as a birthday present. I don't want to get things (beside time with special people) as gifts. I will recommend your article in one of my upcoming newsletters ;-)

thx a lot for your words - Frank (bass- and chapman stick player

Derek,

Re #62's suggestion on moving to Medium. I completely agree with you on maintaining an independent blog, but you might consider incorporating their commenting format with an open source solution like SideComments.js (http://aroc.github.io/side-comments-demo/). This allows readers to respond right in the margin of the relevant passage, in a collapsible comment bubble.

I know exactly how you feel...

This is very practical advice Derek. Especially today. We have too many distractions with 'things'. They weigh us down and tire us out. I like how you erase everything each year.

wow..... I love giving and receiving well thought out gifts. Especially practical things as I have a hard time buying things for myself. If you were my friend I'd give you disposable gifts like food, itunes gift card, etc. or donate to a cause you like... I would be very sad to be out of the gift giving loop..but yeah getting knickknacks is painful at times.

I'm laughing quietly to myself right now. I've emailed you back and forth a few times and I'm moving forward with the advice you've given me. I've been thinking about sending you some of the things I make as a thank you gift, so good thing I read this!

Thanks Derek, I work at Barnes &noble and have been reading art of tidying up, and this is a real similar sentiment. The biggest challenge I face, is , as an artist I keep creating more things...new music and such. Many times it becomes a burden. Do I work on the long term project or do I create something new. Both yield satisfaction until the art becomes a chore. I still am unsure about it all. Hope you are well and thank you for your posts (they often provide a little clarity for me)-Ben

I'm intrigued by this "Every year, I erase my computer’s hard drive and re-install my operating system from scratch."

Do you have online backups of your important things or things you would like to keep (eg book manuscripts, photos)? And thus feel comfortable deleting from your home/office computer?

You have blog posts on here that are a few years old, so I assume that you don't ditch everything electronic. Just intrigued about the computer aspect...
I keep backups, yeah. So what's erased are just old programs, configs, and unused stuff. The stuff that matters to me is backed up then restored. — Derek

How about home-made boysenberry jam?

I've never received anyone gift... anything.
Any stupid goods ( even just adding one little thing ) that I don't need would make my life become more complicated.

But, I do wanna buy all the stuff ( tools, equipments, materials ) as a scientist n engineer.
Cause it's the only way I keep my integrity.

You're like me. This could be my blog! Thanks.

Derek,

This doesn't surprise me. I once told you how much I liked your shirt, and you pulled it right off and gave it to me - and it was a really really nice shirt that probably cost a lot of money or that you must have really liked yourself.

Although it would be cool to be able to return the gift to you, perhaps you won't mind a different gift...

A simple "thank you" for doing a wonderful thing at age 16 to someone who you really didn't know all too well. It doesn't surprise me at all finding out about who you've become.

Great job living life! I'm so very proud of you!!

Mike Brennan
HCHS class of 89

How about a /thanks page like your /now page? Which says something like "Instead of giving me something awesome, please considering forwarding the gift to one of my three favorite charities: ___, ____ and, _____."

That way the person gets to feel good about helping you, and you get to feel good about it too since it's going to causes you love :) (And of course they love it too!)

Two questions:

Do you have an Amazon wish list with only digital items like Kindle ebooks on it so that people can choose from there?

Do you also prune your digital stuff or do you just buy larger storage if the old one runs out?

Thanks.
(1) = No. (2) = Yes, pruned. I just emailed you with details. — Derek

Halaluja!! I could not agree w you more.

Do you read digital books in your laptop, kindle or buy them physically?

Very inspiring, Derek!
Just Kindle — Derek

Your words are banging in my head, for some time I've been complaining that I live in a very small place, probably I've been getting more and more stuff. Recently I've been thinking of finally stepping out, renting a bigger house, a bigger apartment. But I keep holding down.
What is it about us that makes us wish for bigger, better, most of the times more expensive places to live? To keep more stuff? Btw, clutter is a hassle. Love your post. Thanks :-D

That was great Derek!

Love this fact about you, and people who can be free to move about in the world without all the things that so many of us here in New England have. have you seen The Story of Stuff website?
I often am overwhelmed by all the stuff i have as a musician/teacher/parent and person living in the northeast (like outdoor clothing, snowshoes, boots, hats, snowtires, skiis, etc). It's a fulltime job to clean and deal and get rid of it!

Hi Derek,

Have to say I agree with you. My wife and I have downsized over the last few years which meant going from a four bed house to a one bed apartment. The Post Office has had a hard time keeping up with us. I hate shelves with dusty books, 'can't do withouts' that are never used, etc. etc. Keep up the good work.
Stay unfettered, my friend.

I'm still at the studio full of stuff stage but hopefully with my retirement around the corner I look at everything and think: I really need all this?

Oh no ... you got rid of the Druids sweat shirt!
Sorry ☺ — Derek

Derek,

I aspire to and am inspired by your streamlined example. Quote of a kindred spirit:

"Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions." Frank Lloyd Wright

Thanks, Bill B.
Nice quote! I agree! (Though not just the wealthy.) — Derek

I love this!

Love it! I moved to Thailand a few years ago and live in the most beautiful simple home on a paradise like property with very little stuff. All for about $400 a month. Now if I could just figure out how to feed the world from here, all is well ☺

I also felt in the trap of gifting something to you Derek, it's a way to thank you for your wise words and your will to share them and also probably the will to become in some way recognised by you. Anyway, I'm on the opposit, I just can't rid of stuff, but some day I will. So, here's the idea: if someone wants to gift you something, why instead don't make a donation to some ONG or other organisation that are trying to make the world a better place? Then who made the donation can say to you, with your words the world is really a better place, in the thoughts and in the actions. I live in Italy and with no more than 20 friends active in our ONLUS (Italian for a very little ONG) we built a free school in Zambia and many other projects. One little effort after the other. Here our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ipcONLUS/
It's just an idea...
Thanks and ciao
Ico

Interesting article!

Just to echo others:

'Magic of Tidying' by Marie Kondo is a massive influence on my wife and I.

Thanks Derek, always the right article at the right time.
I moved countries a year ago and started out with absolutely nothing. Now, we've settled into our home and we're back to having a lot of stuff.
And that used to bother me until I realised that, I've done it before and I can do it again.
Yes I've got stuff right now but aisde from my hardrive which has all my memories - I'm not attached to anything.
Also, I give 'experiences' as presents instead of stuff, always works a treat.

I understand what you're saying and I feel completely The same way . One person's clever thoughtful gift is another person's clutter!

In the end, we take only what we started with. Everything in between is just an experience.

Since I decided to pack a backpack and move to Thailand, I realised that I don't want to own much. Right now, my most valuable things are my pair of all stars that walk me around Bangkok, and any other place I am visiting, my laptop and my phone.

