Adopting a more intentional lifestyle has altered my ideals in a multitude of ways. But on a day to day basis, when things might get chaotic, I sometimes wonder how much my life has really changed since becoming a minimalist. For some perspective, I started thinking about the things that I valued ten years ago. Specifically the things that I did that made me feel like I was living a luxurious life.

In 2007, I thought living a “rich” life meant:

• getting my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks
• buying the hottest new makeup products at Sephora and getting regular manicures/pedicures
• going shopping during my hour break at work, spending $150+ in that hour (when I only made $7/hr at my job)
• going out for dinner & drinks every Friday & Saturday night
• buying myself a Coach purse as a pick-me-up for a bad month
• getting Starbucks on my way to class
• living in an apartment with a big screen TV and a huge common area (that was $50 more/month than I could afford)

Today in 2017, I feel like living a “rich” life means:

• giving a hair a trim at home every 6 months
• buying a few natural makeup products once a year and going nail polish free
• meditating outdoors during my break (aka the kids’ nap time)
• enjoying an herbal tea and chatting with my husband every Friday & Saturday night
• writing expressions of gratitude as a pick-me-up for a bad month
• listening to NPR or a podcast on my way to class
• living in a house that allows me to save 50% of my household income

As a minimalist, living a “rich” life to me is no longer about having and spending money. It’s about valuing what I already have and working towards bettering myself. I may not be living the life that a younger version of myself, but I am living a life that the current version of myself needs.