Most people move through life on a path they never chose. They wake up early, rush to work, and spend the whole day doing something that drains them. They sit around people they don’t connect with, taking orders, smiling through the stress, and counting the minutes until they can go home. But they keep going because they feel they have no choice.
We have built a society where buying things matters more than being happy. People purchase cars they can’t afford, clothes they don’t need, and gadgets that bring a quick thrill but no real peace. They work jobs they hate to keep up a lifestyle that was never meant for them. And the sad part is that many don’t even enjoy the things they’re paying for.
Most of this pressure comes from what others expect. Family, friends, social media, and society all push a picture of success that has nothing to do with the heart. Because of that, many people never discover what they were meant to do. They trade their dreams for approval from people who aren’t even paying attention.
The result is a life that feels empty. A life where you’re tired, stressed, and stuck in a cycle of earning and spending. When you live like that long enough, you forget who you really are. You forget what peace even feels like.
I once lived that way too. But when I came to Ghana, slowed down, and stepped into nature, the truth hit me hard: life was always meant to be simple. And nothing is worth more than the freedom to live by your own design.
Living the simple life starts with letting go. Most of us own far more than we need. We stack up items we barely use, and then we stress ourselves trying to maintain them. Every new purchase becomes another bill, another worry, another weight pulling us away from peace. Load shedding isn’t only about electricity—it’s about shedding the excess from our lives.
People buy cars beyond their means just to impress strangers who don’t care about them. They chase a lifestyle built on outside approval instead of inner truth. But all this does is lock them into jobs they dislike and routines that drain the soul. Real freedom comes from cutting down the extra and keeping only what adds value.
When you free yourself from material pressure, you get something that money can’t buy—time. Time to breathe, time to think, time to rest, time to grow. Time to rediscover the dreams buried under years of bills and stress. When you stop trading all your hours for money, you finally understand how rich life can be.
My move to Ghana has given me more mental strength, clarity, and purpose than I ever had in America. I never had mental health problems, but the peace I found here sharpened my mind even more. Being surrounded by nature and quiet has opened up new levels of focus. I create more, I write more, I draw more, and I feel like my true self every single day.
It’s not about running away from life—it’s about running toward the life you were meant to live. A simple life is not a poor life. It is a rich life built on freedom, joy, time, and a deep connection with nature and purpose.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS…
Most people will never taste real freedom because they are trapped by expectations. They fear what others will say if they slow down, change paths, or let things go. But you cannot live your life for someone else. Peace comes when you choose your own direction.
Start small. Get rid of what you don’t need. Stop buying things that control you. Release the pressure to keep up with anyone. When you do this, your mind opens up. Your spirit gets lighter. You begin to feel alive again.
Nature teaches us how to live simple and live well. When you sit outside, breathe clean air, and listen to the earth, your problems shrink. Your thoughts settle. Your purpose becomes clearer. Life slows down long enough for you to actually enjoy it.
I found that here in Ghana. I found a rhythm that feeds my soul instead of draining it. I wake up with gratitude. I create from the heart. I live at a pace that keeps me healthy, focused, and grounded. And I’m thankful every day that I made the choice to simplify my life.
If you’re tired, stressed, or feeling lost, maybe it’s time to let go and start fresh. You deserve a life that feels good, not just one that looks good. The simple life is waiting—you only have to choose it.
