Quality Over Quantity

Choosing Quality Over Quantity, How Quality Over Quantity Can Make You Happier, Less is More

Most people think of quality over quantity in terms of things but it can/should apply to all aspects of life.  The inherent value and sense of this principle is fairly obvious but somehow quantity still seems to be perceived as having more value in our society at large even though having more doesn't always translate into happiness. Sometimes less is more.

Choosing quality over quantity doesn't necessarily mean that you're choosing less over more but rather making better choices that ultimately lead to more satisfaction and fulfillment and a better quality of life. I've applied this several aspects of my life already and it has really opened up a path to a better sense of contentment and wellness overall.

Decluttering 
Decluttering our home has been profoundly satisfying in terms of order and organization as well as promoting a general sense of clarity. The concept of minimalism is intriguing but I wouldn't consider myself a minimalist. Rather I try not to own anything that doesn't fulfill a function or makes me happy.

No Thoughtless Consumption
This translates into being mindful about all purchases instead of just buying things because they're on sale or on impulse. It also means thinking beyond and measuring the lasting impact it will have your life. 

Living Clean
Last year we went through all our household cleaning and laundry products and replaced everything that had dangerous chemicals with natural and green alternatives. This was so easy and provided instant peace of mind. I'm also trying to clean up my beauty routine and replacing products as they run out.

Eating Well
I follow this Dirty Dozen List when shopping for produce and we only eat organic meat and eggs at home. We are part-time vegetarians which means no meat 3 - 4 days/week. I've also made a conscious effort to cut down on processed foods. My Instagram actually offers only a small glimpse into what I eat. The day to day isn't all that exciting and features a lot of lemons, kale and broccoli. I'm not going to give up pizza anytime soon and eating healthy most of the time allows me to keep on having it.

Buy Less, Buy Better
I've been shopping my own closet and mainly investing in higher quality items when adding to my wardrobe. That means nothing trendy and no cheap crap from sketchy Asian websites. And hey I'm not interested in promoting your crap either so please stop emailing me.

Making Key Replacements
We replaced our $40 hair dryer with a Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer a few months ago. Yes the one that cost $399. We read countless reviews and my enabler husband finally convinced me to just go for it during the Sephora VIB sale. While it was expensive, it has been worth it for how it has cut down on drying time which is big for both my husband and I since we both have very thick hair. And my hair has never been smoother, like zero frizz or static. With the combined number of times the both of us have already used it, we've already brought the cost per use down to $10 and it's only going to keep going down. I really dread washing my hair and the biggest reason is how long it takes for it to dry afterwards so I would say that this hair dryer has improved my quality of life because it makes me dread washing my hair alot less these days. Also the life span of this dryer is supposed to be 10 years and if that's true, I'll be even happier. Btw more expensive doesn't always translate to better quality. This would all depend on the item. 

Working Smarter,  Not Harder
Rather than multi-task which honestly never works out all that well, I focus on improving efficiency to complete tasks quicker. This is especially crucial for non-fun things like cleaning.

Digital Detox
I want to be present in my life and live it rather post about it. Studies have shown that depression and lagging mental health are linked to excessive social media use due to social comparison. I set up a limited schedule for spending time on social media and I unplug regularly from my computer and the phone. I usually cut off the electronics an hour or two before bed every night (this is crucial for sleep which is a huge priority). I also impose a social media ban during the weekend.

Letting Go
Maintaining relationships takes time and energy so I've let go of toxic friends both online and IRL. I don't think anyone needs attention seeking narcissists in their life.

Keep A Low Profile
I prefer to keep my private life mostly private online. Mostly because I don't want to compromise my safety. I don't care to be an attention seeking narcissist who constantly updates their Facebook photo just to get attention. And I don't need to constantly validate my relationship with my husband which is just fine thank you. I probably wouldn't even still use Facebook if I didn't blog.

Staying True To Myself
I stay true to my own interests rather than go along with what's popular. TBH half the time, I don't get why certain things or people are popular like a certain blonde actress who tries to act like she's so down to earth and real when she's super fake.  Feel free to guess who you think I might be talking about. 

Do What Makes You Happy
So I really enjoy K-dramas but I don't get the hype with Game of Thrones. My husband likes it but I don't try to watch it with him because I'm just not into it. I have friends who complain that they can't watch so and so show because their SO won't watch it. Well that's fine but that doesn't mean you shouldn't indulge in something just because your SO doesn't like it. My husband enjoys Game of Thrones and I would never ask him not to watch it because I don't want to. And he watches some K-dramas with me but not the ones he can't get into.

No FOMO
I don't give into FOMO.  I've always been one to do my own thing so I'd rather only stick with doing things I truly enjoy.  Personal rant: I really wish certain people would stop judging my husband and I because we don't drink. No we're not the ones with a problem and we honestly DGAF what you think. We never say anything about how much you drink and your borderline alcoholism.

