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MINIMALISM 101: a primer in minimalism.

01. What is minimalism?

Many people are aware of minimalism as an aesthetic or even as a lifestyle, but above all I like to think of minimalism as a mindset. To me, minimalism has three different sub-categories that I’ll cover:

Physical

Physical minimalism is the actual stuff you own. The minimalist philosophy varies between people, but the general rule is to own things that you love and need–and similarly, to NOT own things that you dislike or things that you don’t need. Minimalism is very individual and it’s different for different people. If you’ve read anything by Marie Kondo, her philosophy is to only own things that spark joy. Some minimalists try only to own the things they really need.

Mental/Emotional

Mental minimalism is keeping your thoughts and stressors pared down. It’s about being more organized, less stressed, and more focused. It’s amazing how different minimalist techniques can improve your mental state. It’s about only focusing on and devoting time to the things and relationships that really matter. Emotional minimalism is about mindfulness and cutting out negative and anxious thoughts and attitudes. I know that’s easier said than done, but I found that simply the act of decluttering has helped me feel calmer and more purposeful.

Lifestyle

Finally, there’s minimalism in your lifestyle. That’s all about the way you live, from how you spend your time and who you spend it with to what you eat and how you travel. It means focusing on the things that you love and the things that are important so that your lifestyle is as meaningful as possible.

02. Why become a minimalist

In today’s materialistic society, it can be really hard to understand why someone might become a minimalist. I was like that too! Before I started to learn about minimalism as a lifestyle and a mindset - not just an aesthetic - I was a huge shopaholic. I had two bookcases full of books, a big stuffed closet and dresser, and a desk and drawer set crammed with stuff. My room was always cluttered and I was addicted to buying things. I ate out constantly and wasted my money. When I started my path to minimalism by decluttering my room, I instantly knew that this was the right thing to do. I’m very Type A, and being clean and organized has always made me feel relaxed and calm. Owning less stuff was a way to make sure that I always stay tidy. It also means that I only wear, read, and use products that I really love. My life is more intentional and joyful because of it. 

Additionally, the different types of minimalism can benefit you in other ways. Environmental minimalism benefits the environment (obviously). Minimalism with stuff can make your home look neater, more relaxing, and more aesthetically pleasing. Dietary minimalism has plenty of health benefits. And a minimalist mindset can lead to a more happy, intentional, focused, clear, relaxed, and productive life.

I know it sounds like a bold and unlikely claim, but if you’re feeling stuck in a rut and like there’s something not quite right in your life, research minimalism. It could be just the thing to try to help you live to your fullest potential.

03. Myths about minimalism

Myth: minimalists can only own _____ items.

There is no set number of things you should own. Most of us own way more things than we think we do, so don’t try to limit yourself to a certain number of items. Minimalism is different for every person!

Myth: all minimalists have a very stark, black and white aesthetic.

Nope. I love that aesthetic and try to embody it, but not every minimalist has that. Minimalists can still wear crazy patterned clothing, have coloured walls or furniture, or just in general incorporate colour and pattern into their lives. I think the reason that black and white (especially white) is so popular among minimalists is because they’re simple, relaxing, and classic, but not everyone likes that aesthetic. 

Myth: minimalists can’t have hobbies.

It’s a common misconception that minimalists can be hobbyists or have collections or things like that. This is totally untrue! If it makes you happy and sparks joy, then you should keep those items. For me, it’s books. Even though I got rid of probably 60% of my book collection when I decluttered my room, I still own more books than probably most minimalists. Because I love books, and that’s something I won’t compromise on. Additionally, if you have a lot of paraphenalia that you need for your job or for school, well, you have to own that stuff. There’s no minimalist police to call.

Myth: all minimalists are vegans.

Nope, not true at all! While many environmental and dietary minimalists choose to go vegan, there are plenty of minimalists who eat meat. Personally I’m a vegetarian. Your eating habits don’t have to change to reflect your minimalism if you don’t want them to.

Myth: you must become a full-on minimalist right away.

