How to Savor Life Without Chasing More Stuff
Most people go through life as if it’s something to be endured, not enjoyed. But life is short—so short that you should savor every bite, not just get through it. Too many people let their days slip by, stuck in routines, complaining, or just following the crowd. I see it everywhere, whether I’m grabbing a coffee at my favorite Italian café in Australia or remembering my time working at Disneyland Paris. Even in places designed for joy, people find reasons to grumble instead of celebrating the moment.
What if, instead, you made your life about sensations? Not about what you own, but about what you feel, experience, and remember. That’s why I’m such a fan of minimalism. My home and workspace are simple, and I sleep on a futon with my partner. The less you own, the lighter you feel. Every new thing you buy adds complexity and drains your energy and money. I’d rather have one great thing than a pile of mediocre stuff.
Think about it: when you’re old, you won’t remember the gadgets you bought. You’ll remember the time you went to Japan, the safari in Kenya, or the spontaneous road trip with friends. These are the moments that stick. If you buy a new phone, do it because it truly adds value to your life, not because everyone else has one. If your current phone works fine, keep it. Only upgrade if it solves a real problem or brings you real joy.
What I love about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.
— Karl Lagerfeld
Photos are a way to hold onto those life experiences. They freeze a moment that will never come again. That’s why I love taking pictures—not to show off, but to remember.
Prioritize Experiences Over Possessions
Every day, make choices that favor experiences. Prioritize your energy, too. Good sleep is key. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. You’ll need less sleep and feel better. When you wake up, start your day with something positive. I like to write for half an hour every morning, using a distraction-free device or just a simple notes app. Maybe you prefer a workout or a short online course. The important thing is to start with intention.
I use timers and routines to keep myself on track. For example, I set a timer for 30 minutes to write, then move on to breakfast at my local café. I use my smartwatch for productivity, not just fitness. Apps like Pomodoro help me focus: 25 minutes of work, then a break. When the timer rings, I stop, no matter what. This keeps my work and relaxation separate, especially since I work remotely and need to draw a line between my home and my coworking space.
Time-Boxing: The Secret to Getting More Done
Time-boxing is simple: set a fixed amount of time for a task, and when the time’s up, move on. This keeps you from getting lost in endless to-do lists or letting tasks drag on. If you have an hour to write, write for an hour—then stop. This method helps you focus on what really matters, following the Pareto principle: 20% of your efforts give you 80% of your results.
It’s like the law of Parkinson: work expands to fill the time you give it. Remember those school assignments? If you had two hours, you used two hours. If you had one, you finished in one. Compress your work, and you’ll get more done with less stress.
Sometimes, I go to a café with my laptop an hour before closing. The deadline forces me to finish my work. Or I race against my laptop battery—when it hits 10%, I wrap up. These tricks keep me focused on what’s important, not on endless distractions.
Plan Your Week for Maximum Impact
Every Sunday, I look at the week ahead and ask: what are the most important things I can do? What will bring the biggest results? Whether it’s earning money, growing my audience, or finishing a project, I focus on the tasks that matter most. Time is precious. Losing ten hours is losing ten hours of life. Use brainstorming sessions to figure out your priorities, and always aim for quality over quantity.
It’s better to have a perfect but incomplete product than a complete but imperfect one.
Make Your Dreams Concrete
To achieve your dreams, you need to see them. Vision boards, posters, or even just a photo on your phone’s lock screen can remind you of your goals. When I wanted to visit Iceland, I put photos of Iceland everywhere—on my phone, my computer, even my iPad. Every time I saw those images, I remembered to save money instead of spending it on something trivial.
Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking is a myth. When you give your full attention to a single task, you do it better and faster. Find happiness in your daily life, not just in future rewards. Don’t sacrifice ten years in a place you hate just for a distant payoff. Find balance and enjoy the present.
Batch Your Tasks
Grouping similar tasks saves time. If I edit all my videos on one Sunday afternoon, I get into a flow and finish faster than if I spread the work out. The same goes for chores like washing dishes—do it all at once, and you’ll save time and energy.
Get to Know Yourself
Spend time alone. Talk to yourself as you would to a friend. Developers have a trick called “rubber duck debugging”—they explain their problem to a rubber duck, and often, just by talking it out, they find the solution. You can do the same with your own life challenges. Don’t wait for someone else to listen; be your own sounding board.
Have a Clear Direction
Know where you want to go in life. Picture yourself a year from now—what have you achieved? Work backward from that vision to figure out the steps you need to take. Break big goals into daily actions. If you want to save €100,000 for a house, calculate how much you need to save each day. Brainstorm ways to reach your goal, whether it’s through your job, a side project, or offering a service.
Sometimes, it helps to get away for a weekend or a week, just to think. Leave your phone and computer behind, bring a notebook, and let your mind wander. New environments spark new ideas.
Build Your Identity Through Projects
Having a side project gives you confidence, pride, and sometimes even money. When you solve real problems for others, you create value—and people are willing to pay for that. You also build an identity and a sense of purpose. Sometimes, you even change lives.
The only limits that exist are the ones we set for ourselves.
Make Progress Every Day
Every day is a step toward your ultimate goal. Writing a book is just one word after another. Walking 20 kilometers is just one step after another. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big picture—focus on the next small action.
Even ten minutes a day adds up. If you spend ten minutes a day learning Italian, after a week you’ve done over an hour. Start small, but start now.
Key Takeaways
- Value experiences over possessions—they’re what you’ll remember.
- Use time-boxing and routines to focus on what matters.
- Batch similar tasks to save time and energy.
- Make your dreams visible and break them into daily actions.
- Spend time alone to reflect and solve problems.
- Build your identity and confidence through meaningful projects.
- Take small steps every day toward your goals.
Reflection
- Are you living for experiences or just collecting things?
- What’s one small step you can take today toward a dream?
- How can you make your daily routine more intentional?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Enjoyment #Life Experiences #Living Fully #Memorable Life #Money #Personal-Growth #Productivity #Tasks #Time Blocking