Have you ever wished that your life was not so busy, so stressful, so complicated?

That there would be times where you could just sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of hot tea with your best friend?

There was a time in my life that I longed for that, but it seemed like a distant dream. I was too busy being caught up in consumerism and the pursuit of “more” … more, bigger, better.

I used to think that owning that big beautiful house, a brand-new car and designer clothing would make me happy… The more luxury items I acquired, the happier and more successful I would be… or so, I thought!

The Vicious Cycle of Wanting More

But the fact of the matter was, that for me, the pursuit of “more” was exhausting, even debilitating because it was a vicious and never-ending cycle. There would always be the next new thing the next bigger thing.

  • When would that vicious cycle ever end?
  • When could I just sit back, relax, and enjoy it all?

For me, this rarely happened. I didn’t give myself permission to slow down. I just worked longer and harder so I could buy more! 

Crazy, right? 

Fortunately, I started to ask myself these 3 life-changing questions:

1.   Why was I buying with such mindless abandon?

2.   Did all of that stuff really make me feel happy and fulfilled?

3.   What was I trying to hide… or what was I trying to prove?

The answers to these questions shocked me. 

They stopped me in my tracks. 

They made me realize that I was trying to live someone else’s values and dreams, not my own!

No wonder I felt so empty!

Steps I Took to Simplify My Life

Once I took the time to look inside, and get in touch with my own core values, my own goals, and what I wanted for myself and my life, the answer became crystal clear. 

I was longing for a simpler, more meaningful life with less stuff so I could have more time, money, freedom, and energy to pursue my own dreams and what mattered most to me.

That “aha” moment led to my decluttering and downsizing journey. It led me to challenge myself to let go of all of the excess stuff that was complicating my life, causing undue stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. 

During the process of downsizing and decluttering, I came to realize that the less I owned, the lighter I felt.

I was now free to focus on.

  • Creating memorable moments and experiences.
  • Nurturing and growing relationships.
  • Focusing on personal and professional growth

My Life Took on A Much Deeper Meaning

The overall quality of my life improved exponentially. I felt content, satisfied, and happier than I could ever remember.

My new minimalist lifestyle gave me the freedom to BE more, DO more, and LIVE more.

Whereas, my former consumerist lifestyle pressured me to consume more, own more, and to be someone I didn’t really want to be.

I must admit that embracing a minimalist lifestyle in a consumer culture is not always easy with the constant barrage of advertisements enticing you to buy more. It can be quite tempting.

But my journey to owning less, to becoming a minimalist, has allowed me to authentically live the life I dream of.

I don’t feel at all deprived of living in a smaller home, driving an older car, and making due with the clothes in my closet.

In fact, I feel empowered by the choices I intentionally make each day, guided by these core minimalist principles: 

  1. You need far less than you think you need.
  2. If you don’t need it, why buy it?
  3. If you don’t use it, lose it.
  4. When you own less, you value what you do have more.
  5. Always choose experiences over stuff!

Consumerism or Minimalism?

There is no right or wrong choice.

It’s an intensely personal decision that will alter the direction of your life one way or the other.

Ask yourself what kind of life you long for.

Be open, honest, and vulnerable. 

You only get one chance at life.

Why not live the life you love… By Design?

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