My Journey to Minimalism: Less Is More

By 2024, minimalism has become a fully integrated way of life for me. My approach is no longer just about reducing things; it’s about intentionality. I focus on decluttering physically, digitally, mentally, and emotionally to ensure that everything I do aligns with my vision for the future. I’m constantly reassessing what adds value and letting go of the rest. This has created space for new opportunities to grow, create, and connect in more meaningful ways.

One of the major changes I’ve made is creating my own simplified outfit. I now wear essentially the same thing every day—pieces that are versatile, comfortable, and functional. Everything is black (no, not boring!). The point isn’t to eliminate variety, but to reduce the decision fatigue that comes with choosing clothes each day. This simple habit frees up mental energy for more important things.

Minimalism, Doné Hieltjes Style:

Everything I own now fits in my duffle bag and a 97-liter check-in suitcase, with plenty of extra room left (I used to think I needed more space!). This shift in how I approach my possessions has given me the freedom to travel, explore new opportunities, and embrace spontaneity. It’s a reminder of how little we actually need to live a fulfilling life.

This year, during my time in Thailand, I challenged myself to downsize further, aiming for everything to fit in a carry-on suitcase—emphasizing mobility, flexibility, and freedom. It’s no longer just about the stuff I own but how I want to live moving forward.

The goal is simple: experience more, own less.

Update: December 2024 2.0. I’ve officially made the shift from a 97-liter suitcase to a very minimalist setup: just a carry-on suitcase and a duffle bag as my personal item. This marks a significant milestone in my minimalist journey, focusing on traveling lighter and more intentionally.

Reflection:

As you can see, I don’t own much. I don’t have a house or a car, and my bike is my dad’s old one. But I like it. It’s simple. Minimalism has freed me from the burden of ownership and given me more mental space to focus on what truly matters.

During my time in Thailand, I downsized even further. I donated clothes, sports accessories, and even gave away my Apple Watch. By letting go of just one item, I freed up more than physical space—I freed up time. No more charging or managing another device.

Minimalism isn’t just about owning less; it’s about gaining more time, energy, and mental clarity. It’s not about living with nothing but focusing on what truly adds value to my life—whether that’s personal growth, meaningful connections, or new adventures.

As I continue embracing minimalism, I create more room for the life I want to live. My goal is simple: when I return to the Netherlands, I aim to fit everything I own into my carry-on suitcase and duffle bag. After that, I plan to pass my suitcase on to someone who needs it. It’s a reminder of how little I actually need to create a life of purpose and joy.

In 2023, my minimalism journey took on a more intentional approach. Instead of trying to drastically cut everything down, I began noticing more clearly how many things I owned that I didn’t actually need. This realization led to gradual changes, where my focus shifted from simply decluttering to simplifying in a way that made my life feel more manageable and meaningful.

I didn’t overhaul everything overnight, but I continued donating clothes I rarely wore and letting go of gadgets I no longer used. As I reduced my possessions, I started to value experiences more than things. It wasn’t about perfection or extremes—it was about making mindful choices to create space for the things that really mattered.

I didn’t aim to live with just a few items, but I became more intentional about what I kept. I parted with a few old gadgets, some extra shoes, and clothes that had been lingering in my closet for far too long. It wasn’t a dramatic transformation, but it felt like a refreshing new start. The benefits of this gradual decluttering began to show—not only in my physical space but also in my mental clarity. By the end of 2023, I felt more focused and clear-headed, ready to take the next steps in my journey.

Minimalism in 2023 was about finding balance. It was about making room for the things that brought me joy, without putting too much pressure on myself. I wasn’t living in a completely minimalist way, but I could see the freedom it offered. It wasn’t extreme, but it was progress.

In 2022, I decided to dive into minimalism. At the time, I was feeling overwhelmed by both physical and mental clutter. I was constantly accumulating things that I thought I needed, but I didn’t find myself actually using or enjoying most of them. The turning point came when I realized I was spending more time managing my stuff than truly living. I felt stuck in a cycle of buying and organizing, thinking that having more would somehow make me happier or more successful.

The clutter wasn’t just physical. It represented a mental weight I was carrying—always feeling like I needed more, even if I wasn’t truly using or enjoying the things I had. My room, much like my mindset, was overflowing.

So, I decided to make a change. I started with small but meaningful steps: decluttering my space and letting go of anything that didn’t serve a purpose. I focused on removing excess clothes, gadgets, and random items that weren’t adding value. This wasn’t easy, but it felt freeing. It marked a shift in mindset, moving from “I need more” to “Less is more.” This change reshaped how I viewed possessions and space in a way that went beyond aesthetics—it became about intentionality.

By the end of 2022, I moved back to my parents’ house after finishing my studies and focusing on my entrepreneurial ventures (You can read my whole story here). This move was pivotal in my minimalism journey. It forced me to confront the reality of my belongings—getting rid of my big closet and my couch was a big step. However, I still had to make room for my accumulated items and old entrepreneurial projects, which you can see in the videos.

Minimalism was no longer just a concept—it had slowly turned into a way of life. Even though I wasn’t fully committed to it at first, it became about experimenting, finding what truly worked for me, and making small adjustments rather than committing to an extreme change. I wasn’t perfect, but I was on the right path.