I really never thought I could live this way until I decided that I don't actually need all that stuff.

It's liberating.

Thanks again Derek.

The old story about the traveller who ended up staying with an old widow. He couldn't help but notice the spartan rooms and lack of possessions. In the morning when he left he asked the old dear: "where are your things?"
She replied with a question of her own: "Where are your things?"
The traveller replied: "I'm just passing through and don't need extra baggage."
"So am I dear" the old woman replied with a smile.
Whoa! Great one! Never heard that. Love it. Thank you. — Derek

Excellent. How do I start moving towards this state?

Wow, I really like you're way of thinking, working and being. I try to unclutter as much as I can. I also read the other articles about taking compliments and blamage. They are so simple, not easy articles with potent info. Really appreciate it, keep up the good work.

this article spoke to directly to me. why is it so hard for people to understand that you just dont like stuff???

I'm so the same :)))
Stuff makes us less free...It doesn't let us change with life daily.
Thank you.

Derek,

Very interesting, it resonates. I pictured the setting and wondered "Where does Derek keep his books?"

Do you prefer physical books or e-books? Is that the reason for the book summaries?
Cheers,
JT
These days I'm Kindle-only. — Derek

Thanks Derek for your unique perspective!
Richard

So, I guess you don't want this homemade chocolate-drenched almond butter toffee I just made for you...

I dig it and live it! I moved from a 5,000 square foot home in KY near family, to a 900 square foot home on the beach in FL! Hubby quit his $250,000 job knowing he'd find something after our fam got happy and settled:) Gave away all our "stuff" to friends and we've never looked back. Our little spot on the sand is soul renewing every day and the example has resonated with our 17 year old that tending to human relationships is worth time and effort.....tending to stuff is ridiculously stupid!

Well said, Derek. I don't like to receive gifts, either, because I don't NEED anything. Before she passed away five years ago, my mother would always ask me each year what I wanted for Christmas. I'd look at her and say, "Just you, baby". I'd rather have quality people than quality things in my life.

LOVE THIS👍!

Derek, your suggestions, advice and pointers to resources are so greatly appreciated, Getting a key to knowledge is so much better than receiving stuff.

Just wondering what you recommend (if anything) for exercise. I notice you reviewed a book that uses bar bells for example. No machines there? Just curious.
Just do what this book says. It explains why barbells are best. — Derek

If you're a musician, you need at LEAST a stomp box. Our employees still use "food" almost every day.

Derek, your writing is very compelling and I find this article of great value. Stuff becomes so difficult.

I love how you always seem to walk the walk... I bought furniture for the first time last year and now trying to get rid of it as I move yet again... things are such a hassle.

But books... A life without books would be a challenge.. I get the kindle and such, but there is nothing like holding a book in your hands at night, or flipping through the pages when you are looking for some inspiration

That is an amazing routine you have, especially wiping the hard drive. I tend to keep everything, hold it in memory as well as tangibly. I think your way is cool I'm just not sure, barring a fire, that I could ever do it.

Alternatively (not that you asked) you could graciously accept the gifts then put them in the trunk of your car. You wouldn't have to see them. When they start to rattle drop them at a Goodwill, or any organization that helps or recycles.

Of course saying, No, thank you, is the simplest solution.

I enjoy your essays. Thanks for writing. Mark

Same here.

Great post. I always really enjoy your posts and your perspective on things. Very helpful.
If only we all owned less stuff... The planet would be happier and mother nature would thank us for it.. Unfortunately the world doesn't seem to be going that way.
The more I think about it, the more I think you might be a modern day monk ? ;-)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Hi Derek another dose of inspiration in my in box! Always brings a smile to my face to see your emails. Cheers mate,

Do you keep things (like source code) "archived" on sites like GitHub? I love the idea of reformatting your hard drive frequently. There is such opportunity in rebirth and restarting.
Yep. I archive most digital things that matter. Everything I've written, family photos and videos, etc. 4-terabyte hard drive backed up in multiple countries. Still not a digital pack-rat, even with photos, for example, I'll take 100 photos and save the best 5, but save them forever, for future generations. — Derek

Thanks for this post Derek. I feel the same way and am not sure why i felt guilty about it. Good to know I am not alone.

Great article. Reminds of how freeing it was to read Thoreau.

I'm a painter, so I have a fair amount of art supplies and finished work. But one of the main things I feel when someone buys a painting is "cool, I don't have to store that one anymore!"

Hi Derek. I get that feeling of freedom when I travel and live out of a suitcase. I can leave my house and possessions behind.

Ah, to be single with no kids again ...

Thanks!
I agree 100%!

Do you know, Salvador Dali used to demand guests to bring quirky presents to him, and he used to get rid of all those things (once a year) by putting them into the car, driving to Paris and leaving the car unlocked. He used to sit in a cafe nearby watching the thieves take care of all those presents...
☺ — Derek

I understand this and I think the desire to unclutter gets stronger with age. I have a tendency to hoard that I'm gradually starting to unravel. It's true that it's much better for a possession that one doesn't use to continue its life with someone else rather than just taking up space at home.
Well done for the discipline, though. It's not easy in a world where most people are trying to accumulate.

I'd leave a comment but I don't want to clutter this space...wait...damn it!

I commend you on not buying/collecting stuff.

I am 66 and overwhelmed with stuff.

Tons of stuff. Feel trapped by my belongings which are worth less and less as I age.

I have a fantasy of selling everything and moving into a small 30 foot RV. It's just fantasy, like getting sex everyday.

Derek,

Letting stuff and people own me has been a ongoing theme in my life. So hard to let go! My business revolves and trucks of stuff, gear to make images and my income still depends on it. But I also love the idea of less stuff. When I lived in Asia in 2010-12 I had my camera, laptop and some portable drives to store images, videos. It was freeing. But being back in Los Angeles its been an accumulation of stuff and ownership.

Need to rethink it.

