We live in a world that constantly tells us to buy more. More clothes, more gadgets, more home décor, more of everything. Trends cycle faster than ever, and the pressure—especially on women—to keep up is relentless. But what happens when we step back and ask: Do I actually need this?

And for those of us running businesses, the pressure isn’t just about keeping up with stuff—it’s keeping up with everything. The marketing trends, the offers we should be creating, the social media strategies that promise to get us ahead. It’s no wonder so many entrepreneurs feel exhausted and disconnected from the businesses they built.

So what if one of the first steps to feeling better wasn’t about doing more, but letting go?

Clearing the Clutter—Physically and Mentally

For the past few months, I’ve been making a conscious shift. I stopped shopping at Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Instead of immediately clicking “add to cart,” I pause. I ask myself:

• Do I really need this?
• Is there already one sitting in someone else’s home that I can buy secondhand?
• Would I value this a month from now, or am I just chasing a fleeting desire?

And you know what? Most of the time, I don’t actually need it. And the more I practice this, the lighter I feel. Less stuff equals less stress. Less to clean, less to organize, less to take care of.

And it’s not just about physical clutter—it’s about mental clutter, too. As business owners, we’re constantly bombarded with messages about what we “should” be doing. But just like buying less helps clear space in our homes, questioning what we truly need in our businesses helps clear space in our minds.

What if you didn’t need to offer one more service?
What if you didn’t need to be on every social media platform?
What if success wasn’t about adding more, but about simplifying?

Unplugging From the Noise

Another huge shift? Spending less time online. The internet, especially social media, thrives on making us feel like we’re missing out. If you’re not following the latest business strategies or scaling at lightning speed, it can feel like you’re falling behind.

But stepping back has been transformational.

When I unplug, I’m happier. I’m not constantly absorbing news meant to outrage me, not comparing my business to others, not feeling the subconscious urge to chase more. Instead, I’m more present. More content. More free.

And if you’re overwhelmed by your business, this might be one of the simplest but most powerful steps you can take. Spend less time consuming and more time listening to yourself. Because the answers you need aren’t in someone else’s strategy—they’re already within you.

The Real Cost of Consumption—In Business and Life

I recently watched the documentary Buy Now, and it made me even more aware of how wasteful we are as a society. We don’t just buy more—we discard more. Every purchase fuels the production of more goods, more waste, more landfills. And for what?

The same thing happens in business. We sign up for one more course, take on one more client, or add one more marketing strategy—all without asking, Do I actually need this?

At the end of the day, none of my core values align with excess. Freedom is one of my highest values-and freedom isn’t found in closets packed with trendy clothes or in an overbooked calendar that leaves no space to breathe.

So here’s a question for you: Do your values lead you to doing less in your business?

Choosing Contentment Over Consumerism in Life and Business

I’m not here to say never buy new things. And I’m not here to say never try new strategies in your business. But I am challenging myself—and you—to be more mindful. To detach from the idea that happiness is found in the next purchase, the next client, or the next revenue goal.

Because real joy? It’s in the moments, not the materials. It’s in the feeling of ease in a home that isn’t overflowing. It’s in a business that works for you—not one that drains you. It’s in time spent with people you love, not scrolling for the next thing to bring temporary happiness.

So next time you feel the urge to buy—or to add more to your business—pause. Ask yourself:

• Do I need this, or am I just reacting to an impulse?
• Would I still want this a month from now?
• Could I find a simpler way to get the same result?
• Is this purchase, strategy, or commitment truly aligned with my values?

Because contentment isn’t found in a shopping cart or an over-complicated business plan. It’s found in the freedom of enough.