Archive for the Minimalism Category

NAVIGATION

How Long Does It TakeBecome A Minimalist FastMinimalist in Limited TimePrioritize Minimalist Goals

Something I recognized in my pursuit of minimalism is that the most vital resource is time. I think the saying ‘time is money’ has truth to it in the sense that time is valuable.

It makes sense to make sure where time is allocated is worth it. Some of the common questions I’ve seen from people who are interested in minimalism are time based. As a finite resource, it’s important to see how much will be used and how it will pay off.

Hi, I’m Ryan

Starting my simple living journey was one of the best time investments I’ve made. By minimizing extra stuff that wasn’t adding value to my life, I was able to live with more purpose and really appreciate what matters most to me. I was surprised at how little time it took to get started.

How Long Does It Take To Become A Minimalist?

For most people, it takes 1-2 years to fully transition to a minimalist lifestyle. When I started my minimalist journey, it took me 2-3 months to start seeing the benefits of the decluttering, intentionality, and mindfulness.

I notice that people often want something to work toward, an end goal of sorts, but an important thing to note is that minimalism is more of a journey, not a destination.

One of the great appeals of minimalism is that the process itself is extremely rewarding.

For me, I began making the transition to minimalism once I reflected on where I was in life—a young adult in a recession weighed down by debt—and where I wanted to be—financially free and not tied down by my possessions.

While searching for a way to make what I wanted a reality, I saw a picture of a tiny home. I realized that significantly downsizing my surroundings could help make my dream a reality. So I created a tiny home of my own, and shrank the volume of my possessions to match.

Over more than a decade later, I can firmly say that the time I devoted to the transition to minimalism has majorly paid off, both short and long-term. As I minimized my physical items, I could focus more on the relationships in my life, and found more security in my finances.

Becoming a minimalist takes time. It can’t happen overnight, and it is an ongoing process.

How To Become A Minimalist Fast

The quickest way to become a minimalist is to just get started. Sure, a lot of planning could go into this process, but the fastest way to get a jump on this journey is to start doing. Grab a box and start filling it up with odd ends that found their way to your kitchen junk drawer or old clothes you haven’t worn in the past six months.

Minimalism is a progressive journey, and the timeline is different for everyone.

How to Become A Minimalist in 7 days

Seven days may feel fleeting, but with focused energy and carefully managed time, a lot can get done. I’m a big believer that actions done with intention produce fruitful results.

This seven day timeline works by tackling a different space each day. Start with the areas that have fewer sentimental items, so there’s time to get into the swing of decluttering without distraction or reservation.

Become A Minimalist in 7 days

• Day 1: Kitchen
• Day 2: Dining Room
• Day 3: Living Room
• Day 4: Bedroom
• Day 5: Bathrooms
• Day 6: Car
• Day 7: Storage/ Laundry Room

Becoming A Minimalist in 14 days

With two weeks to work with, there’s a little more flexibility that gives the decluttering process some breathing room. Sure, it takes a bit longer and stretches out the initial stage of minimizing, but it gives some leeway for serious organization. Once I’m done decluttering, I like to give attention to what I bring into the home and make sure I create a routine that encourages me to declutter again and again.

Become A Minimalist in 14 days

• Days 1-2: Kitchen
• Days 2-4: Dining Room
• Days 5-6: Living Room
• Days 7-8: Bedroom
• Days 9-10: Bathrooms
• Days 11-12: Storage and Laundry Room
• Days 13-14: Car and Garage

How to Become A Minimalist In 30 days

Minimalism While Juggling A Busy Schedule

The transition to minimalism doesn’t have to happen fast and furiously. Let’s face it, not everyone has an uninterrupted week to dedicate to serious decluttering.

I have a friend who took the long route to becoming a minimalist. With a busy schedule between work and side passions, he didn’t feel that he could dedicate a full week or two to really remove all the clutter from his house.