Thanks for another thoughtful post - you have continued to get me reevaluating my life choices

>no books
No books? What happened to these https://sive.rs/book books ? I'm kind of attached to books that i buy. ☺
After I take notes, I don't need the book anymore. And these days I'm only reading on my Kindle. — Derek

Brilliant! Thank you Derek. We run away from home frequently to get away from our stuff. Being on the road with just what I needed to do the gig felt perfect. I have so many Feng Shui books that they are clutter.
Flew to London to screen at the Raindance FF with one suitcase laptop camera biz cards. For the first time ever we didn't rent a car. I had to plan what to carry all day and night with no place to store anything and parties to attend in the evening. Found a whole foods that was opened late so I could get good groceries to carry on the hour bus ride home. Loved the luxury of riding up top on the bus to Piccadilly for 12 days. Got a London Card for all transportation . Who needs a car? Didn't gain weight as we walked to the gourmet cafes. Walked everywhere. I don't tell people when my birthday is because I don't want gifts. I celebrate only with my husband as it is the very day we met in 1982. Romance. I am buying more kindle books now but have a big library. Getting together with friends and family is the best. Usually short but sweet quality time, meaningful phone calls or emails. Except for my Amazon prime, the post office sees less of me. Gift cards and cash are my favorite gift to give. Let them get what they want. I was delighted to take two of our grandchildren shopping to pick out their birthday presents . Mortiz age 7 picked out a leather baseball mitt, a bunch of balls and a bat. The next day I witnessed his amazing skills. His sister told me that he plays with friends but never had his own gear. ( he may be a minimalist ) We are still digitizing decades of film and tape and laughing a lot at our creations. Living in extreme temperatures gives no option to store multi media outside the house. One thing I was able to do recently was just say NO to visitors . In the past my music studio has become the guest quarters for visitors . This has ruined my creativity and caused great stress. I feel so strong happy and guilt free to just tell people that I am working at home and there is a motel and campground nearby. We are happy to meet at the cafe. My husband was not willing to give up his studio so I realized that we were becoming a B&B for wandering nomads. No more disruptions . Thank you Derek! Your words inspire!

Ok Derek, I'll send you a link then to my new calender, "How to improve the world": http://www.annellssongs.com/Calendar.pdf

Latest music link: https://open.spotify.com/album/6YiaBai4OOTz4WQuvIVwby

Gift giving can often be a surreptitiously selfish thing. It is often like pulling teeth to get a relative to donate to a foodkitchen or shelter on your behalf, because they felt they haven't *bought* something for you, which might be more about their feelings than yours. They desire the pleasure of the "transaction" of the physical gift, and being seen doing it. I remember reading of a time when Henry Miller received a clock as a gift. In turn he was obligated to put up with the giver's overstaying and eventually had to tell that person to leave then threw away the gift to get it off of his next. He never wanted the item nor that having to manage it.

I share your philosophy, space is the most valuable thing on this planet. I have a rule of dumping or giving away anything I haven't used in 6 months.

> My family and friends know this about me, so I haven’t received anything for Christmas or my birthday in almost 20 years.

I like to give gifts experiences instead of goods. Music gigs, getaways and such. They create shared experiences that strengthen the bonds with family and friends, without the clutter.

Hi Derek,

My solution for my situation was to request 'consumable' things. Food (steak, sausages), alcohol (whiskey, good beer), or incense sticks (sandlewood).

I figure I'm going to get these things, so it fits well.

However, I can't see my solution being sustainable with the volume of generosity you would see. And shipping alcohol can be a problem.

I love having a 'light' lifestyle and downsizing after the kids grew up has made my life much less cluttered.

Jon

I like your style dude. Reminds me of that quote from Fight Club -- "The more stuff you own, the more your stuff ends up owning you". I've been trying to shed excess personal possessions for years now. I'm down to a half a bedrooms worth of stuff now, and have a move coming up and want to get rid of most of the rest of it. I'm a tumbleweed, I move fairly often compared to the average individual. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in this sentiment.
Tumbleweed. Great metaphor. Thanks for that. — Derek

I'm very much like you in that I hate clutter. I will say that if you ever have kids, that approach to material things may be exceptionally challenging to maintain. If you have problems with people buying you things...I swear they buy at least twice as much for your children. Then you run into the problem of looking like an insensitive parent to your children when you want to get rid of the plastic made in china impulse purchase toys that filter in periodically through various friends and family members. My advice if you're planning on children is make sure you are clear to everyone what your parameters are before the child is born. Otherwise get ready for the onslaught of gifts. I admire that you live minimalistically. I think we should all strive for our own versions of this.

I may be one of, if not THE cause of the first story in this post as I offered to send Derek one of my companies products as a thank you not too long ago. haha I admire this lifestyle so much. I hate stuff and hate that time seems to inevitably bring more of it! I think its time for a purge!

>> Every week, I erase my phone’s log of texts and calls

I understand the call logs but texts? Do you erase texts that are older than a week? Assuming you don't do that with email (almost nobody does), why the difference? Do you take a backup before erasing?
Nope. I don't archive personal email, either. Inbox zero. No archive. Reply and delete. — Derek

Some people simplify their life even further!

Without Bound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lg37Cbx-kak

I'm partially this way but I do let various files and things build up for a month before ruthlessly cleaning house. I do have a couple 'I don't know what to do with this but don't want to delete it' files. :) and it makes me feel almost as guilty putting something in there as it would to delete it.

Nothing wrong with an uncluttered lifestyle but as I grow older I find myself making more exceptions to the no Nick nack rule.

I learned my "stuff" lesson the hard way. Our house burned down while we were out of town one weekend. We came home to "no stuff". None. 0. My wife cried and cried. I did not. Instead, I felt kind of...free? Weightless? It was a not unpleasant and somewhat uplifting feeling I think everyone should try at least once though I do not, repeat, do not recommend going about it in this manner. That was a long time ago and I have kept my stuff to a minimum ever since. Not out of fear but rather a conscious effort to keep the weight off.

wrote you close to when you began this kind of life. sometime mid 2000. i think. still living nomadic life. am now 74. wondering: any info or suggestions on best and safest way to find lodgings away, anywhere. dont have home. rent wherever i am. thank you.
am doing this on spanish keyboard. cant figure out where punctuation is. be well. be peace. be love. all blessings. althea

Derek, how do you deal with gift giving situations? I've encountered a lot of difficulty trying to explain to people that I prefer not to receive birthday and holiday gifts...
Well, now I just send them to this post. ☺ — Derek

Need a consolidating Directive, how about:

Bin there, done that.

As Mark Twain said, "Eschew Surplusage."

My view on stuff is that everything that comes into our hands or that we "own" (This Moose Belongs to Me book by Oliver Jeffers lead to the addition of "") is something that we have a responsibility to take care of, to steward, to tend, maintain... It all adds to the load on our psyche, the death by a thousand cuts to our attention.
The art in passing on stuff to others is to resist the temptation to fill the psyche gap with more stuff but rather fill it with something non-material & meaningful.

I feel you and I also disagree. I seem to go in cycles of "I love not having any furniture tying me down" to "I wish I could put some art in this fucking bare place" when living in different parts of the world for < 1 year at a time.

I would like to eventually have a place somewhere which I own and is mine, where I can nest. When I have a place which isn't personalised it drains me after a while because it doesn't provide the regenerative effect that a "home" does. When this happens I find myself looking for comfort in other places.

It's difficult, and I totally understand what you're saying - I feel though for me I would like to have those roots at some stage, just as long as they don't tie me down too tightly.

This actually makes me want to get rid of my stuff and live that minimalist life. Every time I move, i get rid of at least 10% of what I have. The biggest thing I got rid of recently was my bed, since I have a futon. I have a lot of things that I just don't need. The only thing I don't think I can part ways with are my books.

