How Owning Less Makes Me Happier - Living in a 20ft Van Full Time / As I wrap up the year and enter 2021 I find myself thinking about happiness more and more and how owning less makes me happier.

I started this journey of Story Chasing by traveling full time to gather more moments of deliberate happiness.

This is what makes me happy - living with less and traveling. This is my dream. Yours can be something entirely different.

The one thing that I believe any of us can do - no matter what path you are on for creating more happiness is to live with less and adopt a more minimalist lifestyle.

It all started when I downsized my living space when I moved to downtown Seattle in 2014 and into a 480 sq foot apartment. I got rid of the excess and only kept what I really needed to live, like a bed, a couch, a desk to work from, and all the bathroom, kitchen, and clothing essentials. I even downsized decorations so that I wasn’t moving things around all the time to clean and dust.

The freedom of owning less and living more simply in a minimalist life was thrilling. I had this feeling of abundance and peace that I don’t think I had ever felt before.

Fast forward to 2017 when I bought an RV and set out on the road - I again felt this complete sense of freedom, calm, and extreme happiness.

I realize the thought of downsizing so much can be challenging to our minds, but once you start - it becomes addictive because you start to live without the clutter that causes stress and anxiety and sometimes even more money to maintain.

I began to shift my focus from acquiring things to focusing on relationships, self-care, exploring lands, and enjoying the beauty around me.

My mind began to get clearer as if the physical stuff had been taking up space in my head.

The clutter was replaced with moments. With stories. Stories of traveling. Stories of people I met on the road. Stories of hiking, biking, motorcycling, whale watching, and so much more.

I got off the hamster wheel of buying stuff and instead traded it in for living in a van that’s 20 feet long and about 80 sq feet. This van is a mode of travel. It’s the only thing I own in this world along with the contents inside. It feels good to me knowing that my little van, my home on wheels, allows me to shift my focus to creating more stories.

This may seem like extreme minimalism to some, but you don’t have to go this extreme. This is how I chose to declutter, downsize, and live a happier life. You can start to downsize and declutter in your own space now. What are you hanging on to that doesn’t serve you or add any value to your life? Even more important, what are you keeping around that is toxic to your life and doesn’t provide space for you to live a happier, more fulfilled life?

Simple living and owning less is what makes me happier.

★ 🌟🌟Here's my Exclusive Members-Only Community: https://www.youtube.com/storychasing/join 🌟🌟

★ 🌟FREE COURSES:
Looking to transition to a full-time nomad, work remotely, and start a business on the road:
►🌟 Join NOMAD MENTORSHIP BOOTCAMP →→ https://www.storychasing.com/masterclass

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality:
►FREE Cheatsheet: https://storychasing.mykajabi.com/create-do-live
►Blog Post with More details: https://www.storychasing.com/how-to-turn-your-dreams-into-reality/

★ Free Mini-Course on Expenses & Budgeting for Travel:
►https://www.storychasing.com/rvexpenseminicourse

★ Tip Jar: https://www.storychasing.com/tipjar
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RECOMMENDED GEAR, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT:

Merchandise:
► https://www.storychasing.com/merchandise/

AT&T Unlimited/Uncapped/No Throttled Data Plan:
► https://www.storychasing.com/att

All My Gear in one location for you to browse:
► https://www.Amazon.com/shop/StoryChasing

Travel Programs
► Join Xscapers: https://www.storychasing.com/xscapers
► Join Harvest Host: https://www.storychasing.com/harvesthosts
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TOP VIDEOS TO WATCH:
"3 Years Full Time RV (MISTAKES, REGRETS, SURPRISES) Lessons Learned":
https://youtu.be/W8ZjZPYdiSQ

"VAN TOUR & VAN MODS Review of Hymer Aktiv After 2 Years of RV Life / Van Life":
https://youtu.be/batPBn-TqaA

"How to PEE Outside While Camping & Reduce RV Dumping / PEE Standing Up as a Girl":
https://youtu.be/yKMktqU2d2E
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★ Travel Vlog Season 4, Episode 45: Quartzsite, Arizona
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★ Seasons and Videos to Binge
Binge watch each season: http://bit.ly/StoryChasingSeasons
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★ Music Credits: https://www.storychasing.com/music (You get 2 months free and so do I!)

(FTC Disclosures: Some links I've provided I may receive a commission for referring the service or product and as an Amazon Associate/Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases at no charge to you. Any products/services I've referenced are only suggested if I've used and made the cut of "I love it". )

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#HowOwningLessMakesMeHappier #SimpleLiving #LivingInaVanFullTime