I’ve always struggled with drinking enough water. For the longest time, I drank very little each day and couldn’t seem to improve, until recently. I had been considering replacing my thermal bottle for a while, as it had become stained and difficult to clean no matter how thoroughly I washed it.

I’ve been hesitating on buying a new bottle because no matter how many I looked at, none of them met my criteria. Unexpectedly, I received a bottle for free. It’s not exactly what I had in mind, but it’s free, and honestly, who says no to that? So I’ve been using it anyway, and surprisingly, it’s been working out just fine.

What’s even more surprising is that this new bottle actually helped me drink more water. That made me realize a problem with consumerism, being drawn to the appeal of new. Even if something is still perfectly usable, we often grow tired of it after a while. Sometimes it could be in just a few months, and start looking for a replacement. It’s not that we need it, but the excitement that comes with something fresh.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying new things, but I’m starting to notice the difference between buying something out of a genuine need and buying something just because I’m tired of what I already have.

This is where I find myself in conflict with my new simpler lifestyle. It’s not only about owning fewer things, it’s about having a clearer sense of why we own it.

So how do we stop chasing that constant hit of novelty through buying new things?

Letting things rest. When I get tired of something I own, I don’t immediately replace it. I put it away for a while. Then, weeks later, I pull it out again. All we really need is a break, not a replacement.

An example will be my collection of bags. There was a time when I went through a phase of impulsively buying them. I’ve since decluttered a few, but simplicity isn’t about throwing everything away. Now, instead of buying a new bag every time I get bored, I “shop” my own cupboard, rediscovering what I already own and sometimes, I even forget that I own it.

There are definitely more ways to stop chasing novelty through buying new things, but I’m still figuring that out, taking into consideration that I only discovered this problem quite recently. As always, life is an ongoing journey of figuring things out.

In this fast paced world filled with constant distractions, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to keep up with everything around us, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. That is why I began slow living a few years ago, but this year I want to also embrace a simpler lifestyle.

Living a simpler life might seem like a distant dream, but it’s entirely possible. So here’s what I’ve been trying to do and how you can start living a less complicated life.

1. Declutter Your Space

A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. It’s no surprise that we feel more stressed and distracted in environments filled with things we don’t need. I’ve been declutterring my room by following a specific mindset.

• Keeping only items that makes you feel good or serves a specific purpose.
• Setting a theme – For me, it’s Pink, Black, White and Sanrio, majority being Hello Kitty and Kuromi.

By decluttering your physical space, you also declutter your mind by bringing in peace, clarity, and focus.

2. Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer things. It’s about owning with purpose. With a minimalist mindset, you stop acquiring things simply to fill space or keep up with trends. Instead, you focus on:

• Mindful consumption by only buying what you genuinely need or what brings you joy.
• Less is more. The fewer things you own, the less time you have to spend maintaining them.

A minimalist lifestyle encourages intentionality and helps reduce the noise that often leads to stress and confusion.

3. Live in Alignment with Your Values

Live authentically by focusing on what truly matters to you. Aligning your actions with your core values helps eliminate distractions and brings clarity to your decisions.

• Identify your core values by reflecting on what’s most important to you. It can be family, health, creativity, or something else. For me, it’s happiness and health.
• Make decisions that aligns with your values. This can help you avoid distractions and stay focused on what truly matters.
• If something doesn’t align with your values, maybe it’s time to let it go, whether that’s a job, relationship, or activity.

Living authentically brings more contentment and fulfillment, as you stop living for others’ expectations and instead focus on your own well-being.

4. Simplify Your Finances

Financial stress is one of the biggest contributors to feeling overwhelmed. I was that way until I started managing and tracking my finances.

• Track your income and expenses to ensure you’re spending in alignment with your values.
• Review your spending habits to identify areas where you can reduce costs and cut unnecessary expenses.

When your financial life is simpler, you’ll feel more in control and less stressed.

5. Slow Down and Be Present

Living a simpler life complements slow living, the lifestyle I’ve been embracing. In fact, just slowing down can simplify your life. Here’s how to embrace a slower pace:

• Enjoy every moment, whether you’re eating, walking, or having a conversation. Focus on being fully present in whatever you’re doing.
• When possible, take the time to slow down by doing things at a more relaxed pace.

By slowing down, you invite a sense of calm and deepen your connection with yourself and the world around you.

Living a simpler life isn’t about abandoning everything you love. It’s about choosing less of what drains you and more of what nourishes you. The goal is to create room for what truly matters. I am taking small steps every day to reduce clutter and align my life with my values. There’s definitely more to living a simpler life, but I have just began. As always, life is an ongoing journey of figuring things out, so maybe in the near future, I’ll figure out more about this simpler lifestyle.

For years, I’ve been trying to figure out what I truly want out of life, the goals I want to achieve and the lifestyle I want to live. I thought I had it all figured out, maybe only partially. Recently, I realized I’m still on a journey of discovery. I’ve tried embracing a slow lifestyle, but I’m now taking it a step further, to embrace a simpler life. It’s not just about simplifying, it’s about letting go.

Letting Go of Ambition

Part of this new approach is about changing my mindset. One major shift is letting go of ambitions. As a freelancer, I’ve always worked just to meet my monthly expenses, but I had other ambitions, to grow my income, travel more, and be a digital nomad.

That desire to “grow” and constantly achieve more has started to feel out of alignment. I’ve been traveling frequently with family and friends, but something shifted recently. I even turned down a trip I would have eagerly accepted in the past. I felt no urge to constantly seek the next adventure.

Stepping Away from Consumerism

In today’s world, where everything is just a click away, it’s easy to fall into the trap of consumerism. I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of this. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve made a conscious effort to change. I’m focusing on buying less, saving more, and being more intentional with my purchases.

As part of this shift, I’ve started decluttering my room. I’ve realized just how much stuff I haven’t used in years and probably will never use ever again.

Reevaluating Social Media

Social media has also played a significant role in this transition. I’ve realized how it creates a complicated mindset, so I deleted Instagram from my phone. It’s been a few weeks now, and it feels good. I still keep Facebook to see what my family and friends are doing. As for Tiktok, I didn’t fully give up, because I want to be more intentional with my social media usage.

Instead of mindlessly scrolling, I want to be conscious about what I see and how it makes me feel. I believe it’s possible to be mindful of social media consumption, just like it’s possible to make conscious decisions about purchases, even with the shopping app on my phone. It’s all about awareness.

I don’t know if I’ve really fully figured out and whether simplicity is the type of lifestyle for me, but life is an ongoing journey of figuring things out, right?