I often reflect on the last ten years of my life, and since I am turning 32 in less than two weeks, I have been thinking about how much my life has changed. I have lived in three different countries over the past three years—the UK, Latvia and Lithuania—and have moved five times in the last ten years.
One lesson I learnt after moving so many times is that I had accumulated far too many things. I kept buying items I didn’t need, only to throw many of them away each time I moved. It made me realise that I never needed that much stuff in the first place. Instead of making my life better, it made moving more stressful and my living spaces feel heavier.
Here are the ten things I stopped buying to make my life simpler.
1. Decorative Clutter
Instead of buying lots of small decorative pieces, I started choosing a few meaningful items that I genuinely love. Previously, each time I moved, I had a full box of decorations that didn’t go together and felt completely random.
Over the past four years, I have started appreciating different accents in my home instead: fresh flowers, candles, family photographs and books that I actually read.
My first home in Vilnius was a 20 m² loft, so space was limited. That taught me to appreciate fewer things with greater meaning. Here is an image of my flat.
2. Fast Fashion
Shopping used to be a way of coping with my feelings because it gave me a quick dopamine boost. Eventually, I realised I was buying clothes that I never wore, and I even started feeling guilty afterwards. My wardrobe became full, yet I still felt like I had nothing to wear.
Now I buy fewer clothes, but I choose better quality. I plan what I need in advance and avoid impulse purchases. Not only does that save me money, but it also keeps my wardrobe tidy.
Read ‘How to Build a Timeless Capsule Wardrobe‘ and ‘10 Things I Always Search for on Vinted (And Why You Should Too)‘.
3. Trendy Home Décor
It is easy to be influenced by beautiful homes on social media. However, many trends come and go, and not everyone has a large house or an unlimited budget.
I now focus on neutral colours, natural materials, decorating slowly and choosing pieces that have real meaning to me.
Read my article: ‘Why Baltic Homes Always Feel So Cozy (Without Spending a Fortune)’.
4. Cheap Kitchen Gadgets
Cooking is one of my favourite hobbies (see my Recipes page). Instead of filling my drawers with inexpensive gadgets that quickly break, I prefer investing in a few good-quality essentials, such as a stainless-steel knife, a wooden chopping board and a cast-iron pan.
5. Disposable Cleaning Products
I used to buy wet cleaning wipes all the time. They were expensive, created unnecessary waste and disappeared quickly. Now I use refillable sprays and washable microfibre cloths instead. It saves money and produces much less waste.
6. Duplicate Beauty Products
Skincare and make-up have been an important part of my life since childhood. As I started earning my own money, I found myself buying multiple lipsticks, eyeshadows and even mascaras. Eventually, I realised I couldn’t use them before they expired. Now I keep only the products I genuinely use and repurchase my favourites.
7. Impulse Purchases
Buying things simply because they were on sale used to be a huge weakness of mine. Today I follow three simple rules: never shop when I’m hungry, always use a shopping list, and wait at least 24 hours before making bigger purchases so I can weigh up the pros and cons.
8. Fast Furniture
I no longer replace furniture unnecessarily. Instead, I buy good-quality pieces that will last for years and choose neutral styles that fit different homes. I also consider buying second-hand whenever possible.
9. Excess Stationery
I love notebooks, planners and colourful pens. It is surprisingly easy to collect too many stationery items a few at a time. Now I limit myself to one notebook, one planner and one set of coloured pens, replacing them only when I actually need to.
10. Seasonal Decorations
I used to buy new decorations every season, which became expensive and wasteful. Now I reuse my Christmas decorations and enjoy simple decorations all year round: candles, fresh flowers, meaningful gifts from family and friends, and family photographs. Here is our minimalistic Christmas dinner table setup from last year.
Looking back, I don’t actually feel like I gave anything up. Instead, I gained something much more valuable. My home feels calmer, shopping has become less stressful, and I appreciate the things I already own so much more.
Simple living isn’t about having an empty house or never buying anything new. It’s about being intentional. I still buy clothes, home décor and little treats that bring me joy. The difference is that I buy them because they truly add value to my life, not because they are on sale or because everyone else has them.
Ironically, buying less has helped me enjoy more. I spend less time organising, less money replacing poor-quality items and more time appreciating the things that really matter. For me, that’s what simple living has always been about.
If you’re trying to simplify your own home and spending habits, start with just one small change. You don’t need to stop buying everything overnight. Sometimes, choosing not to buy one unnecessary thing is the first step towards creating a home—and a life—that feels lighter, calmer and more intentional. Read my articles ‘7 Things My Grandparents Never Wasted (And Why I Don’t Either)‘ and ‘7 Grandparents’ Money Saving Habits‘ to learn more tips.
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