I read Living Without by Romulae Gadaoni Jr. during the first month of 2024. It was a time of new beginnings, and it was fortuitous that this was the book that I had in my hands. I started reading it while I was stuck in traffic, thinking that it was a leisurely read. Little did I know that it was packed with deep but digestible nuggets of wisdom on minimalist principles.
I have already read quite a number of books on minimalism. While I did a lot of general cleaning and closet purges, I must admit that the impact of these books were short-lived. What sets Living Without is its holistic approach to minimalism. Unlike the other books which focused more on letting go of things that no longer spark joy, Living Without presents the reader with a picture of contentment. It is a mindset shift which focuses on being thankful for what is in front of you. It is a celebration of simplicity and saving money. It is a journey made with small steps. The approach that the author gives the reader is a marathon rather than a sprint. Inner peace and contentment with having a smaller space, fewer material belongings, and affirming your wholeness sound better than simply throwing things away and buying more.
Of course, it is difficult to maintain a minimalist lifestyle in today’s fast-paced world. This is the reason why the author includes financial tips on developing better spending habits which are relatable and practical. My favorite is making your own coffee at home. This may sound like a no-brainer, but spending hundreds of pesos for one cup of coffee has been draining my savings of late. This is a timely reminder that homemade coffee does the same job of waking you up while allowing you to use that money for more important things.
It was a treat to read Living Without, and I highly recommend this book to everyone!