Honestly, I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out—but I did it anyway because I needed a change. Life felt heavy. I was tired of the clutter, the chaos, and the constant pressure to do more and have more. Deep down, I knew something had to shift. I didn’t have a perfect plan, but I took the first step toward simplifying my life—and that small decision led to some big changes. Looking back, I’m so glad I listened to that little voice telling me it was time for something different.
Why I Quit My Job to Simplify My Life
In early 2023, I started a new job in Oakland, full of hope and excitement for a fresh chapter. But it didn’t take long before reality hit me hard. The daily grind was exhausting—I was waking up at 5 a.m. just to spend two hours stuck in traffic. After work, I faced another long, stressful drive home, often not walking through the door until 7 or even 8 p.m.
By the time I got home, I had nothing left to give—not to myself, not to my loved ones, and not even to my dog, Shadow, who patiently waited for me every day. My weekdays vanished into long commutes and burnout, and my weekends were jam-packed with errands and catch-up tasks. I felt like I was constantly running but getting nowhere. I was drained, disconnected, and deeply unhappy.
So, I made a bold move: I quit. Stepping away from the job and the daily chaos was the first step I took to simplify my life.
There was no clear roadmap—just a strong feeling that I couldn’t keep living the way I was. Some of my family thought I was making a mistake, but for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was choosing what was right for me.
My Plans for a New Chapter
Joining the Peace Corps had been a dream of mine for years. After quitting my job, I finally applied, full of hope and excitement. The process took nearly a year. But just three weeks before my departure, I was rejected.
It was devastating. I had already sold my home and downsized most of my belongings, ready to start a new chapter. I felt lost, but I didn’t want to give up on living a purposeful life.
So I moved to my backup plan: traveling the world.
To make it happen, I simplified my life even more. I let go of almost everything I owned and cut my expenses as much as possible. With limited savings, I knew I had to travel carefully. But I was ready for the challenge.
How I Simplified My Life
Once I made the decision to start over, I knew I needed to make big changes. My goal was to live with less and keep only what I truly needed. Here are the steps I took to simplify my life:
1. Clearing Out the Clutter
The first thing I did to simplify my life was go through every room and sort through all of my belongings. I asked myself what I actually used and what I could live without. If I hadn’t used something in months or didn’t truly need it, I let it go.
I sold what I could, donated useful items, and tossed anything that no longer served a purpose. It took time, but the process helped me reset and become more aware of what I really needed in my day-to-day life.
2. Downsizing My Living Space
Selling my home was the biggest—and scariest—step I took to simplify my life. The space had become more than I needed, and with it came constant repairs, upkeep, and extra bills I no longer wanted to manage.
Letting go of the house lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. It brought less stress, fewer responsibilities, and gave me the freedom to travel and live more simply and flexibly.
3. Reducing My Monthly Expenses
I took a hard look at where my money was going. Subscriptions, dining out, and impulse buys had to go. I created a simple monthly budget that focused on essentials. This helped stretch my savings and gave me more control over my finances, which was key to starting a new chapter.
4. Choosing to Live with Less
Another way I simplified my life was by changing how I thought about what I owned. I stopped saving things “just in case” and let go of the habit of holding onto items I might need one day.
This shift in mindset helped me focus on the present, not the what-ifs. It was a small but powerful change that made it easier to stay organized and live more intentionally.
5. Embracing a Slower, More Intentional Lifestyle
I also stopped rushing through my days and began taking things one step at a time. I let go of the need to do everything at once. This slower, more mindful pace gave me space to breathe, time to reflect, and the clarity to reset my life.
It helped me reconnect with myself and focus on what truly matters. I began building a lifestyle that matched my values and allowed me to put health, peace, and freedom first.
Closing Thoughts on Simple Living
Simplifying my life wasn’t about doing something trendy—it was about making space for what felt right. It meant clearing out the noise, quieting the distractions, and giving myself permission to live differently. The process took time, patience, and a lot of small choices, but it gave me a fresh sense of clarity.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stretched thin, know that you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Start small. Be honest with yourself about what’s weighing you down. And trust that even the smallest shift can lead to something lighter, calmer, and more meaningful.
