Agree or Disagree: We don't own things... things own us?

[coachTanthony]

Agree

Disagree

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I am a minimalist (that does not mean I own two place settings and one piece of art...). : )

Based on my perspective, I think because of the loss of community and lack of healthy venues in which to express emotion, we pour a lot of feelings into our stuff. In that sense, we struggle to let go, even though it is just a "thing".

I think, again, this question is too black and white. I think we have to look at what is required of us by society in order to survive. That means food, clothing, safe housing, etc. For most, that's an 8 to 12 hour workday. Then, stuff is acquired to compensate for how exhausted and emotionally drained we are from just trying to make ends meet (and deal with people we have no relationships with) all day. That makes it doubly difficult to let go of stuff, because the stuff is a monument to life spent acquiring those things that help us to cope with an untenable lifestyle.

Many jobs are not paying so much for your skills as your time. Some people, if given the option, could accomplish everything they need to do in far less time than the typical workday, if they were free to make choices about how a given task was accomplished. But we must "put in our time", i. e., life. And then, stuff is purchased to comfort us because of the lack of community we have because we don't have the time available to us to build relationships and help each other

Do "things" own us? Technically, no. Does our lifestyle and consumer-based society own us? Yes.

*Watch The Minimalists: Less is Now on Netflix for a great explanation of this. Minimalism brings freedom. It's truly amazing to experience!

[coachTanthony]

I too am a minimalist and got to meet those two guys years ago on their book tour.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

What? That's awesome. They are promoting a fantastic message and lifestyle, and I like the way that they think.

[coachTanthony]

Amazing how they boxed up their entire house and after a certain point if they didn't use the items in the box they just got rid of it. Genius really. Amazing how much stuff we don't need.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

I agree. It's a great way to do it, and shows the commitment level, too. Minimalism makes us more particular about buying things, too, because we have experienced the burden of stuff and the hassle associated with getting rid of it. I don't shop for fun anymore, because I see it as my time being spent to organize and manage more stuff. I buy services that free up my time, and experiences that I enjoy, instead of stuff now. Glad you've found freedom, too! That's fantastic.

[handsomelad70]

Are you a minimalist because you're a dude, coachTanthony?

[coachTanthony]

@handsomelad70 No because I didn't need 3 properties and 4 luxury cars. Instead I sold it all and invested and made more money. Life is now about experiences not working all day everyday.

[handsomelad70]

You got that right, pardner !!!

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Agree totally. It's remarkable that you got to the place where you had it all, and then realized how unfulfilling it is while you still had the opportunity to change direction. Not everyone recognizes that.

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

Nah, I think we own things. It's the fear of missing out that owns people.

[Unit1]

nope. I'm broke and own pretty much nothing. plus i'm renting, sleeping on a mattress the floor and working full time while also gambling my money using brokers and trading contracts.

[Unit1]

And just Look at how many girls love it
*chirping background*

[handsomelad70]

Couldn't agree more, coachTanthony.

[NathanDavis]

I am debt free at the moment... (KnockingOnWoodAMillionTimes)

[worldscolide]

It depends on the person. The more materialistic a person is, the more things own them.

[handsomelad70]

Sometimes, owning too many things can be addictive.

[exitseven]

Nope, I don't get too attached to material things. They are mostly just objects that are useful to me.

[OfMiceandMen]

The items we purchase/own in life never choose us, we choose them, so I would disagree.

[IslaTheWitch]

I definitely own things :D

[leahzrc]

I am not a material girl sorry Madonna screw her

[Wiredone]

I totally disagree with that.

[Pete671]

Can be both,

[TeraGER]

We definitely own them

[msc545]

We typically own many things. I know I do.