A simple message from a Greek Philosopher nearly 2,000 years ago is still relevant in our contemporary lives and is worthwhile of reflection. This idea is recurrent throughout history and adopted by other philosophers and spiritual leaders. They’ve promoted the idea of living with less and appreciating other aspects of life, which could be the medicine and motivation needed to free us from our possessions before they begin to possess us.

Why do humans accumulate possessions?

Understanding the ways in which we’ve been conditioned, the reasons we accumulate possessions, helps us to identify behaviors and patterns which contribute to the excess we hold on to. And by understanding our relationship to our possessions, we are more likely to better manage our possessions and find contentment-realizing more doesn’t necessarily bring happiness. Helping us to break free from habits of consumerism and allowing us to focus on other forms of fulfillment.

In part, we can blame our hunter-gatherer ancestors. The humans who came before us evolved to accumulate resources as a strategy for survival. They needed to collect and store food, water, tools, and materials for shelter in environments which were unpredictable and challenging. This trait to collect is likely passed down as part of our evolution as humans.

Fear is a powerful motivator for human beings. The concern about scarcity which our ancestors surely faced is an emotional trigger for us today as well. Does anyone remember the toilet paper shortages during the COVID-19 lockdowns? How about how news of a looming storm or hurricane triggers humans to flock to grocery stores and buy up more than they likely need. Some of us live in this fear even when unwarranted, like in the case of doomsday preppers.

At some point, and it’s difficult to pinpoint when in history across different cultures, but emotional attachment to possessions began to take precedence. Certain tools or objects useful for survival and objects used for rituals and spiritual practices are some examples. It’s likely that humans have also had a tendency to form emotional attachment to possessions due to sentimental value, even during times when survival was the main concern.

Fast-forward to our more modern society where advertisements tell us that buying products will resolve problems we face, that it will bring us happiness, and success. This propaganda gave rise to our consumer culture, where humans are conditioned to desire more possessions.

The consequences of our excess

Possessions possessing us is an important topic in society. Many of us in the West live in cluttered and disorganized homes, which takes a toll on our mental health. We hurt our planet with our excess accumulation through high amounts of waste, depletion of our natural resources, and impact on fragile ecosystems. And our emotional attachment to items, our inability to let go, burdens us with anxiety and traps us under the weight of our items.

Our mental health can suffer in many ways by possessing too much. We might feel shame and be embarrassed when our homes are so cluttered and messy. This can lead to social isolation because of a reluctance to invite others over or let them come inside during impromptu visits. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Review found that clutter in an environment can increase stress levels and reduces productivity. And people that have high amounts of clutter in their homes and have difficulty getting rid of possessions are more likely to experience higher levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.

Our possessions can possess us in several ways. The attachment we develop makes us feel like we cannot live without material objects. Feeling like we must have the latest gadget, or that we must hold on to a sentimental item from a loved one long gone. We may find ourselves in too much debt, or spending too much money on things we cannot afford. Increasing our financial burden and compounding the stress we feel as we sit in rooms of things we probably couldn’t afford to begin with because we felt couldn’t afford to go without them. Our identities, our unique individuality as humans, are lost when we allow ourselves to be defined by how others see us based on our material possessions. Our time is lost, we begin to find ourselves needing to maintain our toys and possessions. We spend more time devoted to cleaning, repairing, and figuring out how to store our items.

The impact on our planet due to our high (and growing) levels of consumption is significant. The most obvious to us might be the trash we toss to the curb. This curbside waste makes its way to landfills where they can take several hundred years to decompose, however, since much of our possessions are increasingly being made from plastic, much of it is not biodegradable material. Our landfills fill with plastic bags, plastic bottles, packaging, and of course, our plastic clothing. Wood-based products like paper and furniture contribute to deforestation. The production of these goods requires energy, likely coming from fossil fuels contributing to climate change. And, of course, resource depletion is an issue, where for example, the rare earth metals in electric goods are becoming increasingly scarce.

Five tips to declutter and let go of possessions

Now that we understand the reasons why we accumulate possessions, and the negative impact on ourselves and our planet, let’s consider strategies to declutter:

1. Channel your inner Epicurus by practicing gratitude. Focus on being grateful for what you already have rather than constantly seeking more. Make a habit of regularly expressing gratitude for the people, experiences, and possessions you currently have in your life.

2. Make use of the “one in, one out” rule. It goes like this: Each time you want to bring a new item into your home, get rid of an old item you no longer use or no longer serves you. This will help you to be more mindful of what you bring in to your home.

3. Practice detachment by reflecting on your self-worth. Reflect on your values and choose to focus on experiences rather than your material possessions. Your goal is to detach from your possessions.

4. Try “practicing poverty” or minimalism. Seneca, a Stoic philosopher, wrote about the benefits of living a frugal life. The Stoics believed true happiness and contentment comes from within, rather than external sources like possessions.

5. Declutter your living space and get rid of items that you no longer need or use. Start with small areas like a drawer or a closet, and gradually work your way up to larger spaces like your entire home.