Decluttering My Home Unveiled the Hidden Harm of My 'Poverty Mentality'
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- Following the encouragement from my sister-in-law, I recently decided to clear out my 17-year-old home.
- Getting rid of items was difficult for me, even when they didn't make sense in my life anymore.
- My "mindset of scarcity" was hindering my progress, however, discarding those possessions created more room both mentally and physically.
In 2004, my spouse and I transitioned from a spacious 1,200-square-foot apartment filled with possessions to an 800-square-foot condominium. Prior to moving, I had undertaken a major cleanup at our previous residence, believing this would help me maintain minimal clutter in a more confined area. However, I overlooked one critical aspect driving my urge to accumulate items: a scarcity mindset.
Seven years down the line, I needed to address this matter to establish a cozy living environment.
What is 'poverty mentality'?
Poverty mindset can be described as experiencing unjustified scarcity and anxiety. This often causes me to choose poorly when deciding which items should enter my household.
The scarcity mindset allows me to justify holding onto various belongings. Even though these items might be damaged, unattractive, or unsuitable for me or our home, my attitude driven by fear of lack convinces me that I must retain them since I won’t ever manage to buy replacements. This thought process has resulted in keeping outfits that no longer suit me (despite having many that do) as well as unnecessary pieces of furniture. Seeking deals sometimes pushes me to end up spending more money on low-quality things that fail to satisfy my requirements rather than investing in higher-priced alternatives that perfectly match what I need.
It was in 2001 when I noticed this trend after purchasing my first-ever brand-new couch. Up until then, all the furniture pieces I had acquired were secondhand except for the mattresses. This particular purchase cost me $750, quite a significant sum for me at that point. However, I figured that instead of spending an equivalent amount on various somewhat useless things from thrift stores, I would derive far greater joy from owning the new sofa.
The fresh couch turned out to be an eye-opener. Upon sitting on it, the support from the springs was sturdy, and I didn’t feel myself sinking into the cushions—a sensation I hadn't thought could happen.
The couch, adorned with swirling patterns of deep purple velvet, remains in our living room. Although I now sink into the cushions and it’s high time for an upgrade, shedding my scarcity mentality proves challenging.
My spouse and I earn sufficient incomes, and because of this budget We have enough money to purchase quality furnishings, yet the remainder of our home was still filled with hand-me-downs and items that didn’t suit us—until this past summer.
Initially, shifting my mindset proved difficult.
During a pre-pandemic trip, my spouse’s sibling glanced at our jam-packed living area and volunteered to return later to assist us in clearing out and rearranging our house. Given her background as both a minimalist and an interior designer, she had numerous suggestions on how to optimize the layout for our needs. This August, she was finally available to lend a hand—a prospect that filled me with equal parts anticipation and anxiety.
Whenever she suggested getting rid of something, my immediate reaction was always “No!” I wasn’t willing to let go of the bookshelves from the last tenant, an oversized rolltop desk that dominated our small living space, or a dismantled table we received as a gift from neighbors who recently relocated. Even though these things took up unnecessary space, saying goodbye to them felt like losing a piece of me. Particularly hard-hearted was giving away kitchenware—especially the handcrafted ceramics I’d picked up at various artisans' fairs through the years—even those pieces marred by chips and not quite fitting in our cupboards.
As we packed boxes for Goodwill, auctioned off bits of our furniture, and repurposed what remained, I grew fond of the process. It became clear that these possessions were more burdensome than I had anticipated. Outgrown pants queried when I planned to shed those extra ten pounds. Dust-coated books questioned why they lay unread. Letting go of such belongings created additional room both mentally and physically.
I've even become willing to give up my beloved yellow Formica and chrome kitchen table and the red vinyl matching chairs. We must put a kitchen island in their place for much-needed storage and counter space — and the island can be yellow.
I've since realized that simplicity is key.
Last year, a bigger unit in our complex was up for sale, and we thought about buying it to have more space. But my wife's sister told us that our place was bigger than we thought, and she was right.
With the bulky furnishings we thought essential now gone, our area seems more spacious and open. We swapped out our old coffee table for a stunning, newly purchased one that offers extra storage. An heirloom armoire was restored—one of the select items our advisor permitted us to retain—and our replacement sofa is scheduled for delivery soon.
Both my spouse and I have put in significant effort to progress professionally. However, my mindset rooted in scarcity made me feel like I was underemployed and constantly struggling financially. This attitude prevented me from fully appreciating and utilizing our home environment and burdened me with the constant task of managing and organizing numerous belongings.
Moreover, the attitude that makes me keep unnecessary items ends up costing me financially. To illustrate, during my summertime tidying process, I discovered a set of spectacles I had lost more than a year prior, hidden beneath a stack of books. At the time, I had recently purchased a new pair to substitute for the missing ones.
It's not always about reducing expenses.
My views on spending money stem from my generation. My parents experienced the Great Depression, and as a result, they've always been frugal and anxious about financial stability, constantly worrying about ending up homeless despite their considerable wealth. retirement For instance, during an exceptionally chilly spell, they couldn’t make it to the grocery store due to the harsh weather conditions. Although the proprietor of the nearby health foods shop offered to deliver their groceries, the costs at this boutique establishment exceeded those at the large supermarket located in the neighboring town. Consequently, my parents chose to skip some meals as a result.
It’s now time for me to follow a distinct financial approach compared to my parents. Adopting an attitude contrary to mine being one of scarcity doesn’t mean pretending to be wealthy (which I’m not), nor does it involve splurging all the money I earn. I’ll continue seeking deals and finding ways to economize. However, particularly concerning the organization of my living space, I’m prepared to invest somewhat more in acquiring attractive and practical pieces that delight me.
I prefer to see disposing of items that no longer function for me as a way of practicing self-care instead of acknowledging defeat. Investing funds into establishing a peaceful living environment is worthwhile. Ultimately, isn’t the purpose of money to assist us in achieving happiness?
Finding a financial advisor It doesn’t have to be complicated. You can use SmartAsset’s free tool to find up to three fiduciary financial advisors who serve your location within minutes. These advisors have undergone scrutiny from SmartAsset and adhere to a fiduciary standard, ensuring they work in your best interest. Start your search now.
The initial publication of this article took place in October 2021.
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