How this translates to the blog...
I've always strived to maintain a certain level of quality in terms of content and presentation on this space and there is still room for improvement. Informational value is important to me and I'd like to expand into the topics of organization and wellness which I'm passionate about. This post and my guide to Makeup Expiration Dates are a starting point. I do feature PR samples from time to time and I will try to be better about spacing them out more. I don't ever want to be known as one of those greedy bloggers that only writes about stuff that I got for free. Yes I'm careful about only accepting products that genuinely interest me and I share my honest experience but I also want to delve deeper into my personal routine going forward. Beyond the blog, I'd like to think that I already practice this and I will continue my efforts to feature original content on my social media channels meaning quality content that has nothing to do with blog promotion. I mainly use Instagram to showcase my photography share bits and pieces of life in NYC and Twitter is for passing on interesting stories. I don't really see much value in following people who only ever promote about their blog and little else.

What do you think of the concept of quality over quantity? How do you put it into practice?

"The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

27 comments

Lilli said...

Morning Rowena! Cannot be more agreed with u and what u wrote, is something I started to apply last year and I hope to maintain through the 2017 too. I love that hair dryer, I want to get it as well but the price is still very high for me, I think u did very well! Love the last quote too. Have a nice weekend dear! xo

Anonymous said...

I agree 100% with EVERYTHING here! It's like you're in my head :-)

Jackie Harrison said...

You just remind me I have to declutter my attic and garage. Great post have a lovely weekend

The Dainty Dolls House said...

Agree with all of these...have been de-cluttering already!! I feel so much better when I do :) Happy weekend doll x

Beauty Unearthly said...

very helpful post! x

Pilar said...

Rowena this is such a great post, and I agree with everything you wrote! I've gotten rid of toxic people in my life as well. Have a great weekend!

Lena L said...

Happy Friday, Rowena! :)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject. I wholeheartedly agree with you! I finished my annual detox diet and sorted some things out for donation, etc. I am blogging more regularly now but that's only because I want to. So far I've turned out all PR inquiries which I don't think suit my blog. I am tired of receiving unwanted things just for the sake of blogging. Same goes for meaningless automatic(?) comments with full of links.

Hope you have a great weekend. Stay warm and safe! :)

Emmylou said...

Hear hear, Rowena! Such a relevant post esp. for the new year. I so agree with everything that you wrote, especially now since I have actually began my KonMari journey. It's almost scary how many things we have that we find attachment to, even when they bring now joy (ie. that$20 shoes we got in a bargain bin that tore apart after two wears, etc.) Now, I just really have to focus on better eating, esp. for the kiddos. Not an easy task coz they do love their junk food, but I've got to try:P
And I've stopped using Facebook for a long time, and let me tell you, I don't think I've missed anything. All I saw there were crazy updates about the minute details of people's lives!!!! Wut da hek?!?!?!

Oh my gosh! Had to google LJS after I read your comment....LMAO. That "speech" when he got the Daesang Award....I can't even. He looked like such a a$$hole for sure, and so different from the sincere speeches of PBG and SJK.
That scene in Minimalism when the guy read from the book did kinda make me LOL a bit, but what I really loved about that documentary is the interview with the other minimalists like that lady who did Project 333. I might start that this year...fingers crossed. And yay for Signal 2! Is it the same cast? So excited now too!
And I just saw half of ep.1 of It's Ok That's Love. It seems ok so far, but I think it's just because I love the leads:D I hope I do end up liking it.
Happy Friday, and have a great weekend!

Paola Lauretano said...

Totally agree! Such a great post darling!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself

Valerie said...

I completely agree with everything you said! Choosing quality over quantity is so important to life...I definitely try to live my life that way!

http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com

Shireen L. Platt said...

I 100% agree with everything that you wrote here and the same values are slowly being applied in my life. Well, not the vegetarian and easting healthy part, I still have a long way to go but on other things. I have taken a major step back for the blog and I am turning down a lot of PR samples as I plan on being very selective about what I write. I featured way too many PR samples last year and it's a mistake I won't make ever again.

100% agree with quality over quantity and I'm slowly purging out a lot of stuff too and am buying only products I know I will definitely love and use.

Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

Kasztanowy Domek said...

Great post dear! Kisses:)

xxBasia

A Very Sweet Blog said...

YESSSS! Rowena, I want to frame this post! This is so good! I told you before, you were my inspiration for decluttering my life when I started blogging. I started with clothes and shoes. When I re-did my home, I definitely adopted a less is more attitude. There's very little in each room and everything has a place. The busiest room is my makeup room, but I've created a place for everything. I still have to read those two books you and Emmy suggested. Several years ago I started deleting people out of my life. Both personally and on the blog. Some were not who they betrayed themselves to be. Others never had anything positive to say. There was one girl I gave a lot to and when I wrote her about a problem that bothered me in my life, she ignored it. It really hurt me and I left that "friendship". She resorted talking about me on social media, YET posted gifts I gave her on instagram (praising them, but of course not mentioning my name). I've found out about a number of bloggers. I keep a small list now of bloggers I communicate with. I continue to give (that hasn't stopped), but I don't get very close to people anymore. So that is why I cherish you. You've always been the same. ((HUG))
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Jane said...

I love your perspective and living and buying and surrounding yourself with things and people that make you happy and uphold your values. I try to apply it to my life as well - sometimes it doesn't go as planned but always trying to be aware and trying helps greatly. xx

Ivana Split said...

