One of the best quotes this year from a friend.

People buy stuff because they can’t think of anything else better to do.

– T. Lake

It’s so darn true. I am guilty of turning to shopping whenever I am bored. But in a country where space (land) is a premium, we really should think hard before we buy stuff.

I’ve ranted about consumerism not just once. I’ve spent the last few years trying to clear out junk in my house — basically things that I haven’t been using — only to have them accumulate again. Most times I am not part of the problem. I get a lot of hand-me-downs which at times are hard to simply just dispose of. I am getting increasingly frustrated that I am trying to make space, but things just keep appearing.

I also realize that I have to spend so much more time/effort — and even money — to get rid of things than to keep or store them. This is really the biggest pain, and is really a first world problem.

I have to spend so much more time/effort — and even money — to get rid of things than to keep or store them.

I tried giving away computers last year. It took me months. I even had to constantly remind people to come pick them up. Some even said computers are too bulky and preferred laptops. I mean, even for free it seems people had a choice. In the end, I had to trash 3 of them.

I am compelled to think of how to solve this problem, but I don’t have an idea yet. There’s nothing an online trading platform can’t do. Just browse Carousell for used items under $10 and you will know how much junk there is out there. If only people would stop buying stuff and spend time/money on things, like social connections, knowledge, services and experiences. All the cheap online shopping from China isn’t helping at all.

It is always an eye-opener to chat with people who newly immigrate to your country because they usually bring little or nothing with them. Pay attention to what or where they spend their time and money, and observe how much time they have because they have nothing. Be amazed that they know more about the things happening in your own country than you do.

De-cluttering continues to be my goal, year after year. People think I’m trying to save money. Yes, it may save money if I started with less and kept it that way. But right now it actually costs money for me to get rid of things.

Have a house full of people, not a house full of things.

Stop buying stuff. Stop going to shopping malls. Start going to places. Start meeting people. Start buying experiences. Start living life. Have a house full of people, not a house full of things.