Calypso
25-02-2025
Why Less Stuff = More Joy
"Shockingly, it's estimated that £42 million worth of unwanted Christmas gifts end up in UK landfills each year. Sometimes, a candle might hit the spot, but often, it’s just another dust collector."
I've always advocated new experiences over stuff and here's why...
As a founder and entrepreneur, I’ve spent most of my working life in kitchens—specifically, at the kitchen table. Not exactly the glamorous office of Silicon Valley dreams, but hey, it got the job done. Except when it didn’t. Because, depending on the chaotic state of my kitchen table (and let’s be honest, my whole kitchen), my productivity would either soar… or crash and burn faster than a forgotten piece of toast.
When I first had the idea for The Indytute, it was from a kitchen table in Fulham—a house shared with just my husband. You’d think two adults could keep a space in order? Not so. My mornings would often start with an unofficial tidying marathon: gathering his many mugs scattered around the house, scooping up abandoned clothes, and relocating random “bits” (you know, those little things that somehow accumulate without explanation). Only after clearing the chaos could I get any actual work done.
But it wasn’t until I swapped that house for a teeny-tiny boat that the true lightbulb moment hit me: all that stuff—and all the time spent managing it—was completely exhausting. And back then, I didn’t even have a child to add to the mix.
On the boat, life became blissfully simple (if you don't include trying to get diesel, coal and moving every other week to another location in London). There was no space for “just-in-case” clutter or mugs in every corner. Just the essentials: a capsule wardrobe, four mugs (one for each potential visitor, I guess), and—miraculously—more headspace.
My happiness? Up by at least 123%. I did the maths ;). Funnily enough, this boat-bound simplicity coincided with the first year of The Indytute. I’d done a life declutter alongside a business declutter—no office, no leftover stock from past ventures, no mountain of paperwork. Just space. Glorious, clear-headed space.
Have you seen The Minimalists documentary? I’m not quite there yet (I still have more than two pairs of shoes), but I do think they’re onto something. And I was a card-carrying Marie Kondo disciple—until I heard she’s loosened up a bit since having kids. Honestly, that made me feel a lot better. Because while I’m all for decluttering, sometimes joy looks like three-day-old Play-Doh stuck to the table.
Lately, I’ve been digging into why less stuff equals more joy, and here’s what I’ve discovered so far:
1. Clutter = Cognitive Overload
Studies show that clutter bombards our brains with too much stimuli, making it hard to focus. Think of it like having 47 browser tabs open at once—and yes, one of them is probably playing music you can’t find to turn off.
2. Mess Equals Stress
Research from UCLA found that people living in cluttered homes have higher cortisol levels (aka the stress hormone). Translation? Those piles of laundry aren’t just an eyesore; they’re messing with your mood.
3. Decision Fatigue Is Real
More stuff means more decisions: You know that feeling when you open an overflowing wardrobe and think, "I have nothing to wear"? That's decision fatigue in action. The more choices you have, the more mentally draining it becomes to pick something—leaving you worn out before your day even begin
4. Tidying Is a Time Suck
Remember all that time I spent picking up mugs? That’s time I’ll never get back. When you own less, you clean less, and suddenly, your schedule opens up for things like hobbies—or, I don’t know, running a business.
5. Clutter Can Drain Creativity
Your brain thrives on space, both literally and figuratively. A clear environment allows for clearer thinking, and that’s when those genius ideas (or at least coherent ones) finally have room to breathe.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
You don’t need to live on a boat or become a full-fledged minimalist to feel the benefits of decluttering. But creating a space that works for you instead of against you? That’s a joy worth tidying for. Even my son has got the message and is now selling all his old books on Vinted - he's a real entrepreneur - however much I've tried to discourage! ;)
A Thought on Gift-Giving: When I’m choosing a gift, I think about the recipient’s potential clutter overload. Am I adding to their pile of stuff? Is this just another item destined for landfill?
Shockingly, it's estimated that £42 million worth of unwanted Christmas gifts end up in UK landfills each year. Sometimes, a candle might hit the spot, but often, it’s just another dust collector.
Obviously, I always lean towards experiences over things—memories don’t require storage space.
All my mates are now reaching the big milestone birthdays. I'm sandwiched in the middle of 40th birthdays and a few 50th birthdays—and they really deserve something special, but that doesn’t mean it has to add to the clutter.
Instead of another bottle of wine or a trinket that’ll gather dust, how about a cooking class, an adventure day, or a simple, meaningful getaway - with a massive hint to take you too.
