The Four
Pillars of a Culture That Encourages Owning More
These days, you see, our culture advocates having "more"; Many of us live in a thriving society where economic growth, professional achievement, and physical possessions are clearly held in high esteem.
Article
contents
·
When more becomes too much
·
Excess goods
·
Extra Options
· Excess information
We seek to
waste money to satisfy our growing desires, to learn more to keep our
minds stimulated, to catch up on everything new so as not to get bored, and to
hurry to work to increase productivity and shorten the time.
Since I
entered the "adult world" after graduating from college and getting
married, I've realized how much more the desire to have more has grown; The
budget in the first year of my marriage was so tight because of college debts that
we had to walk to the library every day for free internet, eat out only on
special occasions, and shop at discount groceries to cut food expenses.
That
austere year went well, but once we finished our college debts and bought a new
house, I remember feeling the need for more even if our annual income and home
loan didn't allow it.
Many of us
have that feeling that makes us want to keep up with the lives of others, and
it is this feeling that is primarily responsible for wanting more in the first
place.
When more
becomes too much:
For the
past month I've been reading "Ease of Parenting" by Kim Jun Bain and
it has taught me some valuable ways to develop children's spirit, facilitate
their home environment, and build healthy schedules.
I took a
lot of notes and thought about ways to implement Payne's instructions in our
educational habits, and I also realized that what applies to children applies
to us adults as well. "Our world is known as the four pillars of a
lot," says Payne.
The four
elements of a lot:
1. Many
items.
2. Many
options.
3. Lots of
information.
4. Many
speeds.
We have
filled our lives with a lot of goods, obligations, choices, and hurry from one
thing to another, and I believe that to avoid the trap of modern times and owning
too much, we need to learn how the least can simplify our physical and
psychological lives, it is also important to know our weaknesses within these
four elements.
For me,
this means fewer clothes in my closet, more space in my monthly schedule to
devote to my daughter's homeschooling, writing on my blog, spending quality
time with the family, and it can even mean grocery shopping with limited
options for each item; This allows me to make quick decisions and reduce
impulsive buying.
I realize
that much is a dilemma that people in some countries may find incomprehensible,
but I don't underestimate, how lucky we are when we meet our needs, achieve
our comfort, can build a whole house and then have enough money left.
But when we
pay attention to things beyond our needs and learn to simplify our habits,
expenditures, and consumption, we not only earn more money; but more freedom
from the power of overwhelming chaos and preoccupation; So, how can we avoid
the problems caused by having too much?
Excess
goods:
Apply the
48-hour rule: Since it's up to me at home, I try to apply the "48-hour
rule" as much as possible; Stop buying items (unless they are essential)
for 48 hours to see if you still need to buy them after that time has passed;
Because the possibility is that you will change your mind and realize that you
are fine without that commodity.
Minimize
your wardrobe: Look closely at your wardrobe, keep clothes you already wear or
love, and get rid of holes, stains, or repairs that you haven't worn in the
past year.
Keep one
and get rid of another: when you keep stacking things and not throwing away
others, your house will fill with more things than you can use, and when you
bring something new into your home (a new piece of clothing, a new toy, or a book),
consider choosing another piece that can be used. You can donate it or throw it
away to replace it with a new piece.
Extra
options:
Stick to a
daily meal schedule: Thanks to social media, we have too many choices about
lunch each day; So why do people (including me) struggle to plan what to eat
for lunch? There are a lot of options, which can get in the way of our
decision-making, try making a menu of 8 or 10 family favourites, and make those
meals for a season. This method is more crucial and less expensive since you
will be using the same ingredients for a certain period.
Rotate your
children's toys: When a child has fewer play options, his ability to focus and
be more creative in his play increases, and for me, I use plastic containers to
put toys in for a few weeks or a month at a time, and when children need to
change their toys, I bring the containers and reuse them I put other toys in it
and hide it for a while.
Keep an
easy routine: Don't try to add multiple chores to your day in the hope that it
will miraculously change your life, but pick a few habits or an easy routine
and stick to it, and once you can, it's okay to switch to a new routine, the
real task is staying focused One idea and take it seriously until you learn it
well.
Extra
information:
Abstain
from social media: In the seasons I feel tired or stressed, one of the first
things I do is abstain from social media; It is comforting not to feel
pressured to keep up with the news of other people's lives to stay present with
those around you during that time.
Limit
watching the news: Staying in touch and knowing what's going on in the world is
important, but our culture relies on so many sources for news that it has
sometimes become a source of unnecessary stress. So, instead of using 3 or 4
news sources (TV, newspaper, Internet, etc.), stick to one reliable source. My
husband reads newspapers every day, so he finds fewer tragic events and a
limited number of stories that interest him.
Overspeed:
Leave more
space: Are your evenings so crowded that you find it hard to find time for a
family meal or a walk after dinner? Leave some evenings if possible without
homework or activities, reduce the number of extra duties for your children,
and make time to enjoy life for free, such as visiting friends and relaxing in
nature.
Don't do
more than one task at a time: When we try to get multiple things done at once,
we experience greater confusion, pressure, and inefficiency. I've had great
success making a list of 3 tasks, doing each task individually until it's
complete, then moving on to the next task on the list. Life isn't just about
productivity, But enjoying the trip as well.
Having too
much isn't always that bad, but when having too much becomes a source of stress
or lack of gratitude for what we have, or when it causes us to want more and
more, then it's time to slow down and limit what we have.