Instead, he decided to fill one bag daily with stuff he didn’t need. Over the course of six months, he was able to clear out a substantial amount of clutter from his home and see how his mindset toward buying things had changed. He realized he wanted peace and less clutter more than impulse purchases.

How To Prioritize Time For Your Minimalist Goals

Making time to work on the minimalist process is essential to progressing in a minimalist lifestyle. If there isn’t a constant motivator or reminder to stay on track during this transition, it’ll be easy to do anything else on your never ending to do lists. Get an accountability buddy to keep you on schedule.

Paths to improvement aren’t always a straight line, so if there is a slip-up or a lull in the process, it doesn’t mean the minimalist journey has ended. What’s important is to keep moving, continue on, and pushing past the difficult stages.

Your Turn!

• Look around the room, can you find five items you could live without?
• What can you remove from your schedule to create time for a lifestyle change?

NAVIGATION

Types Of MinimalismThe Right TypeGetting Started

Hi, I’m Ryan

When I first started my simple living journey, I didn’t consider myself a minimalist until a good friend called me out on it. After that, I started to think about what being a minimalist really meant, leading me to discover the different forms it could take.

What I’ve realized along my journey of minimalism is that there is no one-size-fits-all way to do it. Minimalism isn’t just downsizing — it’s about creating more room for the important things in life. People don’t have to meet certain standards to fit the lifestyle. There is a spectrum of minimalism, and it’s possible to fall anywhere on it based on what’s important to you.

As I was exploring the differences between types of minimalism, I came to the realization that the terms that describe minimalist lifestyles don’t really need to be super constraining.

What Types Of Minimalism Are There?

The different types of minimalists often differ from one another based on what a person values and their long-term goals. At the end of the day, any specific minimalist style is about intentionality and using the tools that serve us best.

It’s important to note here that while these labels help define different types of minimalism, they’re still somewhat flexible. We can often identify with multiple minimalist styles or see that our values cross over a few of them.

Essential Minimalism

Essential minimalism is focused on the bare necessities needed for daily activities. This includes physical items we use for daily life, but also how our time and energy is spent. As far as time is concerned, I often pick and choose the extra activities I jump into, which helps me focus more energy on projects that feel most important.

For example, if an essential minimalist determines that they love gardening and their interest in crafting is not as strong, they might drop knitting to more effectively pursue their hobby for growing vegetables, devoting more time to enriching that part of their life. that part of their life.

Essential minimalism is all about efficiency and not wasting resources, including time. For this minimalism mindset, quality is extremely important. The essential route to minimalism embraces having less while maximizing the potential of what resources are available.

Eco Minimalism

Eco minimalism is a lifestyle centered around environmental impact and sustainability. An eco-friendly lifestyle and thinking green are key values for eco minimalism.

I’ve seen that minimalism goals in general tend to be good for the environment. What sets this style apart from the rest, though, is that the main driving force for participating in minimalism is a desire to contribute towards a healthier planet.

Resource consumption is very important for this minimalism type, which often extends to the ethics of how products are made and the sustainability of the materials.

Still, the consideration of the environment for eco minimalism doesn’t stop there. It’s also about being cautious when decluttering and downsizing. Often, before donating or getting rid of something, the eco minimalist might try to repurpose items and turn them into things that can be useful.

The eco minimalist may aspire to reduce waste as much as possible and may strive for a zero-waste lifestyle. The zero-waste lifestyle is no easy feat, but there are practical ways to pursue it.

Extreme Minimalism

Extreme minimalism takes the idea “less is more” to its furthest point, especially when it comes to having physical possessions. Like essential minimalism, extreme minimalism is about owning only what’s necessary for day-to-day life.

The difference between the two is that essential minimalism goes beyond physical goods, but extreme minimalism pushes the bounds of what necessary means.

The extreme minimalist owns extraordinarily little, including staple items like furniture. They may be able to fit all they have in a few boxes, or possibly even one.

