I began feeling cluttered in my own space. As if I were just going to get selfish or let people down. But I also learned that saying yes all the time wasn’t doing me or them a favor in the long run. I was too stressed, and overextended. I couldn’t continue to pretend like I had it all together cause am truly falling apart inside.
So part of the change is about establishing boundaries, letting everyone know that it won't always be a yes say!. I learned to say no kindly but firmly. I stopped spending on things just to please people or meet expectations I couldn’t afford. That change alone brought me so much relief. I wasn’t angry all the time. I didn’t dread every phone call. I had space to breathe.
Living with less also translated into spending less on stuff I didn’t really need to begin with. I had bought clothes just because they were trendy and ended up wearing the same few all the time. Donating the rest felt like lifting a weight off my shoulders. It wasn’t just about money it was about peace of mind.
The biggest benefit? Clarity. My mind is not so crowded now. I spend my time and money better. I mean before I say yes, not because I’m afraid to be bitten by a serpent, but because I want to be final instead of casual. I’d rather contribute in a meaningful way when I can, as, opposed to trying to be something for everything all of the time.
Having less is less about deprivation and more about making room for what matters. It allows me to save more, stress less and even fully enjoy on some of the small things in life. It means I don’t have to worry so much about a knee injury or a pulled muscle or an errant baseball when I throw with my kids.
If I have one thing to say, it’s this: Living with less doesn’t have to be extreme. It is really just about making your life feel a little bit lighter and truer to you. For me, I slimmed down on both stuff and commitments and I claim my sanity back and that’s worth it all.
I also found that this shift didn’t just change my home or my schedule—it changed how I felt about myself. I could be honest instead of the person who was always tired, always frustrated and had to hide it behind these classroom smiles. I could tell someone that I needed a break or that I couldn’t help with that right now, and not feel like a terrible fucking human being. It made me more authentic toward other person in the relationships.
Another thing I noticed is how much lighter my wallet felt. Not because I spent more—but because I spent less on things I didn’t even need. I began regularly setting aside small sums that grew over time.
In the end, living with less gave me back my peace, my time, and even my sense of self. And honestly? That’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.
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Check out my previous #KISS posts.
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