I try to keep cleaner; like yourself. I take it a but more extreme; I wipe my computer with a known starting point, daily. Less data pollution that way… http://tobeatic.org/posts/post6.html

Derek,
Thank you for you post, it is very inspirational. However, it doesn't really answer the question of the title. It tells how you live without stuff, but it really doesn't answer the why. That would be truly interesting. Why did you choose to live this way?
OK. I'll write about it some day. — Derek

I agree so much that I wrote a song called "Too Much Stuff". It's a work in process, but so is cleaning out all of our our accumulated stuff. http://www.mikezband.com/music/Stuff_MikeZBand.mp3

It's hard cleaning it out, or I suppose we make it hard. You definitely seem to have found how to make it easier. Thank you - Mike Z

Derek,

Can you show a "MTV Cribs" edition of your living arrangements?

It would be neat to peak into your world.

Hi Derek, I enjoyed this article as I have too much stuff along with lots of toys to play with...you have the right idea how to enjoy life from moment to moment doing life your way.....thanks I see the light!

Sammy

Thanks for the tip Derek! We live super close to that 'reading in between the lines' artchurch and never even heard about it. We have to hear about it from an American living in New Zealand ☺. Did you also live in Belgium for a while? We love all your stuff! But especially the second 'Q&A' podcast you did with Tim Ferris. Amazing. Cheers! Stijn and Suhasini

I am the same way. I live in my van and feel anxious when I have too much stuff. My head is a cluttered clusterfuck so it's imperative my surroundings are sparse and organized. I do rent a small storage space for sentimental things that I don't want or need on the road but everything I own in the world I can pack in my van.

I will throw away useful stuff even if I'm not using it for some time and then when I need it again I will go buy it again and do the same thing over. It's worth it to have little to account for.

Minimalist living is starting to appeal a great deal to me. But I seem stuck with multiple properties/ investments I have , mortgages , business , financial and family commitments and several other things I don't really need . But I do not how to begin the "unwinding " of all that I have built up. Can you give us some insight into how you decluttered?
Rent a storage unit, and for now, put everything possible in there. Err on the side of storing too much. If you miss and need something, go to the storage unit to get it. After a few years, everything that is still in storage can be given away, since it's clear you don't need it. (As for the non-tangibles? I dunno.) — Derek

Hello!

So, this article (https://sive.rs/gifts) really inspired me. In a simple way.

I've also just bought a little van that I want to live in and travel with. So I don't know, but I felt the need to contact you. I guess I'm asking for advice. It takes a lot to get away from everything you know and to pursue your dream. And it seems like you have. Is there anything that you could share with me?

The way the wrote this article is very minimal, simple, and very close to the goal I want to achieve. Your writing is just straight to the point, and that so happens to be exactly what I want.

Thank for reading!
-Isabelle

I love the idea of owning few things. I moved from California to Utah with only the things that could fit in my VW Jetta. My family thinks I'm crazy for sleeping on a tri-fold sleeping pad in lieu of a mattress.

Something I struggle with is being efficient with my clothes. How does one put together a minimalist wardrobe that is also acceptable for a variety of social situations?

Hear what you are saying Derek. I call myself a Gypsy and I have moved on average every 2 years since I was seventeen, however "stuff" all the treasures of life have come along with us and it has gradually accumulated. Hence BaseCamp. A place where all the stuff is going to stay from now on and next time we move it is only going to be what fits in the backpack! Our children are big enough to carry their own packs now so we don't have to squeeze them in to our packs, lucky for them!

Wow! This is incredible Derek. Excited simplicity!

I've been doing the same for almost 20 years too. If someone really feels that they have to give me something, I tell them to give me something I can eat.

Thanks for sharing an inspirational approach to living. If you don't mind, in appreciation, I would very much like your address so I can send a truck to pick up as many remaining items from your apartment as possible, especially those of monetary value.

"It makes me really happy when another Christmas or birthday has passed and I didn’t receive anything. It makes me feel understood."

Well said. That's a great way to explain why I don't want things for Christmas or my birthday anymore either. The company of friends and family and sharing experiences with them is more precious to me than gifts that I can't or won't actually use. I've been downsizing quite a bit the last couple years, but there always seems to be something I have to work on and think about letting go of.

A man I admire recently told me, "I admire people who simplify their lives..." This resonates so strongly with a path to balance. Nice!

My father was a minimalist after his divorce with my step mother. He denied himself everything. At first, I thought it was a matter of self discipline and quite noble, but as time went on, it was more like he was punishing himself. It got to the point that he started denying himself even a healthy diet and was starving himself. I'm not sure whether to congratulate you ar worry about you, and you can see why.
☺ Oh don't worry about me. I'm happier than ever and denying myself nothing I want. — Derek

I try to live this way, and want to improve, but I am married and my wife likes to buy stuff. So my homework assignment is how to meet her halfway. Thanks for writing this.

Hi Derek,
I totally get you! I have moved 22 times since year 2000.

I do collect stuff but I like the feeling of giving stuff away every time I move. I go down to 3 suitcases (and a box) usually. That's obviously more than you have. :) I am not afraid to walk away from stuff and enjoy having them while I am temporarily settled. I am always excited about where I will move next but also exhilarated about moving into the place I just moved into. I think there is a nomad in me who feels stagnant when she is settled for a long time. What I noticed by thinking about and writing this is that I REALLY LOVE giving stuff away. If I become a millionaire someday it will be good for a lot of people. Many people like feeling settled and collecting stuff that sits in their garage for 30 years. They're happy to receive the stuff I give them. So it's a win win. :) I like both collecting AND giving away. So, maybe financially it's not smart but I get what I need and want based on where I am in my journey and nothing is from Neiman Marcus. I get used books and used clothes or stuff that is a steal on sale racks (popping tags!).

Thank you for being you and facilitating us thinking about this stuff.
Love,
Banu

This sounds like a great way to live. Thanks for sharing this Derek.

Stephanie

I like to have my things organized my way and I hate it when someone else (mom,friends caugh), comes and move things around. Whyyyyyyyyy? I wish I can move like that.

You might enjoy this tongue-in-cheek article about the benefits of minimalism - it made me (a true believer in minimalism) laugh out loud.

http://the-toast.net/2015/02/24/get-rid-clutter-live-abundantly/

I thought you married a woman when you were in Asia? Thanks for article and moreso your convictions and sharing them. I'm looking for a place to live free and write a book fo 3 months. Send list of places you know of. Willing to do casual labor for homeowner estate where ship owner, whatever. Pleas resend link to your page. Thank you. GOD BLESS YOU

This resonates well even if by contrast I've lived in the same place for 22 years. Each day I chip away to get where I want to be. Digitizing old negs, letters, and mementos takes time unless one has an assistant. My main possessions are some photo/art books, photo/computer gear, and minimal industrial-like furnishings. If I buy a new clothing or kitchen item, I discard an older one. A more imminent goal is to have a second data backup in a cloud but with 50k photos, 100k music tracks, and some movies, I need close to 8TB of space. It also helps that I live alone and unattached.