It’s important to extreme minimalism that there is nothing in excess, providing freedom from attachment to objects.

The extreme minimalist isn’t held back by stuff, and can focus more on comfort, joy, and meaningful experiences in life.

Frugal Minimalism

Frugal minimalism is concerned primarily about money and being economical with resources. This minimalism type is centered on creating a space where less time is spent worrying about financials and more time is dedicated to the areas of life that you care for the most.

Looking back at my life before simple living, I was way more stressed and paying for way more. After four years on my minimalist path, I was debt free and more secure in my financial situation than I ever had been before.

Frugal minimalism has habits that are geared to help people save money while also maintaining (and enjoying) very few possessions. This type of minimalism encourages affordability and the practice of saving. A frugal minimalist may do this by purchasing secondhand items and may choose to rent items they don’t frequently need.

Other characteristics of frugal minimalism include upcycling resources, selling items before donating them, avoiding needless shopping, and only buying what is absolutely necessary, such as buying clothes only when current clothes become too worn.

Wannabe Minimalism

Wannabee minimalism is a flexible approach that allows for a more mainstream lifestyle than other types of minimalism.

We’ve all got to start somewhere. Wannabee minimalism often indicates the beginning stages of the minimalism process. I’ve seen firsthand how adopting a minimalist lifestyle can affect someone’s life. Wannabee minimalism is about taking those first steps and working it into the present circumstances.

The goals for this minimalism category align with main ideas of simple living like desiring to be more intentional and decluttering spaces. While wannabee minimalism is about believing less is more, it isn’t super strict and doesn’t place restrictions on the enjoyable parts of life.

For example, the wannabee minimalist won’t feel that it’s necessary to rid themselves of items they enjoy. If they love making art, they won’t get rid of their paint and brushes. If they love fishing, they might keep that second fishing rod and whatever is in their tackle box.

Wannabee minimalism can be more attractive to those who have a busy lifestyle and don’t necessarily want to live in a tiny home, but they regularly purge and make conscious decisions about their purchases. For this minimalist style, it’s about flexibility and considering how minimalism can make a positive impact without compromising your favorite things in life.

Mindful Minimalism

Mindful minimalism is dedicated to the mental work that comes with practicing minimalism. It focuses a lot on action and lifestyle introspection. Each item in the mindful minimalist’s possession is purposefully selected.

The mindful minimalist is likely to keep resources that help them maintain a mindful lifestyle, such as journals, incense or candles, and self-help books. When deciding what goes, they get rid of old paperwork that adds clutter to their life, outfits that have been saved for that “one occasion,” or home décor that no longer adds to their space in the way that it used to.

Decluttering to achieve mindful simplicity gives the current moment meaning. Focusing on the present moment is one aspect of mindfulness that can help to look at life more objectively.

I’ve learned that mindful minimalists put a lot of thought into maintaining their minimalism through actions. Monotasking is one example of mindfulness at work within a minimalist lifestyle. By focusing on one task, you’re able to think about the process and increase your sense of purpose.

Enoughist Minimalism

Enoughist minimalism combines the two mindsets of enoughism and minimalism. The core parts of this minimalism type are having just enough, believing in self-restraint, and being careful when it comes to adding more items to one’s posessions. The goal is to have just enough.

One friend of mine considers herself an enoughist, and she first started minimalism because she realized she no longer wanted to consume as many products.
For her, it was about learning to discern the balance between what she needed and what she wanted. So, if she wants something new, she’ll consider whether she actually needs it and then if she does, she’ll be careful about choosing that item.

Slow-Living Minimalism

Slow living minimalism is about taking ownership over one’s timeline and focusing on not letting time be in control. This is a type of minimalism that emphasizes slowing down and soaking up all of the meaningful moments of life.

Slow-living minimalism takes on an approach to life that challenges fast-paced work environments and hustle culture.

