Why Live More Simply? Because It Gives You Options

Ones you may not have if your life remains complicated

This week’s essay comes to you from a Berlin coffee shop:

It was supposed to come from Porto. But for the first time in 2.5 years of travel, I’ve been duped by the most inconvenient of travel issues.

Our flight was canceled.

Whilst we were supposed to be in Porto today in order to start our residency process (super excited about that), we’re still 2600km to the east sipping flat whites with the most hipster of hipsters on the planet.

Something that has swirled around my mind again and again since we heard we’d be staying a few days longer in the coolest of European capitals (seriously, I have no complaints on that side) is how grateful I am for the options my life affords me.

Frankly, this inconvenience isn’t especially inconvenient.

It’s not because we have plenty of money. And thankfully our extra hotels, transfers, meals, and flights have been paid for by Ryanair which is a relief because Berlin is freaking expensive.

More it’s because a simple life gives you options. Ones you don’t have with a more complicated life.

And whilst I am in an especially freedom-filled position - most people don’t travel full time with all their possessions in a suitcase - whatever your simple life looks like, I guarantee you’ve given yourself far more options than a life filled with stuff, excess, and complication.