It really started for me when I got divorced and went bankrupt. There was no way to spend on frivolous things.
What about you?
My wife and I wanted to live on a boat. Sadly, it never happened, but as part of the preparation process we went from a 1200 sqft house to a 600sq ft studio apartment and got rid of a load of stuff to make it happen. It was great!
We did well for several years of keeping a small footprint, even after the dream of the boat collapsed, but experienced a slight relapse during the pandemic. Just now reducing again having moved from a two bedroom place to a one bedroom to offset unaffordable rent.
honestly, more ‘stuff’ around makes me feel anxious and stressed. i keep my place as tidy as i can for this reason. if something i own doesn’t have a place i find it hard to relax in my home.
Had to evacuate from a wildfire shortly after I graduated from college. There’s nothing like knowing that anything you don’t take will likely be burned to a crisp to really evaluate what is most important to you and what is not necessary. I had a very small car, so between the time and space limitations, there was a very limited amount of things I could grab.
I just found that I find having stuff really taxing mentally. Both the thought of having spent money and wasted space on things I rarely or never enjoy; or the endless maintenance and cleaning of those things. I have found a good balance where I have just the things I need and some extras that I haven’t bothered with getting rid off.
It should be said that I am financially quite comfortable, so in the worst case I can just purchase or rent what I may be needing in the future.
After high school I moved every summer for 6 years. Got really tired of packing and unpacking unnecessary items. Stuck with the life style.
Same here but living in one place for the last 10 years allowed me to accumulate things.
Already answered in another thread, but will add here aswell: when I had to move while stressed. Got pissed at all the stuff I had which I didn’t need but still had to be taken with me due to time constraints.