7 Reasons to Collect More Moments Instead of More Stuff

Last weekend, I strolled along the Chicago River, husband by my side, baby in my front pack. Low, evening sunlight filtered between the towering, black skyscrapers ahead. The water held their reflections, a glistening image sustained by small waves of the Windy City.

The view was breathtaking. And quite a contrast from our usual rural Kansas scenery, so I paused, grabbed my iPhone and snapped a picture. 

Stuffing my phone back into my purse, I lingered. Eyes on the water. Soaking in each ripple, absorbing every ounce of reflected light. My mind put words to what I was seeing. My heart cemented the feeling. And the moment was captured, mine. 

Ever since adopting a minimalist lifestyle—when I stopped collecting stuff—I’ve been collecting moments instead. At the end of each day, I document at least three moments from that day in a journal. My list now surpasses 4,000 entries—I’ve been recording them for around four years. 

These are moments that, to me, make life truly rich. Moments that hold more meaning than any possession I could accumulate. And the more I’ve detached from my stuff, the more I’ve been able to see these moments.

Truth is our lives are full of collectible moments—I call them “moments that matter.” And part of living life more intentionally is being present for them by anchoring ourselves in the now, and opening our eyes to what it has to offer.

Time and time again, studies show that owning excess material possessions doesn’t equal more happiness. Moments of connection and meaning do.

In a society that applauds busyness and consumerism, focusing less on stuff and more on moments that matter in a countercultural practice. It takes work and commitment to unify yourself with the present moment and wait to watch how life unfolds.

But it’s worth it—collecting moments instead of stuff, for me, has been nothing short of life-changing.

I think it would be for you, too.

Here are 7 reasons to collect more moments instead of more stuff:

1. You realize life isn’t about stuff

The number one regret of people on their deathbed, as explained in palliative care nurse and author Bronnie Ware’s book, is: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” Another is “I wish I wouldn’t have worked so hard.” And another is: “I wish I would have let myself be happier.” 

Notice that “I wish I would have accumulated more stuff,” or “I wish I would have lived with newer, bigger, and trendier possessions,” didn’t make the list.

Why? Because, while we all need basic possessions, life isn’t about our stuff. You can’t take it with you. And chances are, when you get to the end of your life, you’re not going to wish you had more stuff or dedicated more time to it.

Moments of connection, of beauty, of generosity, of being fully present, those are what matter and what are worth collecting.

2. You stress less

Studies show it’s not possible to be grateful and stressed at the same time. When you collect a moment, you freeze-frame a piece of your life and feel grateful.

Collecting stuff doesn’t foster gratitude—typically the more you acquire, the more you desire. Collecting stuff doesn’t reduce stress. The more stuff you own, the more your stuff owns you as you dedicate more and more time, energy and attention to maintaining it.

The more aware we become of moments that matter, the more grateful we become and the more we let go of stress.

3. You have more space

Author Francine Jay said, “I’d rather have more space than more stuff.” And I couldn’t agree more. 

Ask yourself what you’d like to make more space for in your life. Space for more time with family or more creative projects? Space for more travel, prayer, exercise, self-care, or even just more space for doing nothing? Collecting moments instead of stuff creates space for what matters. 

You create more space in your home because you drastically slow your rate of bringing in additional possessions. You create more space in your schedule because you no longer spend a good chunk of your life cleaning, maintaining, organizing, looking for, fixing, or worrying about your stuff. 

Collecting moments that matter reduces the amount of clutter in your home, increases your clarity on what makes you come alive, and gives you space to invite more of that into your life.

4. Your character grows

Collected moments and experiences shape your character in ways that excess possessions never will. Consider travel. Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” and I couldn’t agree more. 

The more we experience the world, increasingly present to those around us, the more we learn how connected we all are. We grow in patience and understanding of others. We grow in empathy as we realize everyone is fighting some type of (often unseen) battle.

Moments that matter make us better humans. Let’s live defined by our character, not our stuff.

5. You save money

Collecting moments instead of things gives you a new perspective on what it means to be rich. Collecting possessions may fill your heart for a moment, or at least provide a purchase-induced dopamine rush. But when the buyer’s high subsides, you’re left looking for more. 

Moments, when truly collected—observed, felt, and even documented—cause joy to resurface anytime you revisit them. When I scroll my list of captured moments, I read things like:

• My daughter placing her hand in mine under a starry Dallas sky while belting out Deep in The Heart of Texas together
• Sound of rain falling softly on our patio
• Princess tea parties and attempted British accents
• Steam rising from a hot mug of coffee while awaiting a Rocky Mountain sunrise
• A birthday round of golf with my husband
• Tiny baby fingers wrapped tightly around my thumb

Moments like these are worth more to me than any excess possession I could purchase. This knowledge saves me money, as I keep my eyes open to moments that matter and my pocket book closed.

6. You compare less

Collecting the moments that matter in your life diverts your eyes from the lives of others. Embrace your inner detective and search for those daily moments that leave you feeling more grateful and more alive. When you’re searching for your next meaning-drenched “moment” to collect, you won’t be wishing you had the same upgraded iPhone as your neighbor or new designer purse you saw on Instagram. 

You can observe others who are searching for happiness by acquiring more stuff (a.k.a “The Jonses”) without feeling a pull to do the same. Comparison is a thief of joy, and gratitude is an antidote to comparison. 

More moments that matter—not more stuff—bring more joy, more gratitude, and ultimately less comparison.

7. You reconsider your legacy

What do you want your legacy to be? Whatever you invest your time collecting is what you will have to leave behind.

When you collect moments, you become a person who is present and connected to those around you. Soaking in moments allows you to invest in others and really be in tune with their lives. Focused attention like this has the power to change the lives of those around you. 

I’d much rather be known for my ability to enjoy the moment and my investments in others than being known as a person distracted by amassing more stuff.

An anonymous quote I love goes like this: “Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.”

Take a minute and look at your life. Are you capturing moments that matter or are you stockpiling stuff?

If you chose the latter, you can change that today. Grab a pen and paper (or use the notes App on your phone) and open your eyes wide to your life. 

What moments make you come alive, fill you with joy, or wow you by their beauty? Write them down. Make it a goal to collect at least three a day, and, before you know it, looking for the simple, lovely moments that matter in your life will become second nature. 

Let’s choose experiences over stuff. Let’s collect moments that matter instead of amassing excess possessions.

In my experience, your life will be exponentially richer for it.

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached thousands of people worldwide through her blog. Julia practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, one-year-old son, and newborn baby girl. You can also find her on Instagram.

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I want to help you design a simple, intentional life! I’ve created a 30-day course that will guide and inspire you to make actual change in your life by decluttering your home, heart and schedule. It’s time to live focused on what matters! Learn more HERE.