Living with less

I grew up in a home where more was more. My parents, both maximalists at heart, valued not only experiences but also the things that came with them. Our home was filled with souvenirs, trinkets, keepsakes—each one tied to a memory, a moment, or simply a love of collecting. Back then, living with less wasn’t really a thing; having more was just the way life was. It was also a status symbol, a way to show financial stability and affordability.

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.

Living with less

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 realized that living with less wasn’t about deprivation; it was about freedom.

I soon created a 30-day declutter challenge. 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

That decluttering challenge led me down a path of discovery. I became fascinated by Scandinavian design trends and the idea 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.

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—probably a little more—but our space is manageable. Cleaning is easier, our home feels more spacious, and I spend less time sorting and tidying.

The benefits of living with less

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

1. Less stuff, more time
   Without constant clutter to manage, I have more time to focus on what really matters—my family, our experiences, and the little moments that make life meaningful.
2. Spending less, 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 prioritise experiences over things.
3. A calmer, easier-to-clean home
   A home filled with only what you need (and love) is easier to maintain. Cleaning takes 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.

Living with Less, BUT GAINING SO MUCH MORE!

Living with less isn’t about giving up everything—it’s about making space for what truly matters. For me, that means fewer impulse buys and more thoughtful purchases, fewer hours cleaning and more hours spent making memories. It means simplifying where I can so that I have more time, money, and energy for the people and experiences I love.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by ‘stuff,’ I encourage you to start small. Try a 30-day declutter challenge, reassess your buying habits, and see how it feels to create a space that works for you. You might just find that living with less gives you so much more.