story

I am passionate about human nature and a self-help junkie. I love to share everything I learn with those around me. For years, I talked the ears off of my poor friends and family about anything related to  self-improvement, so I decided I’d better just put the thoughts down somewhere. With a combination of my interest in people, and a few life changing events, that’s how Less of the Excess came to be!

I joke around and tell everyone that I think I had my mid-life crisis early. Ever heard of Saturn’s Return? I’m not necessarily into astrology but I related to the concept. Saturn’s Return is the idea that when you approach your 30th birthday (around age 28-30), you start to re-evaluate what is really important to you and your life seems to go crazy and you question every decision you’ve made. Astrologically speaking it’s about Saturn making its full rotation around the sun and returning to the position it was at your birth.

Read more about Saturn’s Return here.

To continue my story…

I wasn’t always very mindful of the way I lived. Every paycheque went to shopping for the latest trends or eating out. I’d spend countless hours surfing the internet, Facebook and watching YouTube videos. I didn’t spend as much time with my family as I should have. I was too focused on myself. I ate crappy food and I barely exercised. I was trying to impress everyone else, but I didn’t impress myself. So like most people, I wondered what else was out there other than just chasing every temporary high? I lived everyday blindly, unaware of what I was really doing to myself.

Saturn’s return all started with a breakup in April 2012 (my 28th year) with someone I was living with for 3 years. I lived a pretty charmed and easy life up until that point. I had everything I wanted and needed (or thought I wanted and needed) and I thought I was happy.

The most significant change for me was towards the end of 2013. It was announced that the amazing company I was at was going to be shut down. We were like a family. It was a place of many people’s dream jobs. Heartbreak was all around, and it was a true test of my emotional strength as I helped everyone get through it all (I work in Human Resources slash part-time therapist haha), while also trying to take care of myself. My body went through a lot of physical pain as well as my spirit. At the same time, I went through an intense heartache, that taught me that I really needed to focus more on myself, my needs and my wants, and not for someone else.

But I learned that bad things can be a blessing in disguise.

I had a month off before I started my new job, so I had a lot of time to reflect on things like the meaning of life, what I was here for and what really mattered. I started meeting and hanging out with people who lived life on their own terms. Lived it with meaning. Worked for themselves or were spiritually aware. A friend recommended I read the Celestine Prophecy and it changed my whole perspective on everything.

I discovered a bunch of Minimalist Blogs as well, which were in line with my new values. I realized that I had everything I wanted materially but I still wasn’t happy. I had a lot of clutter that was filling my time and space so I started slowly purging my belongings that had no use.  I only kept the things I really needed or mattered to me the most.

I was so liberated from something that was holding me back and I honestly feel like I’m now living at a level I never thought was possible. Like the material world doesn’t matter at all anymore. Forget consumerism. Who cares. On my deathbed what really matters?

The things that matter the most to me are the people in my life, giving back to others, pursuing my dreams, truly loving and accepting myself, my health and my freedom. All the preoccupation of the material world and keeping up with the Joneses is exhausting.

Needless to say, ever since I started living minimally and more meaningfully, the things and people that have entered my life have been exactly what I’ve been looking for. I am so much happier. I have the life that I want, and also the love that I want. New opportunities have opened up, and I’m doing things that I was always afraid of. I am more focused, and grounded, and full of joy and gratitude. I am so much lighter, and the little things don’t bother me anymore.

Don’t forget to check out the Less of the Excess Blog!