Why Minimalism Matters

Moving countries again and again has taught me that having less is not about 'lacking'—it’s about moving with ease, both physically and emotionally.

When I read Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki, it clicked even more. He talks about how our possessions can quietly weigh us down. And I’ve felt that. Every time I pack up my life to move, I notice how much lighter I feel when there’s less to pack.

Comfort vs. Growth: Bye-bye Things

I love comfort. I love Japan.. the neat streets, the quiet routines, the late night public bath sessions I’ve grown attached to. But life keeps calling me to move, whether it’s back to Australia, which is always my home base, or to Indonesia, where I’m expanding my offices.

Each move means I have to say “bye-bye” to things. Sometimes it’s furniture, sometimes the routines I built, sometimes little souvenirs that once felt precious. At first, it feels like loss. But I’ve learnt that saying goodbye to things is really saying yes to growth. It’s about preparing your mind for what’s next, and making sure the comfort you build in the future is even better than the one you left behind.

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With minimalism, I’ve found a way to carry comfort with me. It’s no longer tied to objects. But, comfort comes from mindset, habits, and knowing that I don’t need much to feel at home.

Work Without the Weight: Minimalism in Time Management

Minimalism taught me that time deserves the same discipline as space. If I only keep the essentials in my luggage, then I should also only keep the essentials in my schedule.

Now I ask myself:

  • Does this task move me towards my bigger goal?
  • Does this meeting really need me, or can it be delegated?
  • Is this just busy work, or is it meaningful work?
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In Indonesia, I’ve been pouring my energy into growing my work, and to my surprise, it feels natural. By owning less and focusing only on what truly matters, I’m no longer weighed down by “stuff.” My energy goes where it belongs: to the students I support, the team I’m building, and the experiences I’m creating. Work without the weight doesn’t just feel possible—it feels joyful.

Lessons from Leaving Things Behind

Moving from Australia to Japan, Japan to Indonesia, and soon to the USA has made me realise something important: whatever I have to leave behind is not meant to be carried on. It doesn’t mean those things aren’t important, they were just not essential for the next stage of my life.

I even asked a friend in Australia recently to throw away some boxes I had left at their house. And I still need to return to Australia to sort out what I’ve stored in my garage. It reminded me that objects don’t always travel with us, but memories do.

And also bye bye gift.

“Be grateful for the feeling of receiving a gift, but that doesn’t mean you need to keep it forever. What truly matters is keeping the memory.”

No sorry, but thank you.

I used to be the kind of person who found it hard to throw things away. But lately, I’ve started to see it differently. Sometimes letting go makes the memory last even longer. Perhaps it’s true: to let things go is to remember them forever.

A Ship Isn’t Built to Stay Docked

“A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

Australia is my harbour, my safe place. But ships are meant to sail, and I am meant to move. Minimalism makes that possible—and habits, I believe, will make it meaningful.

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At the end of the day, I learnt that we're not defined by what we own. Character is shaped by the experiences we go through, not the things we keep.
Pretty bold but I have to let it go ;)

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