Minimalist Lifestyle

Living a minimalist lifestyle is all about keeping it simple and focusing on what truly matters in our lives.

I got interested in this topic a few years ago when I started watching TV shows and reading about it. It was like love at first sight!

I began to think about all the hours I used to spend cleaning and organizing the house and all the stuff we had stored away for years, most of which we hardly ever used. One day, while talking to my husband, I decided I wanted to start the process, and he agreed to support me in this journey.

I planned to take it step by step; no need to rush. Seeing other people’s experiences made me realize that trying to do it all at once could be overwhelming. I also realized this experience differs for every family, so I started the process without expectations or comparisons.

So, here’s how we’ve applied minimalism to our home.

Getting rid of unnecessary things

Over time, I realized that I had accumulated way more things than I actually used. It was getting almost impossible to find a place for everything! Keeping it all out in the open just added to the clutter. Since we live in a small place, we couldn’t keep accumulating stuff like that.

So, I decided to start reducing the number of things in our home by donating or repurposing them. I went room by room and took only one section at a time, like the closet. This way, I could organize without feeling overwhelmed.

Conscious Consumption

This was an eye-opener because. After all the organizing, I became more conscious about what I wanted to bring into the house. I didn’t want to return to accumulating stuff after all that effort! My craft drawer was one of the most challenging areas – I had everything to make anything! I realized that I spent a lot on materials for crafts. As I went through each drawer, I realized there were things I wouldn’t use anymore, and I started organizing with a different mindset.

I applied this thoughtfulness to every part of the house, from clothes and shoes to my daughter’s toys and in the kitchen. I found things that hadn’t been used in years! I started thinking more carefully about what I really wanted to buy and preferred buying better quality eco-friendly items if possible.

One thing in, one thing out

This concept helped a lot because once you start organizing, you don’t want to return to cluttering your home. So, whenever I brought something new into the house, I looked for something else to let go of. Like my new desk chair, I spent so many hours sitting on my computer that I started having back problems. I realized it was time to change my desk chair. When buying something, I had to consider where it would go, its usefulness, durability, etc.

Buying fewer things also positively impacts our finances on this minimalist lifestyle journey. Cutting back on unnecessary material purchases gives us the freedom to go on more outings with the family to places we want.

Mental Minimalism

Over time, I realized I could use the minimalism concept in other parts of our lives. We have so much clutter in our heads, which leads to constant stress.

What did I do? I got myself a planner and made sure to prioritize my daily tasks. One important addition to my to-do list that was often missing before was time for myself. Now I’ve got it right up there at the top. Taking time for myself recharges my energy, which positively affects everything, both inside and outside.

I also learned not to overcommit. This used to be a big source of stress for me. I used to want to do it all – helping others, working, getting the house in order, volunteering, socializing with friends and family, planning parties, grocery shopping, cooking, taking care of my pet, assisting my daughter with her homework… the list could go on forever. This was tough for me, but I eventually realized I couldn’t do it all. I didn’t cut everything out, but I trimmed it down to a manageable level so I could genuinely enjoy everything I do.

Lastly, I decided to declutter my phone by reducing some of those distracting apps that were taking up my time, especially when it came to what truly mattered, like spending time with my family. In today’s world, social media can be a big distraction. I’ve become more mindful about using my phone and computer, which helps me be more present in the moment.

I have a post that talks more about living in the present moment that you may like.

Choosing experiences over things

As we are journeying towards a minimalist lifestyle, I’ve noticed a shift in priorities. I’m all about prioritizing experiences over things. Through the years I have seen many material things come and go, but something that stays in my heart is the moments.

Take, for instance, a rule we had adopted at home: not to bring our phones to the table during mealtime. That way, we have a real, meaningful interaction with our family members.

A minimalist lifestyle is about simplifying our lives, both physically and mentally, and focusing on what truly brings us joy and fulfillment. It’s a journey, not a destination, and it’s about finding our own path to a simpler, more intentional life.