Axel Radstrom embraces extreme minimalism, aiming to reduce his possessions to just 100 items for a simpler life
Stockholm: Axel Radstrom has been on a wild journey of minimalism for the last decade. He’s down to just 170 items and plans to cut that down to 100. Can you believe it? He’s ditched his sofa, TV, and even all his kitchen furniture!
Every day, Axel, who’s 36, is on a mission to declutter. He’s even thinking about moving to a smaller place. He donates stuff to charity or gives it to folks who need it. It’s all part of a growing trend where people are saying goodbye to materialism for a more fulfilling life.
Axel started this journey when he was 24. He was feeling pretty low, even with a nice apartment and a boyfriend. It just didn’t feel right. So, he began to let go of things to find a life that felt more true to him. He wants to live with as little as possible.
His inventory is pretty strict. A pot with a lid counts as two items! He’s got no furniture except for his bed. He eats on a cushion on the floor or at restaurants. And get this: the packaging from his food counts as an item too. He misses having art on his walls but loves visiting museums for inspiration.
Most of his 170 items are kitchen tools, but it also includes his toothbrush, passport, and a few other essentials. He’s all about saving money for experiences instead of things. He wants to see how far he can go with this minimalism thing and free up time for what he loves.
His friends and family sometimes don’t get it. They worry about him and offer to give him stuff. He appreciates the thought but explains why he chooses this lifestyle. When they ask about guests, he just suggests meeting at a cozy café instead.
Getting rid of sentimental items was tough, but he scanned his photos onto a USB stick. He doesn’t miss having a TV or a sofa at all. Living simply feels good to him. He’s even looking to downsize his apartment because it feels too big for him now.
Axel believes we live in a throwaway culture that doesn’t value things. He hopes his journey will inspire others to embrace a simpler life. He feels more alive than ever and knows that true happiness comes from within, not from what he owns.
