Part Two: Less clutter – more clarity

‘People who live far below their means enjoy a freedom that people busy upgrading their lifestyles can’t fathom.’– Naval Ravikant.

Most of us spend a good proportion of our lives consistently chasing the next best thing, filling life and space with mostly meaningless stuff that quickly goes out of fashion. It also gives life to the belief that stuff = happiness. For me this couldn’t be further from the truth; but I did once buy into this lie, along with most of the population.

Until we receive a true awakening that there has to be more to life than chasing stuff and possessions – life may feel meaningless. We strive for better and newer, we will become ever more enslaved to always wanting more because one is never satisfied through the means of possessions. I suspect the rise of social media and seeing others’ lives through a filter can only exacerbate this perceived need or want.

Living beyond your means seems to be the norm but should it be?

I am making a conscious effort to embrace minimalist and the mantra of less is more, in all areas of my life. And only focus on the very few things that serve me; going back to the quote at the beginning. When we live below our means, it creates a margin for those big purchases that don’t necessarily appear on the monthly budgets such as replacing white goods.  It also makes allowance for unexpected job losses or changes in circumstances.

If our spending equals our income every month, with no margins this leaves one inevitability vulnerable. Living below your means creates the peace of mind that gives you the freedom that determines the quality of life. Sure, in principle this is true however I would challenge that at what cost? 

I close with this quote:

Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive – unknown.