8 Odd things I QUIT to simplify my life | Minimalism, slow living, self care

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From 'music and shows', to 'special occasions', to 'things that want me to get hooked'. Let's talk about some odd, unexpected things I quit since I simplified my life.

Lots of love,
🌼 Vera

VIDEO CHAPTERS
Intro 0:00
Entertainment 2:38
Special occasions 4:31
Discomfort 6:23
Replying 8:11
Free things 9:42
Self-deprecation 11:52
Penny wise, pound foolish 14:23
Getting 'hooked' 17:05

FIRST TIME HERE? Welcome. This is a place where you can get weekly tips and inspiration for living a simpler, happier and calmer life. With this channel, I want to give everyone the opportunity to take a little break, to get inspired and to take care. We deserve to. Thank you for joining our community and subscribing, feel free to say hi if you’d like!

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[cavasa]

Thank you for pointing out "don't save your favorite things for rare occasions" - I'll wear my favorite jewelries more as they give me so much positive energy.

[ΔιονυσίαΖερβού]

I recently realized i have cut down on nights out invitations and my life has become so much calmer and i and better rested!

[dostopitnow]

As a HSP I stopped watching television over ten years ago. I am not on any social media platforms except YouTube. I am a knitter and I do enjoy learning new techniques by watching tutorials. I started embracing slow living and minimalism about four years ago. The results of doing this has really helped me set boundaries. I stopped people pleasing and I have learned to appreciate my value with or without any one’s approval. I feel free and that is priceless. I really enjoy your channel, thank you for the valuable content.

[AlexisWaldhagen-Nordstrom]

'Penny wise, pound foolish' reminded me of my granny, who used to say:
*"I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things."*
Greetings to you, dear Vera, from East Frisia/Germany!

[smontone]

I stopping going out on the weekends. I avoid events, stores or even social gatherings. Saturday especially is my time. I want to use it to fill my cup, not empty it and doing all these activities outside the house just drain me. Yesterday a fellow parent at pick up from school time asked me if I was doing the Halloween festival the school was hosting- I told her no, I avoid people on weekends 😅

[BillyWhaler]

One tip from this channel that stuck was to “read for fun.” The productivity books start to blur and I noticed all the gurus blurb each others books and interview each other on their podcasts. So for 2025 - all old fiction. Hemingway, Twain, Steinbeck and Fitzgerald. Simple.

[JaneDoeDoeDeeOhDoe]

I quit planning "full" days. Now I plan half days to get things done. I used to feel that I wasn't as productive as other people and wondered what was wrong with me. I've since learned that I'm not the only one who can become overwhelmed from packed days. By planning half days, I have the freedom to make adjustments to my schedule as needed; that, and not having "full" days, means I get my tasks done. Sometimes if I have extra time, I use it to do other tasks, and sometimes I use it for down time. With more "free time" in my schedule, I'm actually MORE productive, feel good about what I'm accomplishing, and don't feel like a failure anymore. And I feel more relaxed and accepting of who I am.

[galaxy]

As an HSP and a recovering co-dependent who my entire life has had trouble saying "No" to invitations because I was so flattered and happy they asked me and I didn't want to hurt them by declining their invitation, I think I have finally taught myself that it is OK to say "no" and to do or not do things we don't want to do.
I will not be at a Rugby match today that a waiter in a restaurant I frequent wants me to be at. He said he is going to "hold me to it" that I attend this event. It would require me to do a ton of walking from my car to the field, and stand up the entire game as I don't have a folding chair to bring, (no bleachers there) and no cover to stand under, AND it will be pouring rain (100% chance of rain). At 72, my legs don't work like they use to.
Ten or twenty years ago, I would have gone and been cold, wet and miserable.
It's been a long road to realize I should put myself first.
Also, today is Saturday my FREE day!
Thank you for this video! It is very "cementing" for me. Is that a word? Probably not. 😂
Enjoy your Saturdays, everyone out there!
❤

[sl]

As a gen x, “saving stuff” was drilled into me. But times change. Now you rarely recoup any $ for things you bought. Eg. my $2000 ring is now only worth $400. I sold it bc although beautiful, it held complicated emotions for me. I’m proud I did it! I also love donating to my buy nothing group as it brings true joy to others and also to me much more than the stuff ever did. Thank you Vera! ❤❤❤

[zigm]

The thing I dropped when I started simplifying my life was listening to music. I found that sometimes it was just too much noise in my head and I don’t want to get bothered by earworms anymore!

[katiewright]

I noticed this for myself quite a while back regarding the effects of entertainment on my nervous system.
Now the entertainment that I consume, which I try to keep somewhat minimal, could be considered quite “vanilla” by many people!
I love all kinds of music, but I am very selective from every genre. I watch almost no “shows, ” and the movies I watch are generally uplifting and interesting. I never had any tolerance for gratuitous violence or anything that’s too physically graphic.
For the most part of these these days, my entertainment comes largely from YouTube! There is so much on YouTube that is interesting - if you are selective.

[deborahroper]

Vera, you look lovely as usual, but I just wanted to say that is my favorite way you wear your hair. I know you try different things with your hair and I love it braided as well. This is a very important message you’ve given us today.

[ellie]

This was so relevant to me re Duolingo. I was actually learning some Spanish until I was promoted to the Diamond League and have become almost obsessed with finishing in the top three. By staying up until almost midnight every Sunday night to get a head start on the next week I could stay at the top but at the same time feeling tired and stressed and not actually progressing with the language skills. This resonated enough that I am quitting the high competitive league and going back to actually leaning espanol. Thanks for the wake-up call. Ha

[sl]

❤️ love ❤️ how you identify and explain! I am an HSP kindred spirit and how I wish I had your wisdom 30 years earlier 😁 It took some dramatic life transitions and chronic illness to realize these great truths. What freedom now! If it is toxic (whether family, friends, ideas, activities, or stuff) it goes. I do my best to love, forgive, and strive with people, but sometimes you need to let people journey another path. Same goes with stuff. For every negative comment (yes that means my own too) it takes 8 positive comments just to equalize! Thank you for being a blessing and helping us to be greater blessings to others ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[lmarieschu]

I quit alcohol and cigarettes and my life is simpler without them.

[hemapentakota]

I stopped watching TV and movies since a few years. I realized that especially series keep us wanting for more and I can't have anything else control me. Though I still spend time daily on social media, I feel it's under my control. I set boundaries for it.

[Sable-un]

Hello from the states, I've been a minimalist for 4 yrs (an extreme minimalist for 2 yrs) and I find your channel to be so relatable. Thank you for sharing your insights with us!

[katherinepace]

Very astute insights. One thing I've tried to be more mindful of is "discount" shopping at the grocery store. I want to save money but stopped buying items just because there is a coupon or buying a certain number of items to receive a discount. I'm saving more money just buying what I know I need and am wasting less food as well.

[NintenJon]

Negaturity should be a word, haha! I’ve found myself lately restructuring how I speak or approach my thoughts and feelings when I journal lately. When we talk or write things down, we’re re-enforcing something into existence from our minds.

[Bats-]

Just the video I need right now as I’m in the process of trying to simplify my life ready to kick on into the new year 👊👍