Learning to say no to those awkward, obligatory events is vital for slow minimalism. Freeing up our schedules allows us to revel in our relationships and passions. I’ve noticed that freeing up my schedule creates space for me to focus on what and who is important to me.

By declining a distant co-workers bridal shower to respectfully rejecting to see a concert of a terrible band with friends, the slow-living minimalist prioritizes their free time.

Slowing down also allows for more deliberate shopping and more intentional purchases as opposed to quickly cashing out.

Because there is more time to think about it, slow-living minimalism makes it easier to examine how things are manufactured and comprehend how they provide value to our lives. This method of minimalism focuses on participating in less, doing things more slowly, and living the journey intentionally.

Digital Minimalism

Digital minimalism is about putting barriers on technology, simplifying the tech space, and making sure that technology becomes more of a tool instead of a distraction. Digital spaces are complex, and decluttering these spaces leaves more room for purpose and productivity on and off screen.

I’ve noticed that digital minimalists partake in social media detoxes and practice helpful habits like inbox zero to optimize their digital efficiency.

Also, I’ve found that most digital minimalists choose to use dumb phones over smart phones. This is a simple swap that makes a significant difference in the amount of time and energy spent using digital devices and technology.

Nomadic Minimalism

Nomadic minimalism is about owning very few possessions in order to go on adventures, travel, and experience the world at a moment’s notice. Traveling essentials are a must for the nomadic minimalist — things such as a first aid kit, digital and tech equipment to work remotely, a backpack or suitcase, and a sturdy pair of shoes.

The ability to pick up and go requires light packing, which means it isn’t practical for an adventurer to carry collectables or memorabilia besides maybe a few photos.

The nomadic minimalist moves frequently and might embrace temporary housing for short periods of time rather than committing to long-term leases or home ownership that holds them in place.

Some nomadic minimalists do have a homebase, or participate in van life, but they’ll often have no fixed home or car by choice.

Luxury Minimalism

Luxury minimalism is about appreciating quality over quantity, more so than any other type of minimalist. This lifestyle frequently entails owning fewer but higher quality products that last a long time. Durability is important, even if that sometimes comes at a price.

Luxury minimalists want to make sure that what they put their money and energy into is going to last and is enjoyable. They may invest in traveling, dining out, and other social activities they can share with the people they care about most.

So that they can save on what’s more important to them, they might cut out smaller purchases that add up like fast food or the daily $5 coffee before work.

The luxury minimalist opts out of cheaper clothing, shoes, and home items that will wear out easily. They are committed to acquiring only what will last a luxurious lifetime.

Boho Minimalism

Boho minimalism is a free-spirited approach to minimalism that incorporates self-expression into a minimalist lifestyle. Inspired by bohemian influences, this minimalism type can be environmentalist and nature focused.

I’ve noticed that there’s also a desire to detach from emotional ties to physical items for a boho minimalist, as well as a desire find value in relationships and creative endeavors like art, music, and literature.

As for how a boho minimalist might decorate their home, they enjoy having less and often want to incorporate a bit of greenery and a modern bohemian style. They invest in décor for their living space, such as macramé, florals, patterned rugs, and wooden furniture, to help create a comfortable home environment.

The boho minimalist cares about having uncluttered spaces and carefully selects the pieces they bring into their home.

Homesteading Minimalism

Homesteading minimalism is focused on keeping up with minimalist values while also increasing self-sufficiency. The homesteading minimalist is engaged with growing their own food, simple ways of living, and self-reliance.

Often homesteader minimalists have farms, gardens, or animals (like chickens) that enhance their homestead.

I’ve found that the materials and equipment required for homesteading can cause a homesteading minimalist to accumulate more belongings than other minimalists because of the resources used to cultivate their own food.

If you’re gardening, you’re going to have more gardening tools like a rake, shovel, and pickaxe. For food preservation, you may have a dehydrator, a pressure canner, and a good amount of mason jars.

