A big reason you feel so relax is because you are not around your American friends. With a fresh start, you can be the real you. No more comparing! Good luck!

We just moved to Chiang Mai from Los Angeles and gave away more than 50% of our stuff. It was liberating, so could not agree more minimalism is a worthy goal. You seem to have figured it out earlier than me, but I’m getting there!

You nailed it. If you're coming here and you know it, start living a more minimalist lifestyle *now.* It preps you for a simple, wonderful life in Thailand. I spent more time and money moving things in and out of storage & getting rid of other things than they were worth. 20 trips to Goodwill etc. One suitcase and one duffle bag of things is all you need here. You can replace basics here at half the cost in most cases. And and bring your laptop. Less 'things' to worry about makes it easy to be "here, now."

Kat - You're simply the best!!

The other thing is it’s easier to live a minimalist life in Thailand because of the lower cost of living and also because the country produces more natural resources and grows more fruits and vegetables which makes everything within the country cheaper.I wish people would highlight this in there videos because the problem is much bigger than what an individual person choose and decided to do.In America everything cost,there is no savings anymore the dollar didn’t go further in our own country.And it happen conversely the cost of living went down for us in Asia while it went up in the United States,I’m highlighting this because it is beyond an individual persons control that’s why.But what happens on an economical level will effect us on a personal level eventually so it’s best to pay attention to what is going on before when it gets too late.

Success is when you get what you want. Happiness is when you want what you already have. Bravo on taking the road less traveled Kat.

Chaing Mai is a great place. Visited 1 time to continue learning Buddhist teachings from David Roylance. Beautiful people and culture.

I’m going to Thailand but I’ll be in the far southern part in the Trang and songklga area.And this area of Thailand you can live off of less than $1,000 usd a month.People need to explore other areas of Thailand because they do have more to offer than the hot spot tourist traps of Bangkok,Pattaya,Phuket,hua hin,koh samui,koh phi phi and krabi.Ill visit the hot spot areas with no problem but staying their long term no thank you.

Spiritual things that people need and spot on.Happiness is everything.Myself i am on my way to go there to Chiang Mai,because i see there is so much spirituality

Wish you happiness in good times in Thailand forever.❤

Get a mic or use your phone as a mic. Thanks me later. Cheers, where r u originally from?

I love the birds singing in the background. ❤

good on you babe,, best way to go,,,simple,easy..

❤❤❤❤❤love thailand .

More things = More stress (& waste)

to begin I haven't watched your video--had some sound problems and your voice was so low. All in all, Chiang Mai is one of my favorite cities. I'm 70, my wife and I retired to the Philippines nine years ago and are reasonably content, but still...Chiang Mai pulls to me somehow. I love the cuisine, the sensibilities and I wouldn't mind spending weeks there each year. Sigh.

Recovering from burnout. That's very real. I'm a public school educator and that's always on my radar. Have you shared how you make a livelihood now that you're living in CM?

Less is More sometimes 😊

A one bedroom house is totally fine with me.

Hello 🙋🏽‍♂️

I moved to Thailand 3 years ago. One of the biggest reasons is the culture in America is so toxic. I had just built a 5,600 sq ft retirement home and was miserable. Sold everything including cars. I can pretty much afford anything I want here but live in a tiny luxury condo in Bangkok and my monthly living expenses are about $1200 a month. Honestly it's even less but I don't want to give the impression Thailand is cheap. The ONLY things in Thailand that is cheap is small condos and street food. Everything else is very expensive like cars and clothes etc because of import taxes. There is a new rumor about the change in Thai tax laws for foreigners but I don't think it has any effect on USA retirement money but if I have to fill out tax forms here I will leave unfortunately. Minimalist life is definitely relaxing.

Hey, I'm retired in Chiang Mai and couldn't agree more and good on you for working it out at a young age. My fear for you is the "healthier" lifestyle lessons you've learnt in CM might be hard to live if you needed to go back to the West i.e. if everyone around you is in a rate race I'd imagine it might be challenging to eek out an income that affords you the CM mindset. I'm sure there are pockets of like minded people in the West, just have to look harder to find them. Best of luck, you sound like a really nice person.

Great video! A lot of accurate points! It’s tiring being in the rat race of the western world! I can’t wait to escape and find this mindset. Thanks for making such great videos!

I hate to bring this up but whats going on with the Taxes in Thailand lol

Five bedroom house!? Hah Hah Ha Ha . . . Who has the energy to clean a 5 bedroom house? Not me. I don't want to be a slave to the house. If it's a husband and a wife with two kids it's not necessary more than three bedrooms two baths house.

I would add one more. Be kind to people. Thai people are just more laid back and less judgemental. So much division, anger and hate going on in the west.

Bravo !