Choosing quality over quantity lets us focus on what really matters. The challenge is, we have to allow ourselves to always select the best. This means effort and needs practice. Still, it’s worth it.
Be it the clothes we buy, the books we read, or the people we spend time with, quality will always add more value to our lives than quantity. On the other hand, too much stuff and an abundance of choices cause stress and overwhelm. And not only for ourselves but also for the planet.
Investing in quality saves us time and money and supports sustainability. Moreover, it’s an act of self-love. But there are more reasons why choosing quality over quantity is always a good idea.
Investing in quality saves us time and money and supports sustainability. Moreover, it's an act of self-love. Click To Tweet7 Reasons Why to Choose Quality Over Quantity
- Investing in quality saves you money.
- Choosing quality saves you time (and energy!).
- Preferring quality over quantity supports sustainability.
- A quality over quantity approach reduces stress and overwhelm.
- Quality brings more satisfaction and happiness.
- Quality makes you care more.
- Choosing quality is an act of self-love.
1. Investing in Quality Saves You Money
Buying quality items saves you money – even if the initial expense is higher. This is because the most apparent benefit of high-quality items is, they’ll last longer. They need to be less frequently replaced. Thus, they have a better return on investment. Despite, quality pieces usually don’t cost that much (more). However, be aware that purchasing expensive premium brands doesn’t necessarily mean you end up with quality products. Of course, there are exceptions, but, in many cases, you pay for the brand name. In other words, the price tag isn’t the primary indicator of quality. When you know how to spot quality items, you’ll find them within any price category.
2. Choosing Quality Saves You Time (and Energy!)
Similar to what I mentioned above, you won’t notice an immediate effect. On the contrary, the initial effort is higher. Selecting and purchasing quality items takes time, especially when you’re not used to it. You’ll need to first train yourself to recognize quality within the abundance of choices. But, mid-term, you’ll simply need to look for new items less frequently. Moreover, you have fewer things to take care of. Both can save you a lot more time and energy than you’d probably expect.
3. Preferring Quality over Quantity Supports Sustainability
When you love your quality items and take good care of them, they’ll last longer. Thus, they’re less of a burden for our environment compared to the usual throw-away stuff. This is especially true if you not only look for timeless and durable but also eco-friendly and ethically produced items. Slow, quality fashion is a good example. But also think of furniture, home accessories, tech items, food, or even quality travel. From my perspective, choosing quality over quantity is a good guideline if you aim to make more conscious and sustainable decisions in life.
4. A Quality Over Quantity Approach Reduces Stress and Overwhelm
Choosing quality over quantity means we have fewer things to take care of. Moreover, it can help to reduce stress and overwhelm in all areas of life. If you focus on a few quality items, activities, and connections, you’re less distracted. And this is good because distraction causes stress. An abundance of things, tasks, obligations, and choices tend to overwhelm us. We simply can’t have, handle, and be everything. The more options we have – and we have more than ever before – the more selective we should be. And choosing quality over quantity is a great rule to live by.
An abundance of things, tasks, obligations, and choices tend to overwhelm us. We simply can’t have, handle, and be everything. Click To Tweet5. Quality Brings More Satisfaction and Happiness
Food is a prime example of why choosing quality over quantity totally makes sense. Eating a small amount of high-quality, nutritious food is always better than eating small or large amounts of junk. Eating high-quality food will lead to better health and, as it’s more satisfying, to happiness. And yes, you can indulge in good food. However, indulging, savoring, or enjoying is different from binging, right? Just think of eating chocolate. One option is to mindlessly munch a whole bar of cheap chocolate while watching TV. Or sit down in a relaxed atmosphere, sip on a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and enjoy the multitude of flavors of a small piece of quality chocolate. What do you think brings more joy? By the way, this principle can again be applied to all areas of your life.
6. Makes You Care More
If you allow yourself to always choose quality, you’ll care more. The connections you’ve carefully crafted, the activities you’ve thoughtfully chosen – they become important. As are all the big or small things you’ve mindfully invited into your life. Thus, you’ll look after them, nurture, and take care of them. And yes, this takes time and energy. But these resources are well invested. Over the past years, we’ve almost forgotten to value and appreciate what belongs to us. From my experience, though, the way we take care of others and how we look after our belongings reflects how we take care of ourselves.
7. Choosing Quality Is an Act of Self-Love
Why again should you choose quality over quantity? Because you deserve it. Yes, I mean it. You deserve the best – the best people around you that uplift and support you, the best food to nourish you, the best of everything. Choosing quality definitely is an act of self-love. By not wasting time and energy on low-quality stuff, we can direct these precious resources to what actually matters to us. Inviting quality in your life is telling yourself daily that you’re worth it.
Does the Quality Over Quantity Rule Only Apply to ‘Things’?
No, absolutely not. It’s just easier to use ‘things’, in the sense of something you can purchase, as an example. But the rule applies to all areas, to everything and everyone you invite into your life (or not). Thus, not only ’things’ like clothes, furniture, tech stuff, food, etc. but also what you do for a living, how you spend your weekends, where you go on vacation, and so on. Of course, it also applies to your connections, to your relationships. Offline and online. It’s up to you to decide. Be it the clothes you wear, the books you read, or the people you spend time with, quality will always add more value than quantity.
And What Happens When We Go for Quantity?
Choosing quality means being more selective. On the other hand, opting for quantity leads to an overload of choices, making it increasingly difficult to make clear, quality decisions. Dissatisfaction is a result of it because quantity often doesn’t bring that contentment that we’re after. It’s more a glimpse of instant gratification. And more often than not, this makes us search for the next ’kick’. Moreover, choosing quantity over quality brings more distraction and eventually more stress into our lives. Mainly because we focus more on short-term means than on our values and what really matters to us.
How to Choose Quality Over Quantity
The way to choose quality over quantity (a.k.a. go for less, but luxe!) is to raise your standards within all areas of your life. However, this is easier said than done. First and foremost, you have to value yourself. Only then will you allow yourself to choose the highest quality people, relationships, mindsets, activities, and things. For some, this may feel natural. Others (I included) have to practice.
From my experience, there’s no quick hack to it. The way I did it was to make one decision after the other. I practiced making conscious decisions for nearly everything. What toothpaste I buy, which books I read, which soap I use, what I eat in a day, and where I purchase my food are just some examples. I’ve learned that creating a better life is a matter of valuing yourself – and making one quality decision after the other.
I’ve learned that creating a better life is a matter of valuing yourself – and making one quality decision after the other. Click To TweetAnd there you have it – seven reasons why choosing quality over quantity is always a good idea.
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I’d love to hear if and how choosing quality over quantity has added value to your life. What have you changed? What was the result? Let me know in the comments below!
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