3 simple reasons to start living with less

Living with less means intentionally reducing material possessions to create more time, freedom, and peace of mind. It focuses on experiences over things, reduces stress, and improves financial flexibility for a simpler, more meaningful lifestyle.

I grew up in a home where more was more. My parents, both maximalists at heart, valued experiences and things. Our home was filled with souvenirs, trinkets, tea sets and keepsakes each one tied to a memory, a moment, or simply a love of collecting. In the 80s of course material things were seen a status symbol; a way to show financial stability and affordability. Living with less was certainly not a thing!

As a child, I was no different. I hoarded newspaper clippings, carefully glued them into scrapbooks, and built collections of everything from keyrings to erasers. I found comfort in the things I owned, believing they made life richer.

But then I got my own home. And suddenly, I saw it all differently.

Creating a calm home

At first, I followed the pattern I had always known; bringing in decor, keepsakes, and whatever caught my eye. But with every new item, there came the responsibility of cleaning, sorting, and maintaining it. It wasn’t long before I realised that living with less wasn’t about deprivation; it was about freedom. With each item I let go of, I felt lighter.

I realised that my home wasn’t just a place to store things it was the space where my family would grow, play, and make memories. And I wanted it to be a space that felt calm and easy to manage, not one overwhelmed by clutter.

Discovering minimalism

I became fascinated by Scandinavian design trends and the ideas of intentional living and living with less. I wasn’t striving to be an extreme minimalist, no one-cup lifestyle here, but I did start to buy with more intention and start decluttering!

Now, I focus on bringing in only what we truly need and what genuinely adds value to our lives. The one exception? Kids’ toys. I still struggle with intentional purchasing in that department! But overall, we don’t have an overstuffed home. We have everything we need and our space is manageable. Cleaning is easier, our small home feels more spacious, and I spend less time sorting and tidying.

3 simple benefits of living with less

Since embracing a more minimalist approach, I’ve noticed three major benefits:

1. Saving more
   When you buy with intention, you naturally spend less. We’ve been able to save more, which means more financial freedom and the ability to book more holidays, theatre trips & experiences.
2. Quick & easy cleaning
   A home filled with only what we need (and love) is easier to maintain. Cleaning now takes us less time, and everything has a place, making daily life feel less stressful. I feel like I have more freedom not having to find time to clean as often.
3. More Time
   I have more time to focus on my personal values; my family and the little moments that make life meaningful.

Documenting

Now of course I have gone one step further. I have seen the benefits that living with less has brought to my home, my lifestyle and my family and now I am seeking the simpler life. As a marketing executive I know that most goals need to be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound). But the goal of simplifying my life is none of those. Its just me, setting an intention, and sticking to it daily to see where it takes me & sharing the results in my own little corner of the internet!