I do save select emails and have found it very interesting to look back at a conversation from 10-15 years ago. Sometimes, I will send the email to that friend as if the conversation was still ongoing. They get get a kick out of it.

Derek,
you are a strange guy.
But I really envy you ;-)
Thanks,
Matthias

Makes perfect sense Derek. I am struggling to declutter my living situation at the moment, but the progress I have been able to make makes me feel better. Simple is awesome.

Hey Derek! Thanks for the insight. Where are all your books!? Kindle or do you give them away when you're done? I ask because I know you're always reading and creating new summaries! Talk to you soon,

Jonathan.
Kindle or give them away, yep. — Derek

Derek - Thanks for this article, which I need to show to my sister.

Q: When it comes to your daily clothing choices, are there any guidelines you follow, and if so, what? E.G., capsule wardrobes where you won't own any more than XX pair of pants, or rituals you find yourself following, E.G., "I wear the same pair of jeans and a clean gray T-shirt every day."

Thank you.

What operating system do you use? You mentioned reinstalling it every year.

Small side note, I like your website. Looks nice, and not too reliant on fancy Javascript.
Arch Linux and OpenBSD. And thanks! — Derek

Wow,
This article is an aspiration, I love minimalism, the fact that you can delete the hard drive and erase the logs on phone are good tips, maybe you can share an article about what you do next, it feels like you do 0AD every week.

I am a simple man, and dont need lots of 'stuff'. I find it builds up and I feel obliged to keep it often because people have given it to me. Though I dont think I could be as extreme as you (yet!), it definitely frees my mind up to think, and question if I need something. Also, there is nothing wrong with me if I don't want this 'stuff'. I can say no, which is easily forgotten and seemingly hard to do!

I love this idea and do something similar in my life. This is my why:

For years I collected things: sheets music, books, computer parts, software and the list goes on. Then I noticed this growing attachment and stress of having things.

I had sheet music but didn't have enough time to play it all.

Similarly my books reading list was so large I ended up spending more time thinking about books I wanted to read than reading.

I had computer parts so I had to keep inventory in case a friend needed something.

I had this huge list of software so I had to try six different things every time I need to make a recommendation to someone.

I became obsessed with meta-doing. Thinking about doing instead of doing.

So now I, like you, simplified. I donated all my stuff and try now to focus on actually doing.

I aspire to simplify things around me. I think I am making progress, it is just a slow process for me. I know I will find a point where I am pleased with what I do and do not have. Very encouraging post! Thanks!

I can so relate my friend and agree. As I get older, the less I want ....and need ~

Derek,

Great article and thanks for the lesson in living simply.

Mark

Hi Derek,

Would you mind emailing me the info you sent to post #85?

I'm on a computer decluttering/organising mission and any help would be great.

Cheers,
SR

Derek,
Grazie! This speaks to me. I'm not there yet but I'm on the way. I've found that the energy to organize "stuff" drains my soul! I hope to continue to whittle my stuff down to having about the same as you. No one believes me when I say I don't want holiday gifts. A wonderful shared meal and meaningful conversation is the greatest gift of all. Listened to your podcast interviews with Tim Ferriss and can't wait to explore your site and work!

Hello Derek,
I understand the meaning behind this article and I respect how you feel about living in this world that moving so crazy fast for us all....

Thank you,
Rae Rae

Life weighs nothing and can influence everything
We have never seen life's spirit
only what it acts upon

like a hand in a glove.

We see the glove move
but the hand is concealed.
The hand exists without the glove
We exist without the body
Our body is a glove we use here
For a time in a journey that never ends
Enjoy all your presences bro
This earthly one is special
Thanks for your lively contribution
God bless you

Hi Derek,

Thank you for sharing your story. I am new to this amazing way of living and am trying to make some "ground rules" for my apartment...

...i was wondering your thoughts on using flowers as a decoration for the living room. Obviously it counts as clutter but it also adds a part of nature to your room.

Thank you for the inspiration.
Anthony

Hi Derek, I always read your stuff but hardly reply. This post had a strong effect on me because for years I've been feeling slowed down by stuff but wasn't sure how to say to say "no" to it.

I love my musical instruments, books, CDs and clothes and art but enough is enough. Ever since I read your post I transformed my house by getting rid of stuff everyday and making a big effort not to bring anything essential in. Thank you!

I remember being a Corporal in the Army. I had a small room, a bed with a steel trunk underneath it, a wardrobe with some clothes, a small table, a little stereo and my collection of vinyl and that's about it. Unlike now, I was in charge.

Cheers Derek.

You are welcome to unload your unwanted gifts to me if they are appropriate for a woman who is a bit wacky!

I like some of my stuff, even though I could easily reduce. I too don't need more from other people though. I ask for 'consumables' for gifts for those who want to give me a gift. They know that includes whisky, wine, chocolate, meals out and books (which I read and eventually pass along). They're trained. I'm happy.

I have a home in Kansas with a lot of stuff, but currently living in Valencia, Spain in a furnished home with "minimal clothing, my laptop, headphones" some music equipment and the wife and kids. Your article is inspirational and legitimizes something I used to tell my family about gifts. "If I can't eat it or wear it, I don't want it." Now I can say, "I don't want it!"

I own a gift company.
I profit from corporate gifts.
And I agree with you 100%.
I focus on gifts to be given.
And create a viral effect.
My best example is my own uncle, a priest, who accept every gift he recieve, and give it away to next friend or house he visit. He even recycle the Crhistmas gift cards. Thanks for your reminder.
Gifts to give away is the way!

"My family and friends know this about me, so I haven’t received anything for Christmas or my birthday in almost 20 years. I’ve been living this way a long time. It makes me really happy when another Christmas or birthday has passed and I didn’t receive anything. It makes me feel understood."

I, too, would feel understood! I should tell my family and friends :)

We are entitled to as many delusions (opinions)as we can tolerate.CHEERS!

Derek, I think it's great that the joy you value and find in life comes from within - from filling your soul - and not from without - with material things.

Attaching feelings to things has been a struggle for me when those things were given to me by my parents who have passed on.

Memories and photographs are worth keeping somewhere (even if only in storage) but then aren't we living in the past?

For future seekers who like to travel and live vicariously, it's a conundrum. Moving across the country was a huge motivator in helping me get rid of "stuff", most of which I don't really miss.

Thank God!...I was just about to buy you a brand new ferrari!

