Simplify Your Life Today: A Journey Beyond Possessions

 Discover how embracing simplicity can free you from debt, clutter, and regret. Learn practical steps to start living simply today and find more joy with less stuff.

You know, there's this thing about life I've been thinking about lately - sometimes the stuff we chase thinking it'll make us happy actually does the opposite. Kind of ironic, right?

For most of my life (honestly, way too long), I was totally caught up in that whole "American Dream" thing. You know what I mean - bigger house, more clothes, latest iPhone, and basically all the shiny things everyone else seemed to be after. I was pretty convinced all that stuff would somehow make my life better. Looking back now though? Man, I wasted so many years running after things that didn't really matter in the end.

It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but I spent a lot of my life obsessed with getting more stuff. By the time I hit 33, our house was absolutely packed - furniture everywhere, closets bursting with clothes, toys scattered around, gadgets filling drawers, and just... so much junk we thought we needed at the time. What I didn't realize was how each thing came with this hidden price tag - not just money, but the time spent cleaning it, organizing it, fixing it when it broke, and just generally dealing with it. Our lives were slowly being eaten up by the very things we thought would give us freedom. Pretty messed up when you think about it.

Then something clicked, and everything changed.

We started getting rid of the extra stuff - like, a LOT of it, probably over 60% of everything we owned. And guess what? Instead of feeling like we lost something, we discovered this whole different life with way more joy, purpose, and freedom than before. Suddenly we had time for the things that actually mattered - faith, spending real quality time with family and friends, and even making some positive change in the world. We even found passions and interests we didn't know we had! That's when it hit me - all this pursuit of stuff had been robbing us of our best years all along.

If I could go back in time (wouldn't that be nice?), I'd definitely start living simply much earlier - maybe in my teens, or twenties, or at least when we first started our family. Because really, the sooner you embrace simplicity, the faster you get to experience all the good stuff it brings: less debt hanging over your head, less clutter making you anxious, more money for things that actually matter, more intentional choices, and WAY more time with the people who count.

Everyone's Path Looks Different

The truth is, finding simplicity looks different for everyone. Some lucky people learn it as kids from their parents. For others like me, it comes later - maybe during a tight financial period, or when moving to a smaller place, or just in some random moment when you suddenly see what actually matters in life.

Some people discover simplicity when they're raising young kids and realize they're drowning in toys and laundry. Others find it when they're empty nesters looking to downsize. Maybe you found minimalism through a book someone recommended, or a blog you stumbled across, or that Netflix documentary everyone was talking about, or just chatting with your neighbor who seems so peaceful and content with less. Some people get pushed into it by something major that shakes up their life, while others kinda drift into it slowly, one baby step at a time.

But honestly? No matter how or when we find it, the best time to start living simply is pretty much always right now, today.

Why Starting Early(ish) Makes a Difference

1. Better Habits Take Root

When we start living with less earlier in life, we develop these habits that shape our future in really positive ways. Instead of valuing stuff, we learn to value experiences. Instead of chasing status, we prioritize relationships. Instead of being obsessed with possessions, we focus on purpose. These habits become like the foundation for a life that keeps getting more intentional and fulfilling as time goes on.

I mean, think about how hard it is to break bad habits once they're established. The same goes for good ones - the earlier we build them, the more natural they feel and the longer they benefit us.

2. More Resources for What Actually Matters

The earlier we simplify, the more time, money, and energy we free up to invest in things that really count. Imagine having extra savings to help someone in need, or more free time to volunteer for a cause you believe in, or the energy to finally pursue that passion project you've been putting off forever.

For me, simplifying meant I could finally take those art classes I'd been thinking about for years. I'd always pushed them aside because I was "too busy" maintaining all our stuff or working extra hours to pay for things we didn't even use much. Pretty silly in retrospect.

3. Fewer Regrets to Deal With

One of my biggest regrets (and I'm being super honest here) is not starting this journey sooner. I wasted years and so much money chasing stuff that just... didn't matter. Only later did I realize they were actually distractions from what DID matter. Starting earlier helps avoid that regret and lets us align our lives with our values sooner rather than later.

I sometimes wonder where I'd be now if I'd figured this out in my twenties instead of my thirties. But I try not to dwell on it too much - better late than never, right?

4. More Flexibility When Life Goes Sideways

Let's face it - life is pretty unpredictable and sometimes throws major curveballs our way. Living simply gives us this amazing flexibility to handle change better. Whether it's switching careers, moving cities, dealing with health issues, or even navigating something huge like a pandemic, having less stuff and fewer commitments makes it so much easier to adapt and even thrive when things get weird.

I remember when a friend lost her job during COVID - the ones with simpler lives and lower expenses had a much easier time pivoting and finding new paths forward than those who were locked into expensive lifestyles.

5. Setting an Example That Ripples Outward

When we choose simplicity, it's not just about us - we kind of inadvertently inspire the people around us too. Our kids, friends, neighbors, coworkers - they see that we're living differently and seem happier for it. We show them through our actions (not preachy words) that a meaningful life isn't about what we own but how we live. And if we can show that to our kids early on? They might just grow up with values that protect them from the same materialistic traps we fell into.

My neighbor's teenage daughter told me she decided not to buy a bunch of new clothes this season after seeing how our family focuses on experiences instead of stuff. Small ripple effects like that make me feel like our choices matter beyond just our own home.

It's Never Too Late to Start

The awesome thing about simplicity is that there's no expiration date on starting - seriously, no matter where you are in life right now. Whether you're 20 and just starting out, 40 and established in your career, 60 and thinking about retirement, or 80 and looking to downsize your lifetime collection - the benefits are waiting for you the moment you decide to embrace them. But yeah, the earlier we begin, the more time we have to enjoy the freedom and peace that comes with it.

How to Actually Get Started

So how do we begin? Well, it doesn't have to be this dramatic, all-at-once transformation (though if you're feeling that energy, go for it!).

Start small. Maybe declutter just one drawer this weekend. Or cancel that subscription you never use but keep forgetting about. Say no to that commitment that doesn't really align with what matters to you. Each small step builds momentum and brings more clarity about what's important.

I started with just my closet - getting rid of clothes I never wore but kept "just in case." That one action gave me such a feeling of lightness that I was motivated to tackle the next area, and then the next.

What Simplicity Actually Looks Like in Real Life

I should probably mention that living simply doesn't mean living like a monk with bare walls and one chair (unless that's your thing, which is totally cool too). For me, it means:

• Having enough, but not excess
• Owning things that serve a purpose or bring genuine joy
• Not feeling stressed about cleaning or maintaining possessions
• Having space - both physical and mental - to breathe and think
• Being able to find things when I need them
• Spending less time shopping and more time connecting
• Having the freedom to say yes to opportunities that matter

Some days I still struggle - especially around holidays or sales when all those old shopping urges come back. I'm not perfect at this by any means. But each step toward simplicity has made my life noticeably better.

The Right Time Is Now

The best time to start living simply is now. Not when you have more time, or when the kids are older, or when work settles down, or after the holidays, or when you move to a different place. Now.

Don't wait for the "right" moment or perfect circumstances - they probably won't come along in the neat package you're imagining. Start today, even if it's just one tiny step. Create a life you'll never regret, one small, intentional choice at a time.

And trust me on this one thing - you won't look back years from now and think, "I really wish I'd kept more stuff." But you might just look around at a life filled with meaning, purpose, and the people you love and think, "I'm so glad I made the choice to simplify when I did."