We Often Feel Pressured To Accumulate Stuff, But Here Are A Few Things You Keep In Your Life That You Don’t Actually Need

pliekhova - stock.adobe.com-  illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
pliekhova - stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer.

Society likes to tell us about the things we need to have in our lives. At times, we are even judged for not having or wanting those things. As a result, we often feel pressured to accumulate stuff– material possessions, beliefs, habits–that doesn’t really serve us.

Sometimes, in order to enhance your life, you need to simplify it. Here is a list of things you don’t need. If you’ve been told you need to have the following things, let go of that notion!

Number one: making assumptions about other people’s lives and comparing them to your own. You just don’t know what someone might be going through, and odds are, you never will.

On the surface, a person may seem like they have it all together, but in reality, they could be struggling with issues you would never have imagined.

It’s pointless to assume and compare because, no matter what, you’re looking at that person through a distorted lens. The only individual’s life you can truly see is your own.

If comparisons continue, feelings of jealousy, hopelessness, and frustration may emerge, which will prevent you from taking control of and enjoying your life. So, don’t waste your precious energy! Perfection is an illusion.

Number two: designer clothing and other clutter that takes up space. Sometimes, cleaning out your room helps to clear your mind. Having stuff like designer clothing is nice, but do you really need it or even use it?

Maybe those items are just sitting in your closet collecting dust because you’re waiting for the right time to wear/use them. There’s no reason to keep clutter around for some time in the future. Either use it now, throw it out, or give it to someone who could actually use it. The non-essential possessions you’ve hoarded over the years are only suffocating your space and, in turn, your mind.

pliekhova – stock.adobe.com- illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

Number three: the inability to appreciate the simple things. If you have food, water, shelter, and love in your life, that is success. You might consider these things to be the bare minimum for living an enjoyable life, but sometimes, that’s all you need to be happy.

Constantly chasing after the next new trendy lifestyle and yearning for more without appreciating what you already have just guarantees that you’ll never be satisfied. Cherish the fact that you have a roof over your head and that you know where your next meal is coming from.

Number four: a ton of friends. The truth is that many people have very few close friends. Don’t keep people around for the sake of appearing to have a large friend group.

Often, many of those people aren’t really adding anything to your life. In fact, they might be holding you back and draining you of your energy.

The quantity of your friends doesn’t matter–quality does. When you put the time and effort into cultivating a handful of meaningful relationships rather than hanging out with acquaintances all the time, you’ll feel a lot better.

Number five: the need to be in control. You can map out how you want every aspect of your life to go, but life will always have other plans for you.

The reality is that you’re not in control even when you have detailed plans for your future. So, when things don’t go as intended, let life steer you toward another path, and always expect the unexpected.

Despite what you may have heard before, you don’t need these things to live your life to the fullest!

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan

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