Stuff comes with stress attached.  The more stuff, the more stress.  It’s an unfortunate by-product of the American Dream.  Our garages and basements are full of stress, the overflow of our lives of excess.

But the antidote is fairly simple:  Downsize.  Reduce stress by reducing stuff.

When I was young and newly married and just starting my career, I didn’t even think about whether I might like my life to be any different than my friends.  I just automatically started in on the dream, buying a large property and starting on a house that was way too big for two newlyweds.  I struggled to keep up with it for most of my adult life while raising a family and starting several businesses.

Fortunately,  Kaye and I were able to reverse the process later and achieve the freedom to travel and relax.

A few years ago, Denmark was named the happiest country in the world.  Somebody asked why, and the researcher pointed to “low expectations” as the main reason.  So when the American said, “maybe I should move to Denmark,” the Dane replied, “You probably wouldn’t like it.”

And there it is.  Low expectations.

But that’s not how most Americans think.  We are programmed by life and the ad agencies to believe that more happiness comes with more stuff.  “Go Big or Go Home!”

I think a life of balance is the best.  I don’t tell people to downsize to a point of feeling starved for comfort or convenience.  The ideal is to get rid of the unnecessary – and the stress that goes with it –  and be left with the basic essentials for a measured life that is fun and relatively hassle-free.  In all things, moderation.

It may not be the American Way, but it could deliver greater contentment.

Just ask the Danes.

Anyway, you are never going to hit the road with all that stuff holding you back.