Goodbye, Things – Fumio Sasaki

“There’s happiness in having less. That’s why it’s time to say goodbye to all our extra things.”

“My definition of a minimalist is a person who knows what is truly essential for him- or herself, who reduces the number of possessions that they have for the sake of things that are really important to them.”

Goodbye, Things – Fumio Sasaki and My Kind of Minimalism

“I define a minimalist as someone who knows what is truly essential, who reduces their possessions for the sake of what really matters.”

This line from Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things stayed with me. His book isn’t just about throwing things away—it’s about choosing what deserves our time, space, and attention.

Sasaki writes about clarity: when you own less, you see more clearly. Not just in your home, but in your mind. It’s a reminder that if you do too many things at once, nothing gets done properly. The same goes for people—when you give your energy to everyone, no one gets the best of you.

One story that really struck me was about a woman who lost everything in the tsunami. The things she once cherished became dangerous debris. It makes you ask: what really matters when everything can vanish in a moment?

Another passage stayed with me:

“No matter how much we wish for something, over time it becomes a normal part of our lives… and we end up being unhappy.”

We all know this cycle: we wait for a new phone, a new bag, a new “must-have”—and weeks later, it’s just stuff. Happiness fades.

Sasaki’s answer isn’t rules, but freedom:

“Feel free to experiment and find your own minimalism.”

That’s what I love about this book. It doesn’t dictate one way to live—it invites you to find your own. For me, that means fewer clothes, less noise, less scrolling. And more: more books, more walks, more honest time with people I care about.

Minimalism, then, isn’t about austerity—it’s about presence. Saying goodbye to things so you can say yes to what matters most.