I got put off GOT series because of the all the graphic scenes, I think I only watched the two first series. The books have graphic scenes too, but the TV series focused too much on them- and it is hard to follow as it is with all the characters and everything. I like the books because I think they're good parallel with medieval European poetry ( I believe they are partly based on the War of Roses) and Martin is actually a decent writer.

Anyway, perhaps this series's been over hyped...it is a good example to use, because people often end up watching things (or doing things) they don't genuinely enjoy- and why should we do that when there are so many other interesting thing we could be doing? You're right in that we can apply this quality over quantity rule even when it comes to choosing what we will watch. I think we should watch only those shows and movies we really like. Often people just stare at screen for the sake of it- and today when most of us could use a few more hours of sleep, spa time or whatever, we should be extra selective of what we dedicate our time too. I think TV and movies can be very educational if we choose them wisely. Naturally, not everything we watch needs to be educational, sometimes we will watch something because we love it or because it relaxes us, a comfort food of the sort but what I wanted to say is that everything can serve a purpose- we just need to figure it out for ourselves.

Digital dotox is something we can all use! I think that constantly being on social media can one feel quite socially isolated- it is a paradox. I'm not against social media- obviously, since I blog and all that- but I do believe we should be careful how we use them. People share all kinds of things and it is sooo important to be comfortable with what we share. There is this pressure to share everything and not everyone feels comfortable with that....I for example don't particularly enjoy taking and sharing selfies, so I don't do that. It is good that you choose to do a digital detox on the weekends. Perhaps I should try that too.

I know what you mean when you say that Instagram accounts that exist only for purpose of promoting the blog feel empty. It is a bit boring when the content on the blog and Instagram is identical. However, I must admit that my twitter account is exactly like that, I only opened it recently and I have no idea what to do with it, I just post photos and links to my blog, I know it is lame but I don't have the energy to be active on yet another platform. Well, at least I don't expect anyone to follow my twitter account. :)

Quality over quantity is so important in food. I tend to like healthy food and I like cooking so I don't plan to make much changes in that department, but I think I could benefit from more exercise...again, quality is what matters. I believe that our exercise regime should be in accordance with our needs. It should be there to relax, not to stress us.

Gingi said...

THIS!!!! I love this.. and I need this for 2017. I am reworking my business, and almost all of these point apply in one way or another... - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

Jo said...

Thank you so much for this post Rowena! I guess I'm getting old cause I have to google half of your abbreviations. Lol! I agree 100% with what you're saying. Everything is so true, especially getting rid of toxic people and decluttering our closets. Oh how I wish you're here, so we can talk about what is important in life. I will be constantly referring to these tips. Wishing you a great 2017!

xo Jo

http://www.whiterosesandcoffee.com/

FASHION TALES said...

I have been doing many of these things and especially when it comes to blogging, I think you should always stay true to yourself. So, good for you for implementing these changes. I started last year regularly doing a digital detox sometimes weekly/monthly and many have noticed. It has improved my life and I never feel guilty because there is life aside from blogging, so many forget that these days. Happy weekend, Rowena!

Anonymous said...

Very nicely written. I agree with everything! I do like 'les belles choses dans la vie' but I also know what it is that truly matters in life and that being real is one of the most important things one has to do for oneself and for others. Have a great weekend.

ANOUK

ANOUK

Unknown said...

Wow great post ,its true quality should be reflected in all aspects of life

http://www.styleofzion.com

Gabrielle said...

You're completely right, this is something that could also apply to life itself, rather than just the things 'in' it. I can understand why you choose to keep your private life private, to some extent I like to do the same (travels are fine, but nothing too close to home or my personal life). Also, I love that you've listed not giving into FOMO; it's ridiculous to think everyone else is having a better time than you! Wonderful post as always, Rowena :)

aglassofice.com
x

Mica said...

This was such an interesting post, thank you for sharing. I think quality over quantity can be applied to so many areas of life, as you've shown here.

I'm also trying to spend less time with technology - especially with the two boys keeping me busy I need to keep my screen time to a minimum and maximise it when I do get to use it. I also would love to delete my facebook, and although like you I'm keeping it as I have the blog page I've often wondered if it's worth holding onto.

Hope you are having a wonderful start to 2017!

Away From The Blue Blog | 5 Year Blogaversary Giveaway

Margaret Dallospedale said...

FOMO? This is new to me. Very interesting post Rowena.
Have an adorable week
kisses
Maggie Dallospedale
Indiansavage.com

Carolina G. Ticala said...

A very nice blog, congratulations for your work!!!kiss 👌👌👌💚💚💚

Shyscout said...

I love this post. I struggle with quality over quantity and it is something I am trying to work on this year. It is so easy to get swept up in things you don't really like or need, and it is so silly and a waste of time and money. I am trying to be more mindful about this in all aspects of my life. I am moving this spring and am using that as an opportunity to declutter and start fresh. Thank you so much for this post!

Allison
www.shyscout.com

oomph. said...

i have been much better about thoughtless consumption. i was guilty of that in my younger days, but tend to think things through before impulse purchasing.

Sjaden said...
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