Learn about a minimalist lifestyle and simplify your life.
Nowadays, you hear the word ‘’minimalism’’ a lot more often than a few years ago. It’s a growing trend, and no wonder why. A minimalist lifestyle has many benefits for many people and it isn’t (too) hard at all. This might go in the opposite direction of what you’ve heard. But believe me, it’s true.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word “minimalist”? I bet it’s white spaces with few decorations. Well, let me introduce you to real minimalism.
Pour yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy this full guide to the minimalist lifestyle and simplicity for beginners.
What Is Minimalism?
There are plenty of thoughts and answers to this question. One might say that minimalism is a tool for finding freedom, and another might say that it’s a lifestyle in which the simplest elements are used to create the maximum effect.
And both these answers are true. Minimalism is personal and thus different for everybody. Everybody has their specific reasons for adopting the minimalist lifestyle.
In my opinion, minimalism comes down to focusing on the important things and letting the rest go. By doing this you will benefit from the many good things that come with minimalism.
Benefits of a Minimalist Lifestyle
More Freedom in Life
Because you own less stuff, you won’t have anything keeping you grounded. You have more freedom in your living situation. For instance, you could sell your house in the city and move to a smaller space close to nature.
More Time
Some minimalists choose to work less and have more time to practice a hobby. They can afford to work less because they need less money because by being a minimalist you don’t buy a lot…
Yep.
I work 32 hours a week instead of 40 because I wanted to start this blog and my paychecks are enough for me to live on and save money. Of course, I am making a budget every start of the month, helping me control my money.
Less Stress
This benefit can occur in many ways. You may experience less stress because you’re working less. Or you can experience less stress because everything is simpler. Because your living space is simpler, it can get your mind space more organized. And that is incredibly valuable to feeling less stressed.
More Financial Freedom
I guess this one speaks for itself. You don’t buy many things, so you’ll keep more money in your pocket.
Better Relationships
By living the minimalist lifestyle, you are focusing on the important things in life. That includes friends and family for most people. By focusing more on them, it may improve your relationships
More Self-Confidence
As a minimalist, you won’t relate your self-worth to what you own. (Many people do this without even realizing it).
Less To Clean
You won’t have as much stuff and/or space to clean. This also saves you time.
Minimalism vs Simplifying
Now, this is a bit of a grey area. For me, at least. Many people say that there’s a big difference between minimalism and simplicity. And there probably is. But I, for example, am not an extreme minimalist. I don’t really care about what I own. I don’t own much, but I also don’t own very little stuff.
But here’s what I learned about the difference.
Most people that are focusing on simplifying, think that they don’t qualify for minimalism because they own too many things. And that’s pretty fair to think. Except there are no qualifications to becoming a minimalist.
Minimalism is focusing on the important things and eliminating the rest. For most people, it’s also about decluttering and having minimal possessions.
Simplicity is focusing on simplifying your life in many different ways.
It’s slightly different. If you want to know more about the difference, I’d recommend visiting The Simplicity Habit.
Minimalism Can Be Anything You Want It To Be
This is something that isn’t as clear to everyone, not even to people who are already minimalists. Minimalism is being misunderstood a lot. Not quite everyone knows what minimalism is really about.
Most people think that it’s a lifestyle with rather strict rules and qualifications. That you must deprive yourself of possessions. But this couldn’t be further away from the truth.
I always like to say that minimalism is anything you want from it. It doesn’t have strict rules. As a minimalist, you shouldn’t do things you don’t want to or deprive yourself of anything.
To most people adopting this lifestyle, getting rid (or wanting to get rid) of possessions comes naturally. Yes, they seek help from the internet on how to get rid of stuff. Whereas they do it because they want to.
Your well-being comes before minimalism. Yes, it’s good to challenge yourself, but you should never deprive yourself. Only do things you want to do.
You don’t even have to go full-minimalist. It’s okay if you don’t want to take this big step at once or at all. You can still benefit from this lifestyle, even if you don’t fully live it.
One other thing, every minimalist is different. Some are more extreme than others. You can set your own rules.
Qualifications To Become a Minimalist
Qualifications? Say what?
Yep, becoming a minimalist doesn’t require any qualifications. Of course, many people set qualifications for themselves, but this isn’t necessary.
Just like I said, you set your own rules. I think that if you think you are a minimalist, that you are. (Some people may think the opposite, but this is just my opinion). I think it’s more about lifestyle and mindset than about the things you own.
At the end of this post, you can read which rules I’ve set for myself.
Decluttering
With the minimalist lifestyle mostly comes decluttering. Decluttering your spaces and house, and by doing so, decluttering your mind.
But what is decluttering?
Decluttering is mostly defined as a collection of things lying around in an untidy mess.
Most of us have cluttered spaces inside our homes. We all have those things lying around ‘’just in case’’ or ‘’for when I need it’’. But chances are that these are things you’ll never use. And even though we know this, we still keep it.
But why?
We humans get attached to stuff too easily. We get attached, and it breaks our hearts to see it go one day. And it is exactly that attachment that you’re trying to avoid as a minimalist.
Decluttering is the process of getting rid of everything you don’t need/use. It’s the process that people look most up to. I looked up to it as well.
When I decluttered for the first time, I just had to shut my feelings off for a moment and not even think about putting things in the donation box. I made myself do it. I knew I wanted to, it just became hard saying goodbye to so many things.
So I didn’t even bother thinking it through. I just answered the questions:
- Have I used this recently?
- Am I going to use it this month?
If both answers are no, it goes. No more thoughts were given.
Living Well With Less
So the bottom line of minimalism is living well with less. Maximizing everything you can with and because of less stuff. I can proudly say that I am happier than ever, after adopting the minimalist lifestyle. Of course, this is personal and doesn’t go with everyone.
But since I’m living in a clean space without clutter, my head is less cloudy and more organized. I know what I want and what my values and opinions are. I feel good inside my skin, I know my self-worth and I’ve become more confident. All with the help of minimalism.
Before Becoming a Minimalist
As much as I can recommend it, minimalism, sadly, isn’t for everyone. For some people, minimalism negatively changed them. I don’t really know how or why, and I’m not going to read into it.
I just want to be honest and say inform yourself before becoming a minimalist. Make sure you really want it. Again, remember that your well-being comes before everything, including minimalism.
Why I Chose To Live a Minimalist Lifestyle
I chose to become a minimalist because of my future plans. I’m planning to go live in a van soon, so I can’t get attached to possessions.
Even though it’s still a year or two before I move into a van, I already adopted this lifestyle to save money and learn good shopping habits. I used to buy a lot. Whenever I liked something, I took it home with me.
So when I’m going to live in a tiny space, I can’t have this habit. I just can’t afford it space-wise. So, I’m already learning the habit of thinking every purchase through and to budget. My budget is mainly based on the rule: Every dollar needs a purpose.
So I give every dollar a purpose. Whenever I want to buy something that is not written down in my budget, I simply don’t buy it. And if I regret not buying it (which happens rarely), I wait and put it in my budget for the next month.
This is a habit that has really helped me so far and is going to help me in the future.
The Rules I Live By
To call myself a minimalist, I of course made some rules to live by. I made these rules a bit challenging for myself, but not too out of my comfort zone. Now that I’ve learned the ways to live by these rules, it’s become a lot easier than when I first started.
If Something Comes In, Another Thing Goes Out
Meaning that whenever I buy something, something else goes out. If I buy a piece of clothing, another piece goes into the donation box.
For my plants, it’s a little different. Only when one dies, do I allow myself to buy a new one. But then I forgot to buy a new one, which is even better.
Writing in My Gratitude Journal
Yes, I make myself write in my gratitude journal at least once a week. It’s important to appreciate what you already have and not to take anything for granted. Also, by realizing what you already have, you won’t crave other things.
Gratitude is really important in my lifestyle.
It’s Okay Not To Be Too Strict to Yourself
Living this lifestyle needs to be worth it. And it needs to be fun. If you don’t enjoy living this lifestyle, then it costs more than you get. Don’t aim too high.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you’ve learned something new about minimalism. And as you can see, minimalism probably isn’t what you think it is. It isn’t all white spaces and no decorations. Minimalism is what you make of it.
Are you a minimalist or thinking about becoming one? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below.
