Determining if it is an Asset or Anchor

Are You Surrounded by Assets or Anchors?

One of the most powerful realizations I’ve had in my journey toward simplifying is this: Nothing in our lives exists in neutral territory. Everything—every object, every thought, every habit, every relationship—falls into one of two categories:

• Assets lift us up, support us, and add value to our lives.
• Anchors drag us down, hold us back, and create unnecessary burdens.

This applies to everything—clothes, food, money, time, events, and even the people we surround ourselves with. The challenge is recognizing which is which.

When Anchors Disguise Themselves as Assets

It’s easy to convince ourselves that something is an asset when, in reality, it’s an anchor. We dress up our anchors with excuses that make them seem valuable. Do any of these sound familiar?

• It was expensive.
• My kids gave it to me.
• My partner loves it.
• It’s very old.
• It was on sale.
• I might need it someday.
• Everyone should have one.

These justifications trick us into holding onto things that no longer serve us. But if we strip away these excuses and look honestly, we can see an item, a habit, or even a relationship for what it truly is.

The Cycle of Seasons: When Assets Become Anchors

Sometimes, what was once an asset becomes an anchor. That’s called a season.

A dress that made you feel amazing ten years ago but now sits unworn? It has moved from an asset to an anchor. A hobby that once excited you but now feels like an obligation? Anchor. A relationship that once brought joy but now only brings guilt? Anchor.

Recognizing these shifts allows us to let go, making space for new assets to enter our lives.

How to Let Go Without Guilt

A major stumbling block in decluttering is the feeling that we must find the “perfect” home for everything we discard. But this, too, is an anchor.

Of course, we shouldn’t be wasteful, and there are responsible ways to donate and recycle. But waiting until we find the ideal recipient? That’s just another way of delaying the inevitable. The goal is to free ourselves from the weight of unnecessary possessions, not to create a second job for ourselves as matchmakers between objects and people.

The Mindset Shift: Abundance vs. Scarcity

One reason we hold onto anchors is because our brains are wired for scarcity. Our ancestors needed to hoard resources because they didn’t know when they’d find more. But today? We live in abundance.

• If we need a replacement, stores are minutes away.
• If we truly need something rare, we can order it online.
• If we let go of something we might need someday, chances are we’ll never actually miss it.

Understanding this can help us break free from the fear of letting go.

Moving Forward With Less

As you begin to let go of your anchors, decision-making becomes easier. You’ll start evaluating things differently before they enter your life. Instead of accumulating clutter, you’ll make intentional choices about what truly serves you.

And that is where simplicity begins—not in just getting rid of things, but in shifting your mindset to only allow true assets into your life in the first place.

Are you ready to cut the anchors and start living with only what lifts you up?