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I’m a millionaire & own a 22-bedroom house – but I decided to ditch almost everything I owned, it makes perfect sense
Click on the video to watch Gail talking to Davina McCall
A MILLIONAIRE who owned a 22-bedroom house has revealed how she decided to get rid of everything she owned.
Since ditching her belongings, Gail McNiell has an “amazing freedom” and now spends her time inspiring other women in their fifties to feel good about themselves.
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Davina McCall interviewed her on her , about her life which involved a corporate career and all her material wealth.
It goes on to show how Gail then embraced a “simpler life, packing only ten small boxes to begin a new chapter.”
Davina said: “Gail’s story is truly inspiring, a testament to her pursuit of real happiness and fulfilment beyond the material world.”
Speaking to Davina, Gail said: “I suddenly thought, oh, wouldn't it be amazing to get rid of everything I own? What am I doing?
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“You know, I've got this huge house that I'm maintaining, painting, and a huge garden. There's two of us.
“How long do you do this whole kind of groundhog day?
“Because there's so much more to life, and you kind of realise, well, I've got two beautiful cars, I've got this beautiful house, but I'm not doing anything.”
She revealed she had an ‘epiphany’ after watching George Clooney in the film Up in the Air in which he says: “imagine everything you own in a backpack.”
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Gail continued: “I don't remember watching the rest of the film, because I was so stuck on that thought of holding everything I owned in a backpack.
“You wouldn't be burdened, because everything you own, you have to take care of it, you have to keep it warm, you have to keep it clean, you have to protect it, and you have to stop people from stealing it.
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“Anything that's worth anything, you've got to take care of it, or you've got to get it insured, and on and on.
“And I thought, well, what if I don't own anything? What if I literally have a few clothes and things that I can't let go of?
“Imagine if you could put everything you owned in a backpack, how amazing, how agile would you be?
“You don’t need a lot to be happy.
I felt like I was fighting my hair. So I said I don’t need to do it anymore. I felt a sense of relief
Gail McNiell
“Every time I let go of all these things, I felt this amazing feeling of freedom.”
She now shares her story on YouTube and , and regularly creates content to inspire other women in their mid-life.
Gail first got the inspiration to start content creating after she couldn’t find any women to inspire her on Instagram.
She said: “I was flicking through Instagram, and it’s a place where you look for photos and inspiration.
“I said to my son, ‘I can’t find anybody that inspires me.’
“My son said you can’t find her, because you are her. You need to post it online. “
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She continued: “I started posting when I was doing my hair, it was pink at the time, and I stripped it white. Then I let it just go through.
“I felt like I was fighting my hair. So I said I don’t need to do it anymore. I felt a sense of relief.”
She now embraces her wrinkles and silver hair.
Gail added: “I didn’t expect anyone to follow me, but within a very short space of time there was 70,000 people."
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The fear of getting so many followers quickly put a "fear" into Gail which prevented her from posting.
However, many people got in contact with her to say how her posts had "saved them" and to now "stop posting".
How to live a minimalist lifestyle
ADOPTING a minimalist lifestyle can bring clarity, reduce stress, and create more space for the things that truly matter. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Define your why: Understand why you want to live a minimalist lifestyle. Whether it's to reduce stress, save money, or increase focus, having a clear reason will keep you motivated.
- Declutter: Begin with one area at a time. Sort items into categories: keep, donate, sell, and discard. Be honest about what you truly need and use.
- Adopt a "one in, one out" rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of an existing one. This helps maintain balance and prevents accumulation.
- Quality over quantity: Invest in high-quality items that last longer, even if they cost more upfront. This reduces the need for frequent replacements.
- Simple wardrobe: Create a capsule wardrobe with versatile pieces that you love and wear frequently. This reduces decision fatigue and clutter.
- Mindful consumption: Before making a purchase, ask yourself if it adds value to your life. Avoid impulse buying and focus on intentional spending.
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