A job offer took me 9,000 miles away from home. I sold almost everything I owned and finally learned how to declutter.

My minimalism is a work in progress

Like many compulsions, my journey from maximalist to aspiring minimalist is ever-evolving. I have leaned into owning less, buying less, and focusing more on which companies deserve my hard-earned money and align with my values.

Now, after spending almost seven years in Indonesia, I’m preparing to move to another country in June. I still buy too many shoes as I am always experimenting with another “perfect pair,” but this time around, it feels less daunting because not only is my shoe collection smaller, but I also have less stuff overall.

It has taken deep introspection to get to this point, including unsubscribing from emails alerting me about sales, trying out capsule wardrobes, and doing no-buys, where I don’t buy unnecessary items for at least 90 days. I’m not so entranced by the bargain bin anymore. However, it’s still an ongoing battle, and — I think for me — it will be a battle for the rest of my life. But owning less means I get so much more out of my life.