With Less Stuff, I Could Live In a Smaller and Less Expensive Home, and Work Fewer Hours

This is part of Stewie's Guide to Ruthlessly Declutter Your Clothes Today.

Growing up, my family spent summers at my Aunt’s cabin on Bear Lake, Idaho. It was cozy—and compared to our house—almost shockingly simple.

I remember my Aunt saying, “I love staying here because there’s so much less stuff. We don’t have extra plates and cups and random knickknacks. Just the essentials.”

At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But decades later, her words still echo in my mind.

Because she was right.

Most of our possessions? We don’t actually use them. They sit tucked away in closets, garages, basements, and storage units, collecting dust while we pay for the space to keep them.

And that’s the wild part—if we let go of all the excess, we wouldn’t just have less clutter. We’d need less space.

What Would Life Look Like With Less?

Imagine this:

What would that mean for your life?

For most of us, it means freedom—the ability to work fewer hours, retire earlier, and spend more time doing things that actually bring joy. It means no longer sacrificing our time and energy just to maintain a storage space for things we don’t even use.

And that’s the question I keep coming back to: How many extra years am I willing to work just to afford space for stuff I never even look at?

Choosing a Lighter Life

I know this isn’t an easy shift. Letting go of things feels big—because we attach memories, emotions, and even identity to our belongings.

But when we start seeing the true cost—not just in dollars, but in time, energy, and freedom—something shifts.

Suddenly, decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of things. It’s about creating space for the life we actually want to live.

So, ask yourself:

Because in the end, the goal isn’t just a tidy house. It’s a lighter, freer life.

Next steps…