The more the years go by, the more we surround ourselves with activities, objects, relationships and goals. But without realizing how exhausted we are. What if a happy, successful life was not about more, but less? So, how can we live on little and be happy? Here are 4 magical tips.

1 – Living on a shoestring means reducing your goals

We don’t always realize it, but we’re chasing a whole lot of goals.

Goals which, moreover, are not our own.

In fact, most of our goals are other people’s goals, those of social networks, films or advertisements.

Indeed, because so-and-so takes up yoga, meditation, minimalism or vegan food, we want to do the same.

And it’s normal. It’s even kind of cute. We want to do everything, everything well, just like everyone else. We’ve learned to react like that.

But are we really happy with our lives?

If we’re perfectly honest, we’d say we’re exhausted from chasing so many goals.

Goals that on paper look good, clean and healthy. But in reality, they don’t make our hearts beat with joy and happiness.

So, it’s time to live on little to be happy, and that means drastically sorting out our goals.

What do you really want? What really interests you? What goal would really invite more joy and happiness into your life?

In other words, what do you really want to do in this life?

Because there’s no point in chasing after lots of goals, without ever achieving them, with guilt eating away at you from the inside.

In fact, it’s time to dare to live small and move forward serenely behind a single objective, and one that makes us smile.

So, what’s it going to be for you?

My only goal this year, apart from work, is to read 300 books. Because it puts butterflies in my stomach!

2 – It also means reducing your needs

We live in a world where all around us there are ads inventing all kinds of needs.

We need to try that new food, we need to buy that new car, we need to buy that new piece of clothing… to be happier. That’s what the ads say.

And yet, if we were perfectly honest, is it the truth? Yes, in the moment, we feel a kind of joy, a strong contentment, especially when we buy this or that.

But after a few days, sometimes even a few hours, what happens? There’s nothing left. Sometimes, even worse, there’s regret and even anguish, because we’ve spent too much.

And, perhaps worst of all, we can’t afford all these things, and so feel a deep sense of frustration.

In fact, we think we really need all the things we’re shown everywhere, and it hurts and stresses us not to be able to afford them all.

That’s why it’s high time we made the decision to live lightly in order to be happy.

And to do that, we have to reduce our needs.

First of all, I invite you to stay away from commercials. Stop watching them. Watch less television, less social networking.

Next, always ask yourself when you feel a material need: do I really need it, or do I just want it?

Because living on very little really means distinguishing between a need and a desire or pleasure.

And it’s by making this difference that you’ll be able to be truly happy in your life, because you’ll stop constantly feeding frustration and stress.

3 – It also means downsizing

We’re constantly asked what we do during the day, evenings and weekends. And, have you noticed that we stress at the thought of answering: “nothing”.

That’s why we accumulate so many activities in our lives: meals all over the place, errands, appointments of all kinds.

But what if I asked you: are you really happy running around like that? Do you feel happy doing everything you do week after week?

In fact, it’s quite possible that you’re more stressed than happy in your life.

And that’s normal.

Because you’re doing too many things that don’t bring you any happiness.

So, now you’re going to have to learn to live lightly and reduce your activities.

Let me give you an example.

I used to think that to be happy, I needed to do yoga, meditate, go to the gym, go to the movies, see my family and friends, work, walk, spend time with my husband, read…

And then I realized that, yes, these activities made me happy, but that all of them combined put too much stress on me and so I didn’t really feel happy anymore.

So I sorted them out. A drastic sorting. A strange sorting, but a necessary one.

As well as sorting things out, I’ve also spaced things out. In other words, I’ve spaced out my sports sessions and even certain meals.

Because to be happy is to do less, but better.

4 – To live small is to live each moment more intensely

Yes, happiness lies in less, but better. And even in less, but more intense.

Indeed, when we have too much to do, we don’t really feel happy doing things anymore.

In fact, because we’re running out of time, we’re over-stressed, as our mind repeats, “Hurry up!”

And our heart is no longer in it. It no longer feels joy or happiness.

That’s why living lightly is the key to happiness, because we’re intensely present to what we’re doing.

And that’s what really matters.

Indeed, it doesn’t matter how many times you do yoga in a week, because if you’re not present to what you’re doing and therefore don’t feel anything, then it’s pointless.

It doesn’t make you happy.

In fact, it doesn’t matter if we have a nice car that goes fast, if we don’t enjoy driving in the moment.

It doesn’t matter if we have lots of books if we don’t take the time to read one. To really read it, to enjoy it.

Because life isn’t about going anywhere fast. Life is about being intensely here, in the present moment.

Indeed, happiness is not out there, later. It’s only here and now.

That’s why living small is the key.

So, are you ready to live small?

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to savor the present moment and be happy: 8 great tips
Discover How to be happy despite a painful past: 5 helpful tips

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Art of Simple Living: 100 Daily Practices from a Japanese Zen Monk for a Lifetime of Calm and Joy by Shunmyo Masuno

In this book, Shunmyo Masuno, a Japanese Zen monk, shares a collection of daily practices rooted in simplicity to promote a calmer, more joyful life. Embracing minimalism and mindfulness, Masuno guides readers on the path to a light life, encouraging a shift towards a more intentional and fulfilling existence.

A fundamental book on happy living that everyone should read once in their lives. Slow down your life and focus on quality rather than quantity.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself