Minimalism, Frugality & FIRE: Slow Living, Early Retirement, and Letting Go of Perfection

I’m Lauren Theresa, a former trauma therapist turned content creator, and I share how minimalism, frugality, and slow living became my foundation for feeling secure after growing up in chaos and later untangling my identity through early retirement, divorce, and motherhood. I talk about my fourplex in Florida that supports my semi-retired life in Hawaii, how “Your Money or Your Life” and Mr. Money Mustache shaped my FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) mindset, and why I focus on simple spending and investing rather than chasing the American Dream. I also reflect on a past phase of strict “medical medium” dieting, the stress it created, and what I learned about cortisol, control, and health. I share how “Simplicity Parenting” is helping me reduce screen time, prioritize togetherness, and stay present with my kids while building a life of allowing, better friendships, and meaningful experiences. 00:00 Meet Lauren Theresa 00:28 Slow Living Schedule 00:59 Discovering FIRE 01:47 Simplicity Parenting 02:27 Why I Chose Minimalism 03:08 Identity Shift After Work 04:27 Health Journey Lessons 05:58 Flexible Frameworks 08:19 Nature and Friendship 09:10 Early Retirement Reality 09:57 Fourplex and Investing 11:28 Frugal Joy and Values 14:10 Allowing in Friendships 16:09 Gratitude and Goodbye #frugalliving #minimalism #slowliving

Added 23 Apr 2026