Five Years of Minimalism: What I Kept, What I Let Go
How turning 30, settling down (a bit), and real life reshaped my minimalist lifestyle.
Back Then: 20L Backpack, Full of Dreams 🎒
Five years ago, I was living out of a 20L backpack, moving across Latin America during the pandemic. Everything I owned fit in that bag, with a laptop, a toothbrush, and a stubborn belief that “less is more.” I wrote about a minimalistic lifestyle in the heart of lockdown in Cusco, Peru.
Looking back now, I’ve a lot of comments about this.
🔁 Revisiting my Old List
I reread my 2020 list. Some of it still resonates. Some feel naive.
A lot of parts haven’t changed.
The Myth of “Owning Nothing”
There’s a huge difference between staying in Airbnbs/Subrents and renting your own place.
• Airbnb nomadism: Everything’s provided (kitchen tools, lamps, adaptors, etc.)
• Empty apartment: You walk in and realize you don’t even have a fork.
Coming back to Brussels after Covid, I realized: to actually live, you need a few basics. IKEA became a frequent stop. Not for luxuries (ofc I’m just a simple guy😅) but just for a knife that cuts, a few plates and chairs for friends…
You need a few things that lets you live and host properly…
🏚️ Minimalism or Hidden Poverty?
When having less isn’t a trend, but a necessity
There’s a growing wave around minimalism, tiny homes, capsule wardrobes. And honestly, I get it. I’ve lived with very little. I know the peace that comes from decluttering your space and your mind. Minimalism can saving you a lot of mental space.
But the more I observe, especially in cities like Brussels, Paris, or during conversations with digital nomads the more I realize that some people don’t choose minimalism. It chooses them….
Let’s break this down.
- Some live in a tiny home not because it’s trendy, but because it’s the only option within budget.
- Some embrace “owning nothing” because buying clothes, kitchen tools or furniture is just too expensive.
And while the minimalist lifestyle is often sold as a conscious, curated life, it can, in some cases, just be a coping mechanism for financial pressure.
That’s an uncomfortable truth.
🧘 What I Changed since 2020
🎲 Board Game Baggage
During Covid, I went deep into board games. Every week, a new one. A hobby that helped me connect (while respecting restrictions) and stay sane but also left me with a mini-collection now waiting in my mom’s basement.
🎧 Music & DJing
Then came DJing. I started investing in gear: speakers, controllers, and cables. Quality matters, and this stuff is big.
So now? I travel with two bags. One small backpack and one slightly bigger. Still mobile. Still lean. But no longer extreme…
👔 From Polo to Business Casual
In my twenties, I could enter clubs, weddings, and offices with a single polo and one pair of sneakers.
At some point, I had to admit: image matters.
Now?
• The corporate world requires shirts and formal wear.
• Weddings and costume parties demand specific outfits.
I’ve made peace with the fact that some events ask for a version of you that dresses up. I just do it my way: clean, simple, enough.
🧊 Cold Climate Adaptation
I had to adapt to the North and harsh winters… Warm countries? Easy and light. Cold ones? It means heavy gear.
Your pants, jacket, shoes are thicker and bulkier. And finally, it takes up more room.
My trick? Thermal ski underwear. Lightweight, compact, and keeps you warm up to -2°C. That one layer saved me more than once.
🧘 What I Kept from Minimalism
Even with more stuff, some habits never left:
- I try to fix clothes before throwing them.
- I replace only when needed.
- I still believe every object should earn its place.
Minimalism, for me now, it’s not about the size of your backpack or how many socks you own. It’s about alignment. Owning things that serve my objectives and letting go of the rest.
And sometimes, that includes:
- A second pair of shoes
- A formal jacket for work
- A DJ controller that weighs 4 kg
And that’s still minimalist in spirit.
PS: Big up to my sister Mégane, who saved me every time I was moving out. Somehow, my whole life (minus the bed) always fits in her car. She’s helped me pack, load, and stay sane more times than I can count.
