how does adopting a 2020 minimalism mindset impact my 2022 trek domane r5 ride performance?

i've been trying to strip down my bike to the bare essentials lately.. sold the spare bottle cage, ditched the extra set of 11-32 cogs, even gave up the chrome handlebars for a plain carbon bar i read about the ultralight philosophy and thought less is more, but now i feel like something's off?? my frame geometry feels too aggressive, the ride feels harsher, and i keep wondering if my minimalist setup is actually hurting my cadence and comfort??

anyone else noticed that going full minimal on a road bike can make you feel.. less stable? i miss the little things like the small fender or the extra chainstay protector that used to smooth out vibrations also, i keep hearing about the "weight budget" trade‑off vs "aero efficiency"—should i re‑add a few components or just accept the trade‑off??

any advice or personal experience would be super helpful, especially if you’ve balanced a minimalist lifestyle with daily commuting or long rides tbh, i’m kinda stuck between wanting to keep my space clutter‑free and needing that extra comfort on the road lol.