Think Small. Think Simple

by Audrey, posted in Inspiration, Simplify

Have you heard of the “5 Cs”? Do you know what the “5 Cs” stand for?

Many years ago “5 Cs” was a big thing. Everyone was working hard, pursuing their 5 Cs – Cash, Credit Card, Car, Condo and Country Club Membership. As for me and my peers, our focus was on the first 3 Cs as we just started our career then.

There is nothing wrong with working hard, building our career. In fact, it is a good motivation as long as we do not allow the desire for material possessions and status take priority over our life, family and health.

My first car was a used Japanese car. I bought the car because the nature of my work then required me to be mobile. After driving the second-hand Japanese car for two years, I changed to a bigger Continental car. Then I moved from a 2-bedroom apartment to a 3-bedroom apartment. At the same time, I chased after the other two Cs – Chanel and Cartier. My desire for material possessions grew and my material possessions started to own me.

You are probably thinking that my quest for more possessions doesn’t seem to end. Fortunately, my quest for material possessions did end. All these possessions that I thought gave me joy became burdens to me.

Driving a big Continental car cost more to maintain. The cost of servicing was more than four times of my used Japanese car. Petrol, road tax and insurance were also higher due to the capacity of the car.

Mortgage aside, staying in a bigger condo apartment incur higher maintenance fee and also take more time to clean. Utility bill was also higher.

As for my Chanel bags, I need to maintain them in case they turn mouldy due to the humidity in Singapore. So from the joy of having, they became a burden.

When I moved to a 1-bedroom apartment, friends asked me why do I move to a smaller apartment? Moving to a smaller apartment, and being stripped away from things probably sound like a failure in itself. Am I bothered by what people think? No, not at all.

By moving to a smaller apartment with lesser things, I spend less time and money to maintain them. And I am living in comfort, spending time on what matters to me. I am looking to sell more of my stuff. I surprised myself by the amount of stuff I have. Check out my Carousell account, perhaps you may find something you need.

Having this desire for material possessions could be a phase in life that some of us go through before we learn to focus on things that matter. For others, they know clearly what they are going after and stay focus on things that truly matter to them.

Thinking small and simple, designing our lives to focus on things that matter to us, free us to try new things. For instance, a change in career to pursue our passion. See the world. Give back to the society through voluntary work. Experience is what counts.

Think Small. Think Simple.

Thank you for stopping by and happy Living for Experiences!

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Published by Audrey

Audrey is a lifestyle blogger and a technology marketer by trade. She is pursuing a life of simplicity, focusing on experiences - reducing her possessions, exploring new places and cities, enjoying the experience. Living with intent.

19 thoughts on “Think Small. Think Simple”

  2. Pingback: Overcoming Excessive Consumerism – Living for Experiences

  3. Thank you for sharing your experiences and lesson to minimize the clutter. I really need to learn to cut down on buying stuff. I’ve stop buying clothes, bags and shoes for myself for the past 2 years but my purchases turned towards my little daughter hence the clutter just continue to grow. Haha.

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  6. It’s very difficult to understand the disadvantages of the 5c’s when one doesn’t even have one! U r lucky to have that! The taste of the pudding, they say is in the eating,! I’m still on the waiting list for the first c!

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      1. Yeah, you are right and congratulations! It’s sad that some of us may not even taste any of it! It’s called the good life, right?

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  7. True indeed Audrey we go through phases and while we get caught up with the need to accumulate important things are put on halt.
    The good news is we soon realise that there is more to life than possessions, and when that happens life begins to have meaning. Thank you for your insights Audrey.

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