Seriously, though, do you ever feel that you've insulted anyone by refusing a gift from them?
........or maybe they might feel relieved that they DON'T have to spend money on you by your refusal..
Just curious.

I'd have to say that sometimes it's quite frustrating to not be "allowed" to give a gift to someone you love. On the other hand, if it would please the non-receiver, then maybe it would be helpful to give a gift to the non-receiver's favorite charity or to someone else who needs a little help, in the non-receiver's name.

Now why didn't I think of that before??? ☺
Love,
Mom

I just spent the last few months cleaning out my parents' three-bedroom, two-bath home. The drawers and closets were packed with so much stuff! I am now in the process of throwing out half of my apartment because of the trauma of the experience. Why do we need all of this STUFF! I am just going to buy and live in one of those one-room mini houses. Problem solved!

There is a Sufi saying:

"You only really possess what you cannot lose in a shipwreck."

Initially it may seem hard to accept that, especially when trying to figure out how to adapt to this reality, but the good news is: if you actually want to live like that you already meet the requirements, at any time, because all it takes is... you, yourself. There are no other obligations, no preconditions, no nothing.

Still it is bewildering that very often it seems harder to get rid of something than it was to acquire it in the first place.

PS:

The whole idea of "not wanting anything" became much more attractive to me after a friend told me that the true ascetic does not actually abstain from anything. He/she does not renounce, because for them there is nothing to renounce.

The first step may well be to realize that there is a difference between 'wanting' things and 'needing' things. If one can get to the point where it is possible to make that distinction, you will notice that you won't miss something, anything if you can let it go. Hence there is no abstinence and no feeling of lacking.

The acquisition of new things doesn't saturate, it never will, just in the same way as a sugary soft drink will never quench your thirst. What saturates is being not greedy. And the great thing is: 'not wanting' anything is not the same as 'not liking' anything either. You can still savour life in any possible way and realize that your cup is filled to the brim if only you don't cling to things.

Idris Shah wrote about this decades ago, as did Castaneda and numerous other thinkers in the history of mankind, so it's not my brainchild, I can just confirm it. Only experience turns information into knowledge. And "knowledge must be usable to exist" (Omar Ali Shah).

Sorry for the number of the words.

Your life, well done for sticking with what you want, i thought i am tired of being bullied and its time i did what i wanted, not being selfish, so great you have conformed to your own ideals and what is right for you, bless ya Jacqueline xoxoxox

Well written and to the point. I have asked my children not to get me anything for Xmas or my birthday as well. Takes the pressure off of them. I request doing things or going to an event with them instead.

Thank you for writing about why you don't want stuff. I found it inspirational. Societal influences are so overwhelming for us to buy and consume; and I believe that some of this is necessary to support our economy as it exists. But there is always room for another way, and I am pleased that you have found it and are willing to share with others. Best wishes.

I agree with your position, but what about receiving (from family and friends) homemade consumable goods, such as a tasty jar of homemade preserves? It can sometimes come across as pompous when a person refuses someone else's kindness. I don't think it's a selfless act to refuse someone else's ability to bless you. It gives those who love you a chance to show their love in an outward way. I want those I love to know "what" I love and gift that, if they choose. Just a thought.

I totally get it. The week following Xmas is stressful for me as I try to find places to put all the sh** I received.

Love you're life style and how happy you are! I recently had a stroke and have new eyes on life , life really can be simple!😌

Dislike getting gifts since I do not need anything and because most gifts end up putting in the box I have set aside for items to take to the hospice thrift store.

And my lifestyle at age 70 is very minimalist, less is more mode.

Around twenty years ago I asked all family and friends to make a donation in my name to the library on my birthday or holidays.

When a donation is made to the library in my name a bookplate that's says 'This book is a gift from Mary Smith in the name of Beth Grant DeRoos'.

This way patrons who check books out, see how much my gift givers and I LOVE the library and love sharing our love of books.

Derek, how inspiring. I've told family and friends about my lifestyle, but they don't understand it at all. They still buy me things all the time even though I told them they'll go straight to the charity shop.
I really wish I could convince them that I'm happy without excessive stuff.

My family of 4 has come to the realisation that continuing to bring/allow more items into our home is actually creating stress. Our girls are 21 and 17 and neither has wanted a Christmas a birthday gift fir the past couple of years now. But sometimes I just want to give them something so I put cash in a box and wrap it up but they always tell ne no need. Or I buy soap or cabdles which they enjoy since these are consumables which they already use. We don't buy anything unless we absolutely need it. I don't enjoy shopping I usually go into a store like a soldier on a mission. Go in, target the item, pay for it, leave store and mall and go home. I don't enjoy tge energy in malls. I used to, a long time ago,but I prefer to be at home relaxing with a good book or cooking a neal from scratch or practising yoga or writing or just being quiet. I love people but I also need my space and solitude in between. Nowadays we make efforts to be more mindful. I still have loads of stuff to declutter, including what's in my head but we are getting there slowly but surely. A couple of years ago we were cobsidering buying a bigger house. Fortunately we soon realised our house is bug enough and will be bigger when we get rid of sone stagnant energy held hostage within our un used stuff.

First time i have read anything from you and it take my hat off to you , more so because of way of advertising works and their persuasive power and how inadequate they make you feel .keep posting your work the world needs more.

Oh good for you Derek!!
You sound like you have lovely clear and unfettered thinking!
You have a marvellous sense of freedom knowing you literally have get up and go!
I will try to think of you as an inspiration in the task of addressing a hoard of things l know l don't need and doesn't make me happy and yet the physical parting of the things causes me anxiety and makes me fearful to let go. I don't know why.
Surely your family could buy you lovely edible things?
If you were my brother l would like to buy you a cake or a basket of fruit. We would decant the fruit onto your rented place plate and l could take the basket home.
Then l would have all the crap l have now + a basket.
You are great.
Thank you for the article.
Kind Regards.
Suzy.

I lived in a small studio with three rules for adding something: useful, memory, beautiful and better all three. If something was added I tried to get rid of something. Than I married a man who once was married to a shopacholic. He may appreciate that I don^t want to enter a store because that is stealing from my life, but he still buys stuff we don't need. I do love him more than being a minimalist. We will work it out.

I'm the same way! Thankfully, I grew up in a family that weren't big on birthdays and didn't celebrate Xmas. I've voiced my opinion about stuffs and I love it when people get me and just wish me a happy (fill in the blank). 😊

I'm with you on gifts but I also feel bad about stripping others of the joy they feel when they give.

No person has so many relics and stuff as I collected in more than 60 years. Now my mariage is about to end because of a financial duspute, going on for years, I more and more have the idea that I don't want to posess anymore. i am not free of posessionism, not at all but I heard myself saying to a friend today: no thanks, kid, but I do not want to have more things so please, do not give it to me. I know lots of people who love buying and sharing and giving presents, it will be hard to tell them not to give me things because I am down-sizing.