I’m still learning. I’m still on my path toward minimalism. I would say it’s impossible to become the perfect minimalist over a very short period of time because a) there’s no such thing as a perfect or ideal minimalist, and b) it’s a process. Give yourself time to get rid of things and figure out what you need and what works for you.

04. Your path to minimalism

I have designed a very simple, easy program for the beginner minimalist who doesn’t really know where to start. 

Step 1

Do a general declutter of your room. Don’t feel too pressured to get rid of a ton of stuff, but go through everything individually and decide whether to keep it or throw it away. After you’ve finished decluttering, put everything back in it’s proper place, and then thoroughly clean your room (vacuum, dust, wipe down surfaces, clean your bathroom etc.). This may take you a week or more.

Step 2

Set minimalist goals. I recommend choosing 1-3 goals from each of my categories below (under ‘Example minimalist goals’) and starting there. Write down your goals and track your progress to see how you’re doing with them as time goes on.

Step 3

Do plenty of research. While working on your goals and keeping track, you have lots of time to research. Check out some of my minimalist resources below to start. This may also be a good time to create some of your own, more specific minimalist goals that clearly state what kind of minimalist and how extreme you want to be. Make sure you take advantage of all of the information on the internet.

Step 4

Declutter again. I do my decluttering in “waves” until I finally feel that I’ve hit my perfect amount of items. This time, take a couple of days on each area of your room/house and focus on them intently. Try to be more ruthless with getting rid of things until you start to see your ideal minimalist space come together.

Step 5

Don’t neglect your mind and your health. Note any changes you see in your mental state as you begin to work toward a minimalist room/house. Remember to set mental and health goals for yourself often, because these are the things that will really make a difference in your mindset and the way you behave and react to circumstances.

Continue with this pattern of decluttering in small intervals. Keep going in these “waves” over a period of a few months until you finally feel this sensation of rightness that you’ve hit your limit, so to speak, and you now own the perfect amount of stuff.

05. Example minimalist goals

Environmental

  • Drink only from reusable water bottles
  • Use less water (turn off the sink when you’re brushing your teeth etc.)
  • Use less electricity (unplug appliances, turn off lights)
  • Go paperless (transfer essential documents to your computer)
  • Recycle/compost
  • Use products made from recyclable/compostable materials
  • Buy ethically and environmentally responsible clothes and beauty products

Decluttering

  • Declutter your desk, getting rid of non-essential items and papers
  • Declutter your closet, getting rid of clothes that don’t fit you, that are old and worn, you don’t wear often, or you don’t like
  • Declutter your bookshelf, getting rid of books you didn’t like and books you know you’ll never read
  • Declutter your toiletries/bathroom/makeup, getting rid of anything that’s old, that you don’t like, or any duplicates
  • Declutter general “stuff” and sentimental items
  • Declutter your digital space by deleting and sorting through your inbox, unsubscribing from mailing lists, deleting unnecessary social media accounts, deleting old files and organizing into folders

Health

  • Drink only water or tea, or simply cut out unhealthy drinks like pop and alcohol
  • Cut out toxic substances like drugs and cigarettes
  • Exercise more often
  • Get more sleep
  • Wake up earlier
  • Cut out red meat or eat less
  • Go vegetarian or pescetarian (eats fish)
  • Go vegan
  • Plan a healthier, plant-based diet

Mental

  • Meditate
  • Practice mindfulness
  • Find a self-care/destress routine that works for you and do it at least once a week
  • Keep a journal
  • See a therapist
  • Talk to friends about your feelings
  • Try to go a whole day without complaining
  • Try to look on the bright side/think positively
  • Build your self-esteem by complimenting yourself
  • Learn something new like a language, how to draw, or how to code

And those are only a few! If anyone’s interested in a full masterpost on minimalist goal-setting, just send me an ask to let me know.

06. Resources

Youtubers:

Books:

I haven’t read many books on minimalism but I highly recommend The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

Blogs:

Thanks for reading everyone! If you have any masterpost requests (about minimalism, school, or other lifestyle-related things) please send me an ask or a message any time and I will try to get to it!

Source: fineliners
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