Minimalism + Bitcoin = happiness
I have been living this lifestyle for about 4 years. Everything I own can fit in a carry-on and a backpack (other than a box of childhood stuff at my mother's house). My expenses are about 10% of my monthly income having downsized to a small 35 sqm apartment. I bought a cheap/reliable car, paid in cash (my criteria was something that would last 2 years, good gas mileage and I wouldn't mind walking away from).
By doing this I can focus on the things in life that truly make me happy, last year I traveled to one new country a month. I don't worry about money like I used to. I will probably be able to quit my job in the next few years and do something I enjoy instead of just working for the money. And it has allowed me to accumulate bitcoins. Continuing this lifestyle will allow me to see the world and be independent/free instead of having to spend my life protecting my stuff.
Bitcoin does a lot to help with this lifestyle as I would not be able to be as mobile with gold, moving place to place carrying large amounts of gold across borders while I can carry my private key easily anywhere. I can always find a localbitcoins seller in whatever country I go to to get local currency.
The Less You Own, The More You Have (TED talk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKmpyYy14kWow, your story is awesome. You managed to get out of System and live in some other way, and it really deserves respect.
I wish I could live like that too. Unfortunately, the cult of consumerism is still strong in my mind, though in time I'm getting more and more unattached to material assets. Hope someday I'll be wiser.