Does anyone who adopted minimalism just feel free? Simply weightless from not wanting more stuff?

https://www.reddit.com/r/minimalism/comments/1izuier/does_anyone_who_adopted_minimalism_just_feel_free/

created by Fire-Philosophy-616 on 28/02/2025 at 00:06 UTC

236 upvotes, 21 top-level comments (showing 21)

My whole life all I wanted was stuff. I went to business school and got into a ton of debt to be able to earn more and buy more meaningless things. I took out as many loans as I could to finance a bunch of stuff I could not afford. I got eyeballs deep in debt to fill a void that I did not know existed. In 2019 I read a book called essentialism, I bought in immediately and never looked back. I sold all my stuff including house and expensive cars, got out of debt and only buy things that are essential to my life and usually when I buy something, something I already own has to leave. Honestly I never thought not having a lot could make me this happy but the peace I have is way more important than what people think. I could not be more grateful for this lifestyle. I was going to miss out on the best things in life for the pursuit of stuff. I am only posting this because today was an anniversary of being debt free and it got me in my feels.

Comments

Comment by Constantlycurious34 at 28/02/2025 at 00:13 UTC

53 upvotes, 3 direct replies

I am working back to minimalism. Also it helps me feel in control and less cranky. My family is from Europe and I almost laugh when I go into a Costco or see everyone with their 10 Amazon purchases a week. The consumerism kills me

Comment by Forsaken_Leftovers at 28/02/2025 at 00:50 UTC

36 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It's just liberating saying to yourself that materially I really don't *need* anything. As any human, on occasion i want something. but I trust myself that I purchase most anything with intention.

And it's crazy how living below your means just cascades into financial security. Is it really a sacrifice to live in a working class neighborhood and drive a used car into the ground. Not really.

Comment by tea-wallah at 28/02/2025 at 00:49 UTC

28 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Yes. I don’t know that I’m a minimalist, but I definitely don’t keep surplus anything. I keep what I’m using, and no more. Except bed linens. There’s one extra set for each bed. The best part of it all is how easy it is to maintain a clean house

Comment by paisleyhunter11 at 28/02/2025 at 01:43 UTC

26 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I found that deleting a lot of social media changed most of my "I Need!" to "No I dont"

Comment by TheWinterComet at 28/02/2025 at 05:00 UTC

18 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I live what could be termed extreme minimalism in my small apartment. I don't own a TV; no desktop of laptop computers; no furniture except for a small desk and chair, two stools at my kitchen's breakfast bar, and a tiny table for a DAB/Bluetooth radio; I don't even own a bed. I have a snobby neighbour who lives in one of the large houses near my street, who lives a materialistic smoke and mirrors lifestyle fueled by debt. She looks down on me, and even though I shouldn't, I do chortle at the way she's so blinded by status-seeking through consumption that she can't see I don't value the sort of life she leads. Her criteria for social judgement is at odds with my own view on living a 'good'' life. Imagine getting into debt buying needless trinkets in the hope it impresses mostly strangers? How much hard work and the constant anxiety that must cause. No thanks.

Comment by Constantlycurious34 at 28/02/2025 at 00:13 UTC

14 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Also, it doesn’t mean we don’t have quality items just excess

Comment by fomalhaut129 at 28/02/2025 at 02:28 UTC

12 upvotes, 1 direct replies

I think it’s nice in a way that it changes my train of thoughts when I want to be happy. It used to be that what can I buy today to make me happy? But not I think first what can I do to make myself happy? Sometimes buying things are necessary, but it shouldn’t be the default way of stress relief.

Comment by retsub89 at 28/02/2025 at 02:08 UTC

8 upvotes, 1 direct replies

Hell. Yes. And there's no way to describe the feeling to The Others. You just sound batshit 😂

Comment by Big_Pomegranate4804 at 28/02/2025 at 06:32 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I realized how often I think to buy something because it will make thinks “easier” but really doing the dull task of something is way more gratifying without needing more stuff.

Comment by retsub89 at 28/02/2025 at 02:38 UTC

10 upvotes, 2 direct replies

And no buy Fri Feb 28? Just another Friday to me lol

Comment by readmore321 at 28/02/2025 at 00:47 UTC

6 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Absolutely.

Comment by VIJoe at 28/02/2025 at 16:57 UTC

6 upvotes, 1 direct replies

It was an epiphany for me the first time that I felt that. About 20 years ago, I got rid of everything because I was making a big move. I was flying to my new home with one suitcase and a guitar in the hold of the plane. I had this incredible weightless feeling. Like I could move softly across the face of the earth and not be bound by anything. That freedom is still a driving force for this lifestyle all these years later.

Comment by NVSlashM13 at 28/02/2025 at 00:58 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Cheers 🥂 to freedom from the "4-letter-word" of STUF(f)!

Also nice to not be a victim to all the Buy! Buy! Buy! advertising, all the psych games marketers employ (and yup, marketing and tactics are part of the degree I earned). Nowadays, ads just disgust me.

Comment by TLW369 at 28/02/2025 at 01:00 UTC

4 upvotes, 0 direct replies

Yep! 🥰

Comment by ce-harris at 28/02/2025 at 04:37 UTC

5 upvotes, 0 direct replies

I just read this article about the Swedish term “lagom”. I think it relates to your feelings. https://bigthink.com/mini-philosophy/swedish-philosophy-lagom-just-enough/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4bc425d78644b3a972dc8

Comment by Working_Park4342 at 01/03/2025 at 04:46 UTC

3 upvotes, 2 direct replies

I lost my old dog last Saturday. I'm getting older myself and there will be no more dogs in my future. I picked up all of her dog beds and blankets and bowls and toys and treats... then I looked around. My house looks like a staged Air BnB. I have zero personal effects in the house. Nothing on the walls, no knickknacks, no stuff. And I live alone.

Suddenly, my minimalistic home feels very empty.

Comment by LotusHeals at 01/03/2025 at 18:29 UTC

4 upvotes, 0 direct replies

You make me proud. Good human!

You'll have a peaceful life.

Debt and consumerism, materialism, all cause stress in the long run, then sickness. Fuelled by media ads. All illusion.