Slow Life | Spend Less, Be Happy

Slow living isn't easy to begin with, but if you stick with it, it's worth every penny you don't spend.

[Leviticus]

I'm 25 years old, and I'm a truck driver. Here's the observation I made being isolated from society: most people you see in a public area you'll never see again, no one cares about you. Go to an airport or a Walmart. And just sit and observe. Look at the "diversity" of clothing and types of phones and apparel people wear. It's not a lot. Especially in the college/high-school age, you look at a group of young girls or men and they all have similar tastes or interests that makes them friends. It's sort of saddening when you realize it. Then you see kids and moms and dad's and the chaos of the airport or mall you're in and just think, no one around you will ever see you again, so what's the point of trying so hard to buy the newest phone or clothes when everyone else is trying to do the same as you. No one cares, unless you actively interrupt their day to seek human connections and even that today is limited because of technology. Just keep it simple and quiet and you'll realize life really isn't that hard. Repetition is boring yes, but chaotic random events always happening is tiring as well. You ain't going to bring anything with you when you're dead, so blessings to everyone who read all of this.

[adrianrose]

At 86 years old the big surprise of my life has been how little money you need to have a happy retirement.

[giovannidiplacido]

“The less you buy, the more you live”.

[damo]

I manged to quit smoking 11 years ago. I used alcohol and drugs for 30 years, for the past 2 years I was an alcoholic.
I am sober now.
Next will be consumerism!
Thanks 👍

[catherinemurray]

I choose to spend hardly any money so as a 57 year old I can work less. Having freedom and time to do my interests is better than spending money. I create my own path, create my own entertainment and create my own interests. Peace & love!

[simonfrancisluttrell]

I'm British, left the UK to live/teach in Burma about 22 years ago. When i the UK I had 2 big cars, 2 big houses, bank loans, credit card debts, and every kind of consumer item that you can think of! Now in my 60's, I have lived with the minimal of consumer items for years. Only my laptop and internet for entertainment and teaching online. I have zero debts. I rent a simple house hear to a beautiful beach in Thailand. I have an old Mazda car that has what I need in a car (1 engine and 4 wheels). I am totally at peace with my cheap and slow life :)

[janjohnson]

62 year old here. Retired from the NHS a year ago. Best thing I've ever done. My partner is on long-term sick. I love a simple life. I want to spend as much time with those I love including my cats and the hedgehogs who frequent my garden. We make do and mend, I make my own clothes, we grow veg which get processed into sauces. A simple life allows you to see the beauty of the world.

[ianjames]

I just started running at 53. I get out and my eyes see, my ears hear the birds and the wind in the trees, I taste the air, feel the rain on my face…….people smile, I smile. Never been happier.

I need to sell my belongings, I’m away in 3 years……retiring, travelling cheaply and running where I visit to interact with people.

Life is for living, not buying then dying.

[garethwatkins]

In the words of Seasick Steve
' I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left ' ❤❤❤

[Plumduff]

I found peace by being alone in nature. Humans are such a let down. Nature, exercise and a cuppa will do me until my end comes. Peace and happiness ❤to all.

[HealthHaven]

If you live in the past, you're depressed. If you live in the future, you're anxious. If you live in the present, you're at peace." Fuck, man. Spot on.

[tinasmith]

I have never fitted in anywhere. I am 66 years old now, I now feel comfortable not fitting in. It's quite liberating.

[chriscunningham]

“The secret to happiness isn’t having what you want but learning to want what you have”

[Hiram]

I'm a minimalist for the reasons you mentioned, but also it is a quiet protest against consumerism.

[woodlandbiker]

We are sold the lie that success is measured by the accumulation of material things.
Have little, want for little and have gratitude for what you do have. Gratitude is the key to happiness.

[waterydepths]

I finally came the same conclusions as you. Entering my 70's with very few "wants". Clearing out the house of "stuff". I don't need it. Seeking out the best places to walk my elder dog and enjoying his happiness.

[Frkdsnbrd]

In my younger days, I was a minimalist and frugal. I only bought things I needed and spent my free time hiking and mountain biking. I was happy. Now that I'm much older and unable to be as physical as before, I've been going thrifting buying things I don't need. I realise today that I'm simply trying to fill a void when I'm feeling restless. Now, I will remind myself everyday that I have all the material neccessities, and to fill my time by enjoying the outdoors again. I hope I can find contentment again by living simply.

[GenX-Trad]

Finally discovered this key to a peaceful life in my fifties…I can’t be angry with myself though, 20 year old me shopping at the mall wouldn’t have understood. Better late than never!😄

[bucephalas]

Just found your channel it is an oasis of sanity I'm 57 soon and find all I need is my music a good book to read a bike to ride in the fields and lanes where I live and I've never been happier.

[jimb]

I’m 71 years old and have been living a slower, simpler life for 20 years and describe it by saying that this period of less has given me the most happiness and peace of my life. The thing which is difficult is watching others spend to the point of discomfort and then further complicating their life by needing to expand income to cover their fanciful purchases. My rule is to consider whether a pricey purchase is a ‘tool’ or ‘toy’. Tools create benefits, toys create burdens.