Loving the Home You Have and Letting Go of Overconsumption
Today, I want to talk about overconsumption—the tendency we have as a society to keep buying more and more, often chasing the homes we see on Instagram instead of appreciating the one we already have.
My Own Journey with Buying
Once I started earning my own money, I loved buying things. It wasn’t about the most expensive items, but about the thrill of purchasing. Even a $20 item could feel exciting. I’d buy, unpack, and often, items would just sit there, untouched.
I followed Instagram accounts with perfectly decorated homes and spent hours on Pinterest, dreaming about “the house I should have.”
When we bought our first house in summer 2021, it was in our price range, but it was an older home—dated, with honey-colored cabinets and brown bathroom walls. Before moving in, I kept thinking about all the renovations I “needed” to make it Pinterest-worthy.
Here’s what I learned: live in your home for a while before making major changes. Some things you think are issues aren’t—they might even become your favorite features. For example, our living room has a passthrough window to the kitchen. I initially wanted to rip it out, but now we love it—it adds character and makes peekaboo with our daughter fun.
Slow Living and Rethinking Consumption
Embracing a slow life changed how I view both purchasing and my home. When you start questioning society’s messages—what you should buy, how your home should look—you realize:
You often have more than enough.
Life can feel simpler with fewer things.
Less stuff means less upkeep and less stress.
Decluttering and prioritizing the things that truly matter made our home calmer and more livable. And those once “ugly” orange oak cabinets? I love them now. They give character and uniqueness, and leaning into what already exists feels so freeing.
Books like Love the Home You Have and The Day the World Stops Shopping helped me on this journey, encouraging me to cherish what I already own and consider the broader impact of overconsumption on our planet.
Thinking About Toys, Space, and Children
As a mother, this mindset extends beyond furniture and decor. It affects how I create space for my daughter.
Children don’t need an excess of toys to find joy.
Too many toys can actually create a barrier between parent and child.
It’s about creating a home that nurtures presence, not excess.
Lessons from My Grandmother
Visiting my grandmother’s house recently reminded me of the beauty of care and longevity. In her 80s, she still treasures furniture she’s had for decades—reupholstered, loved, and well-used.
This contrasts sharply with today’s “buy it now, toss it later” mentality. Sometimes, what we have is good enough. We don’t need to constantly update or buy new just to follow trends or social media aesthetics.
The Pressure of Social Media and Keeping Up
Social media can amplify overconsumption. From Christmas decor trends to Instagram-perfect homes, it’s easy to feel pressure to buy, redo, or perform.
I struggle with this even as someone living a slow life. Taking photos, creating content, or posting stories often pulls me out of the present moment. I realized that for me, the goal isn’t to showcase slow living—it’s to live it authentically.
Here’s the truth: what you see online is rarely the full picture. And when we compare ourselves to those curated snippets, it’s easy to feel we’re “failing.”
Protecting Your Peace and Your Circle
A slow life isn’t just about decluttering your home—it’s also about decluttering your relationships.
Not everyone deserves access to your life.
You don’t owe anyone the “perfect” version of yourself or your home.
Protect your peace, your family, and your energy.
The people who matter will respect your space without judgment. The rest? It’s okay to let go.
Key Takeaways
Live in your home before making renovations.
Embrace what you already have; uniqueness adds character.
Declutter to simplify life, reduce stress, and nurture presence.
Teach children joy through less, not more.
Question social media’s influence and resist unnecessary consumption.
Protect your energy and curate your circle of people intentionally.
A Gentle Invitation
I’d love for you to reflect on this: Do you feel pressure to perform or keep up with others? How might your life look if you fully embraced what you already have?