Aesthetic Minimalism

Aesthetic minimalism values simplicity and design, including surroundings that reflect the minimalist mindset.

I’d say that the appeal for people pursuing this type of minimalism is creating the right living environment. The visuals for aesthetic minimalists are important — they love the aesthetic of having very minimal surroundings and adopting simplicity into their home.

This take on minimalism hones in on creating simplistic beauty throughout the home, creating a practical living space with lots of clean, organized space with limited furniture and décor. The furniture and décor tend to be monochrome, neutral tones, and soft textures to produce a calm atmosphere.

Finding The Right Type Of Minimalism For You

Getting Started With Minimalism On Your Terms

One of the first things I did when inspecting my minimalist lifestyle was analyzing how I wanted minimalism to help me in my life. To start up your minimalism lifestyle, take a look at what in your life you want to expand and what you want to eliminate.

Once you figure out your goals and motivation toward minimalism, you’ll be able to start decluttering and reaping the benefits of mindfulness and intentionality.

Your Turn!

• What type of minimalism resonates with you the most?
• How would adopting a type of minimalism affect your life?

NAVIGATION

Extreme MinimalismBenefitsDownsidesExamplesTips

Hi, I’m Ryan

As a minimalist, I’m often asked about what it would look like to push the boundaries of this lifestyle to the extreme. With less than 1,000 items to my name and a mindset that now aligns with my values, I’ve never been more content. While there is no single way to be a minimalist — or an extreme one — I hope my experiences will help you decide if extreme minimalism is for you.

What Is Extreme Minimalism?

Extreme minimalism is a lifestyle in which a person chooses to simplify down to the bare essentials. It differs from the “typical” idea of minimalism in that it radically defies social norms and pushes the boundaries of comfort.

Although extreme minimalism usually refers to the number of physical possessions one owns, I quickly realized that the philosophy behind it often extends to other aspects of life.

What Is An Extreme Minimalist’s Mindset?

Like any minimalist, extremists desire to focus their time and energy on the things that matter most to them. They feel burdened by decision fatigue and the responsibilities that come with ownership, so they streamline their lives in hopes of feeling free and light. To them, the perks of paring down far outweigh the pitfalls.

Extreme minimalists often apply their mindset to areas of life beyond physical ownership. They may strive for inbox zero, a simplified diet, or regimented routines. These changes, coupled with limited possessions, help extreme minimalists remove as much clutter as possible from their lives.

What Are The Benefits Of Extreme Minimalism?

Extreme minimalism requires sacrifice, which I think is a big reason why the lifestyle is not necessarily “mainstream.” However, the many benefits of this simplistic lifestyle makes the decision to downsize seem extra appealing.

Extra Money

I’m not sure if I would consider myself an extreme minimalist, but I’ve found that taking great measures to downsize has completely transformed my finances.

After losing my first “adult” job during the 2009 recession, I had to rethink my approach to money. When I examined my budget and discovered that half of my income was going toward rent, utilities, and insurance, I made the decision to build my own tiny home.

Through this process, I was able to cut my cost of living from $1,500 per month to just $15 per month (yes, you read that correctly). Eventually, I paid off all my debt!

Even without debt, having extra money in the bank can help people achieve goals they had never imagined before. Once I paid off my debt, I found myself with a surplus of money to use however I wished — for travel, novel experiences, charity, or retirement.

More Time

Less Stress

More money and more time don’t guarantee less stress, but they certainly help.

What Are Some Examples of Extreme Minimalism?

Extreme minimalism looks different for everyone — it will manifest itself in a unique way depending on who you are and what your goals are. Below are three examples of extreme minimalism.

An Extreme Minimalist’s Wardrobe

After taking a popular money management course, minimalism vlogger Madisun Gray decided to reevaluate her wardrobe. She carefully chose a few pieces and discarded the rest (about 90% of her clothes). Once described by her husband as an “aspiring fashion blogger,” her miniscule wardrobe now fits on a small rack in her bedroom.