I enjoyed reading your article.
Although I like giving and receiving gifts, sometimes it gets a little much and some gifts I end up regifting! I'm working of decluttering my home and I not buying or shopping as much.
Blessings! Joyce

I linked to your article through the Becoming Minimalist blog. These are the first words of yours that I have read, and I am grateful for them.
It is nice to find another person who so nicely articulates the lifestyle that many of us live.
I look forward to reading more of your work, Derek.

Thanks for sharing this..I wish more and more people would live like you do. I do interior design as a freelance and more and more clients (most of them my friends) are willing to huge amount of money to have more storage for their stuff. I was like them buying/ hoarding stuff for many years until I met a guy who lives like you. It's been a year now that I am decluttering and finally I can count my clothes and shoes and have a few basic things. I will share your blog to my friends and on social media until we get that message across that a life free of possessions is such a freeing life. Keep it coming. Cheers.

We live in a stuff culture, but I live a minimalist lifestyle. I value experiences over stuff. I agree with you 100% that most people think it's really strange to not give stuff at birthdays and holidays. I always feel a bit of an alien when I'm surrounded by people giving stuff to someone and I'm not giving them anything but my presence and my love. It's nice to know that while being in a minority, I'm certainly not alone :)

Thanks for continuing to share your experience and thoughts!

Derek, you are my hero, man. I'm a happily married homeowner, but sometimes I still long for the days when everything I had fit into one room and I didn't own a TV. I, like you, can't stand "stuff." Have you ever considered buying a "tiny house"? You seem like the perfect candidate.

Hey, I love how minimal you are and how you live. You said you moved every 1-2 years at 17 because you could.
How did you do it? I'm actually 17 right now and to afford an apartment, i don't know what to do.
If you could give me some hints on how you did it would be very appreciated.

Thank you

-Samuel

Good for you for elucidating your wants and explaining your reasons.

I do think that keeping an archive of your life might be helpful should you choose to write your memoirs at the end of your life. I have emails back to 1990 and some paper letter back to 1970 from relatives. When I have read memoirs of 5 relatives that wrote them, I really learned a lot about humanity and even why I do some of the things I do today. They don't take up much space on my external hard drive and in my closet. (^:

Lastly, saving a few of your voice mails on an external hard drive might be of a comfort for relatives to hear your voice after you've passed away. But a video message might also work for that.

ciao,

Jonathan

Hi,
As one who is just attempting to reeducate my family and friends not to give me things I want to thank you for sharing this, I will copy it out and give everyone a copy so they can see I'm not the only "weirdo" in the world!
God Bless
Alys

This speaks to me. I just moved into a new place and installed white bamboo floors and painted the walls and ceiling white. I have no desire to put anything on the walls or have throw pillows, etc. My friend said it looks like an insane asylum and will look better when I buy things. I feel it's really soothing as it is. If anything I want to get rid of more stuff.

True! I discovered I really didn't need a lot of stuff, or when I did, I made sure I really wanted it.

I find myself explaining that if people wanted to give me cash instead of material gifts. I don't want to deal with an object I know has no purpose in my life than to gather dust. I'd prefer these objects to be used by someone who actually needs it. Plus, I can opt to invest the money to better my future.

I also prefer words of affirmation over gifts (it's my love language).

Do you have recommendation/habit for other stuff like

- Kindle
- Bookmarks
- Safari reading list
- iTunes
- Email
- Other todo-lists

With love from Finland.
No, sorry, I don't. — Derek

How is your perspective on stuff related to the concept of ownership and a sense of style? I'm especially wondering if its more one or the other.

Fascinating topic, fascinating life.
¿? Sorry I don't understand the question. Email me and elaborate? — Derek

If someone wanted to thank you, could they make a donation to a charity you love instead of sending you something material? That sounds like a win/win.

I have been living in this manner for quite some time and always have questioned myself when people tell me I am just weird for doing so. Often, I feel like countering how their materialistic lifestyle seems weird to me but I keep that to myself.

Nice to read about how you live and enjoy your life. It was also a cute story how you decided to purchase a box of toys for your son!

Thanks Derek! This is a perfect explanation.

I moved every few years since I was 18 and having the ability to get up and leave at any time is exhilarating. Deep down I think combined with my personality, its just effective if you want to move around and try new things.

Seems most people think this is super weird. For me its survival.

I live the same way, but find the energy people put into gifts can be blocked by our uninvited interruption of the age old bonding ritual of sharing of one's things. For me, the trick is to use or hold a thing for a bit and then get it gone. The giving energy is received without dogma, in humility, and then recycled into more giving. Refusing to accept is just another form of collecting thought rather than thing. Since all is eventually shed at the end of our short life journey anyway, why not recycle the sharing gene into a new distribution model? For example, my Grammy knows that whatever trinket she gives me will soon be donated or sent along to someone else. It is, after all, one of the Laws of Thermodynamics - Gifting can neither be created nor destroyed.

Cool!

It's funny how incredulous people are when they find that someone doesn't want anything. People have so much stuff!

I go through periods of accumulation but have come to realize that at the right time someone will mention they need something and I'll be delighted to have it to give to them. It works this way for me now, too. I don't even keep a shopping list anymore, but a list of Things To Have. Quite often the thing I've got on the list that seems most important to acquire will appear shortly after I've put it on the list. Quite often I receive it from someone else who had it and didn't know what to do with it. It's a nice balance.

I just discovered your book via Bill O'Hanlon (Possibility Therapy). I've been an advertising Copywriter / Creative Director for over 25 years. Have never loved it all that much. But the last few years I've been working hard to launch a business that bring Data Science and Natural Language Process into the ad creative arena. I love it. I started learning to code about 3 years ago and now work in Python, R, SQL and JavaScript. I can't believe I can do that. But as I have gotten just a month or so from launch, I have become very stressed. Not having fun. Reading some of your book just lit me up. Stuff I needed to hear. Thanks.
Also, and I know this sounds strange but even though I list my name as Jeff Weakley, and it was, I have legally changed my name to Les Guessing. (The idea being that if you base creative on data, you'll have to do less guessing.) Surprisingly, it has made me think about being "Less". Less cluttered. A more minimal lifestyle. (Not as extreme as yours:) So it was great to read this blog post. I can relate. Thanks for your inspiration.
Les Guessing

A part of me admires you. Do you become born again each year? I cannot imagine it for me, and that's fine too.

I have shed 45 pounds over the last few years and have more to go. I have given away 20 big bags of clothes that are too large and not worth altering. It all feels good and would like to become more with less. Reading and books will be my last hold out. It is hard to give away books and other nostalgic items. For my husband it is impossible. Poor guy. I hope we can find a comfortable 'same page' for each other.

