Go without.

People are constantly questioning the decision I made earlier this summer to get rid of majority of my stuff, and no matter what I told them, they just didn't understand. So one day I had to rethink what I was saying because obviously I wasn't saying the right thing. What I came up with was a simple explanation that explained the main reason behind such a "radical" decision, and it involved the phrase "go without". There was a time about 6 yrs ago when I wanted to save money so I took a radical approach to it...I cut up my debit card. Granted, I was living on base at the time so I lived rent free, it was still pretty intense. I went for two months without not only a debit card, but I spent absolutely no money. True story. That time period taught me two things, never cut up your debit card and that its possible to go without things that we deem so critical to our lives/survival. That's the reason why I got rid of most of my stuff, to see whether I could go without them...going without something forces you to rethink whether or not you need it in the first place. A lot of times we buy shit because societal norms tell us that we need it. When you first buy an apartment, a week doesn't even pass before you start looking for shit to put in it like a sofa, rug, tv, queen size bed, toaster, etc etc...and the bad thing about it is, we don't even think before we buy it. Going without enables you to have control over your life again, where you are the judge of what comes in and out of your life. I challenge you to go without the one thing you think you need in your house for one week...if you can function normally or your life improves, then maybe it is time to start rethinking your possessions. Warning: don't go getting rid of your toothbrush or deodorant, that is not what I mean!