"Every Possession Is a Responsibility"

Tip of the Week, April 6, 2008

I recently read an article in the April issue of Real Simple about the causes of clutter and how to overcome them. While there were some smart ideas and plenty of words of wisdom, what struck me most was a quote from one of the organizers who contributed to the story.

What has guided her in both her professional and personal life, this organizer said, was something she'd heard long ago from her grandfather: "Every possession is a responsibility."

These few words say so much, and they help explain why surrounding ourselves with things--a practice that might seem like it will bring us fulfillment and calm--so often causes stress, worry, and discord. Each item in our lives requires some degree of thought, energy, effort, and time; the more stuff we have, the more of each of these vital resources we need to devote to our possessions and the less of each we have available for the people, hobbies, and pursuits that are important to us.

The next time you consider allowing a new object into your life, or consider holding onto something you might not use, want, or need, ask yourself whether you're really willing to take responsibility for that item. If the item isn't worth the thought, energy, effort, and time it requies of you, or if taking responsibility for it means adding more stress to your life, let it go.

Every possession is a responsibility. Items that don't reciprocate by being beautiful, useful, or truly enjoyable to you will only take up space, physical and mental. Let them go.