Part of me is a nomad, another part is a collector. It is extremely difficult to reconcile these two tendencies. I once had an anvil collection, and don't get me started on books!

I love this picture. It is a church that couldn't hold any stuff.
☺ You got it! — Derek

Best article yet, I actually laughed aloud several times. Our society is materialistic and it's really screwed up. 1st world is the vampire of 3rd world and so on. Our consumption drives slave labor in Asia and other places. It's wasteful and unnecessary. And all the packaging is just crap. How did we manage to distribute goods for 1000's of years before plastic was invented?

I totally disagree. You are missing out on the tangible connections to your past and the love that goes into those gifts you spurn. If you are happy go with it but I would be miserable without my art and collections. Maybe you are part of the future like Star Trek. But I enjoy building up a collection of fine things over time. Most of what I buy goes up in value and could be used to get by during hard times or a downturn. The idea of minimalism is convinient for those with an account filled with money. But getting rid of or not acquiring assets can have devistating financial consequences for lower income people.

Wow, I feel this way, and it never occurred to me to express it the way you have here. I' didn't think I had the right. Sometimes people say, "I used to feel like you, but then I realized---" Then they tell me how I think and feel (they're inaccurate, and I feel alienated) and why I have an issue that needs fixing. The truth is that i like picking my own wardrobe, I like decorating my own home, I like having few things... In fact, they don't feel "few" to me, and I do not feel deprived or sad that I don't have a lot of things to clean and arrange and take care of. I think better, when I'm not surrounded by distractions, and I feel and function better. I was born with physical limitations that make certain every day tasks difficult for me, so I'm extra grateful when I do not have to complicate my environment. Surrounding myself with objects does not take away my physical limitations, and it does not cure them, and it honestly makes things more difficult.

I used to have a storage unit located across the street from my high school in California. I had it for 17 years. During that time, I traveled to over 50 countries with minimal possessions and lived in Japan for four years. That storage unit literally just collected dust. One day it was broken into and a significant amount of that stuff was taken. The police and insurance company asked me to inventory it. I had no idea what was even in there, but I did remember I had a box of hard drives that had digitized and scanned photos. Sentimental stuff. But insurance doesn't pay to replace your memories and experiences, and the police certainly couldn't relocate them. I spent two days cleaning out the unit and donated, gave away or threw away said stuff. Fast forward four years. I now had a 3 1/2 year old child and all my stuff was replaced by hers. Daily I would question whether I had one child or twelve; really, we had so many toys, clothes, books. And all she liked to play with was my computer and iPad. Then on May 28, 2016, I woke up to a foot of water in my house, which quickly rose to four feet, destroying everything. For four months, my daughter and I couch surfed, lived with friends, stayed in motels and just had one tiny overnight suitcase with a couple changes of clothes. As soon as my car was replaced with a brand new one, we hopped in the car and did an epic road trip for a month from Houston to Los Angeles. Throughout the trip, friends donated clothes for my daughter, but she was perfectly happy in a bathing suit, tutu and a tiara. We returned to Houston and I moved into a very empty new apartment with her. We have very little, and the apartment has 10ft ceilings, but even with that, I feel like I have exactly what I need: just me and my mini-me. We use our imaginations, pretend skating in our socks on the empty hardwood floors, building a fort out of some blankets on my mattress (still no bed frame) and drawing pictures on a pretend TV screen. My friends who live in big houses filled to the brim with stuff think I'm lacking, that I'm unhappy or that I'm needy. No, not at all. Instead of buying stuff (there really is no other word for it; belongings still denotes a sense of never getting rid of it), instead of buying more stuff, we create memories. And for that, we are the happiest and wealthiest people I know.

Derek, I love your thinking. I now realize that my stuff owns me. I have a big mortgage, too many cars and no free time. I now resent his life that I have wedged myself into. Time to purge

I'm not being critical or obtuse, but...

for someone that can create useful things you seem to be useless at creating a way to be thankful to those that feel whatever odd need it is to give you a physical gift and use the gift to make others happy.

Derek, I'm an up and coming writer and have been working on a master piece for over ten years. You are a big inspiration for me the last few years. Thank you for everything
☺ Thanks Jacob! — Derek

Hi,

People could always send you flowers as a thank you. You gotta love them!?

Wow. I love this! Thanks for sharing. For my 60th bday this last year a couple friends wanted to buy me something but not offend as I’m on the minimalist journey. The couple things I did get I love and use and I really appreciated they’re being cognizant of what I’m doing. Thanks again and have a great day!

We went from 2400 sf house to RV, to room at daughter's house. Now housesitters for 6 months, so we have really pared down all belongings that mean anything to us.
But exciting news is we are getting our own 1 bdrm apt. The exciting part is we have 3 articles of furniture so the remainder of "stuff" will be handy for separation & disposal. I can't wait to keep what we need and rid ourselves of the rest!

I love this article. I love the idea of erasing logs and the laptop hard drive once a year. Fantastic idea. Thank you, Derek. Inspiring me to get rid of more!

The older I get, the closer I am getting to the same state of mind. I just want access. Owning furniture and stuff just weighs on my mind.

Derek,

I related with you. I asked my sister to stop giving me new watch every year because its just kind a waste of money and the maintenance of it. Not to offend her, I just asked her to buy a disposable stuff like perfume which i used regularly.

Thanks for your motivation and being authentic all the time. Godbless!

Hello everybody,

A nice book on being a low income artist (From low hours so you have time for your art) said "Don't stock up." Don't buy 24 chicken parts to freeze... or vegetables that will wilt, because if you do... then you are throwing off your tight weekly budget.

Time is a budget too. I wish now I had only bought stuff I would use in the next week. Or month, at the most. At least I'm not as bad as folks in the days of VCRs and timed recorders, many of whom ended up with more hours of TV tapes than they could watch.

I have stocked up too many cheap DVD's but at least I have space; and way too many precious books, of which I don't have space. I use everywhere, even under the kitchen sink. Therefore at last I have to read and/or throw out my darlings.

I hope I never stock up again.

The nice book was by JoAnneh Nagler called How to be an artist without losing your mind, your shirt, or your creative compass. ...subtitled A practical guide

I thought I would write here to encourage learning from my mistake.

Just read your post “Why I Don’t Want Stuff”, just wanted to drop a note! I loved your thoughts regarding minimal belongings and this lifestyle really resonates with me. Excessive stuff has been a huge anxiety producer for me so I’m in the process of minimizing my life as well. It hasn’t been easy with a Husband and two small children who loves their stuff but I am grateful I ran across your article. :) Thanks again for the inspiration!

Disencumber

I returned from a vacation overseas with no souvenirs except a wee sculpture, stuffed into my small student pack. The customs guys thought I was lost, saying, "The luggage carousel is over there." I said, "I"m out of here!" My heart was light.