Less Means More: Relationships (part 4)

Logically speaking, if you can see that less stuff means you have more time and more money, those result in improving relationships.  The time gained from owning less, allowed us to spend more time exploring with our children, drinking coffee with a friend, and reconnecting with an old family member.  That less rushed around feeling, allowed us to focus on what they were saying and enjoy those moments.  Less activities so we don't have to jump up in the middle of the conversation and run to pick someone up.  This new feeling of calm, simplicity and clarity are easy to get used to.

Living with less helps our relationships with our children.  As parents we love to see that look of excitement and joyful surprise on our child's face.  too often we look for it by buying our children stuff.  Quickly it takes more and more to get that reaction.  And instead we find that they are throwing a fit when they aren't receiving their now expected gifts.  Stopping the cycle and replacing stuff with our time brings more peace and joy to everyone.  Instead of bringing home a bag of stuff, bake some cookies, go to the park, watch a movie together.  (No don't turn the movie on and walk away.  Sit down and watch it with them.)  They may take a little while to get used to the new family dynamics, but in the end everyone will love it.  Less begging, less whining, no fits.  Just peaceful quality time together.

Living with less helps our relationship with our spouses.  My husband is much happier with money in the bank and less stuff on the shelves.  He loves living with less.  He can find things easily.  He loves that our home is clean, without clutter.  He loves that I am not spending money on things that we don't need and don't bring us lasting joy.

Perhaps you used to be a person who shopped beyond your means, and when the bill came, you relied on someone else to help you pay it.  Money can strain a relationship quickly.  With the new mindset of living with less, you haven't needed to borrow money anymore, improving your relationships with those who bail you out.

This was the last post in a four part series.  Hopefully you have seen the benefits of living with less.  Less stuff and less empty activity leaves us more time, more money and fuller relationships.  I am not asking you to get rid of your stuff because I want less for you.  I want more for you.  And less really does mean more.