“I feel like paring down, simplifying, limiting my options is what actually gives me the most freedom and fulfillment in my life.”

– Madisun Gray, Content Creator

A few years ago, I decided to opt into an incredibly minimal wardrobe as well. Most days, you can find me in a gray T-shirt and khaki shorts; I call this my “minimalist uniform.” Getting dressed each day has become so easy that I can’t imagine returning to a more diverse wardrobe.

Deciding which pieces to hold onto can be tough — especially for those who like variety. I used these guidelines to assist me in the decision-making process.

An Extreme Minimalist’s Home

Even people who have larger homes can still practice extreme minimalism.

Take Anja of Anja’s ArtWorld, for example. Although she has a decent amount of space in her home, she doesn’t enjoy doing housework and is easily distracted by visual clutter. Because of this, she has intentionally chosen to keep only the essentials.

Her home decor is limited to a few items, including a mirror, a rug, and a key ring holder. Most of her items are purely functional, such as her mattress and her singular bar of soap.

“This is working out fine for me, so there is no need for me to own any more things. In fact, I’d rather minimize more.”

– Anja, Anja’s ArtWorld

An Extreme Minimalist’s Travel Pack

Some extreme minimalists choose not to have a permanent residence at all.

Over the span of a decade, Rob Greenfield of Exploring Alternatives has decreased his possessions to 47 items — all of which he carries in his backpack. He travels from place to place, enjoying temporary lodging in each new location.

“Living with everything in my backpack and not having anything anywhere else has given me a much deeper form of presence. I don’t have things pulling me in different directions.”

– Rob Greenfield, Exploring Alternatives

Are There Any Downsides To Extreme Minimalism?

Before discarding items left and right, it may be helpful to consider some potential downsides of extreme minimalism. It’s important to note that it’s not always smooth sailing.

It Can Be An Emotional Roller Coaster

Although downsizing might feel liberating, it can also be emotionally taxing. Letting go can be quite challenging for those who are especially frugal, social, or sentimental. There are plenty of good reasons why people keep things — security, belonging, and remembrance are just a few.

Extreme minimalism has the potential to stir up feelings of fear, isolation, and grief. Once minimalists discard valuable items, they might worry they’ll need them again. Friends and family may ostracize them for their unconventional lifestyle. They may mourn the loss of possessions that meant a lot to them.

These feelings are part of the process, and some people are willing to endure them to experience the benefits of minimalism.

I had no idea how difficult it would be to eliminate certain items from my life when I began my minimalism journey. I don’t regret downsizing, but it didn’t come without an initial cost.

It Can Be Inconvenient At Times

The truth is, extreme minimalism isn’t for the faint of heart.

Having a limited number of items can be wildly inconvenient when hosting others. Imagine not being able to give a guest a glass of water because the singular cup is already taken. That would be rather awkward.

This lifestyle can be vexing even without hosting others. If extreme minimalists fall ill but don’t have medicine, get hungry but don’t store much food, or catch a chill without an extra blanket, they could end up suffering more than they have to.

Either that, or they have to make a special trip to acquire supplies. Extreme minimalism requires a great deal of forethought.

It Could Inadvertently Harm The Environment

Decluttering might sound wonderful in theory, but it’s important to remember that just because people no longer own certain items doesn’t mean those items cease to exist.

The irresponsible disposal of unwanted items has the potential to harm the environment. Becoming an extreme minimalist usually involves some level of landfill waste, but the more people can do to reuse and recycle, the better. Items can be listed on a variety of apps, and whatever isn’t sold can be donated to secondhand shops.

Tips To Become An Extreme Minimalist

Is Extreme Minimalism For You?

Your Turn!

• What most appeals to you about extreme minimalism?
• What are your hesitations about becoming an extreme minimalist?