When I began working on my habits a couple of years ago I never imagined that I would become an accidental minimalist. Just like when I became an accidental hipster the changes that I made by design and through accidental discovery had unexpected lasting changes.
Embracing minimalism
So, what exactly is minimalism? According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary minimalism is defined as the following: a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.
As a staunch American with deeply entrenched habits of materialism I never thought that I would become a minimalist. I liked shopping for new clothes, shoes, enjoying a nice meal out. and going on trips. In fact, it would be safe to say that most Americans live the opposite of a minimalist lifestyle as we accumulate: shoes, product, t-shirts, food, plates, and memories.
The thing was, my life wasn’t working. I was in debt, depressed, and quite frankly-bored with the day in and day out process of consuming. I felt like my habit of consumption was gradually consuming me.
I was so tired of the status quo that I decided to do something drastic-I stopped shopping for a year. From April 1, 2013-April 1, 2014 I did a No Spending Challenge that not only saved me money, it changed how I felt about the idea of lack and the concept of active gratitude.
I stopped cold turkey and like an addict I experienced withdrawal symptoms. What should I DO with my time? Who would I hang out with? The thing is-I was wasting my time. I wasn’t spending time with anyone and I was already profoundly lonely. And not shopping illuminated this loneliness in sharp detail.
Fast Forward
To today. In the past year I noticed that as I became less interested in consuming I became more interested in the concept of life energy. What was I trading my life energy for? Was all of the crap that I was buying worth all of the life energy that I had to expend to get it? The answer more and more became a resounding NO. I didn’t want to work buy things. I wanted to work to pay off debt, and spend time with the people I love, and travel. None of what I wanted included things.
It Became That Simple
I stopped caring about what other people thought about what I had. I stopped caring about superficial crap like labels. I became more and more focused on how my choices impacted my life in the long term. I was always environmentally focused and I became even more concerned about how my purchases affected the earth. Yep, I ‘m kind of a hippy. And I kind of like it. With bathing.
Leo makes a very important point in this video about being stuck and how minimalism helped him get “unstuck.” I had the same experience. I couldn’t get things to change in my life. As I questioned my choices over, over again I was able to make long term, sustained change and finally get my debt moving in the right direction. Down.
Action Steps
- Think about your “Why?” Why do you want to change your habits and your life?
- Do a No Shopping Challenge-that will create clarity in your head about what is truly important to you. I found out that I really, really love having a cream sweater, jeans, and riding boots during the winter. I discovered that I actually wore most of the clothes that I had but was ok with getting rid of some of the things that I had accumulated.
- Declutter-Currently, I am going through every single part of my home and clearing out items that I haven’t used in the past 6 months to a year. Anything that is a box has been emptied out and items will be donated.
- Journal-Spend time reflecting on the emotion that drives you to spend. Are you happy, bored, sad?
- Change your coping behavior that drives you to accumulate new items mindlessly. Now when I’m happy I reinforce the happy feeling by biking, reading, riding, going for coffee, or just being with people that I love. When I’m sad I do the actions listed above to ward off that feeling.
- Donate-Donate whatever items (that are in good shape) to help someone in need. I am in the process of donating clothes and, yes, items from my product stockpile. Yes, the stockpile that I lovingly worked on before I quit my job. Let’s be clear-I STILL have a year’s worth of items in my stockpile…after pulling out the equivalent of an entire REUSABLE SHOPPING bag full of: soaps, dental floss, toothpaste, shampoo, mini shampoos/conditioners/and lotions to donate to charity. Basically, I have been paying close attention to how long it is taking me to use each item. I still feel better with a year’s worth of product in my house HOWEVER, more than that is unnecessary when someone else who is in need could be using those items right now.
- Don’t Bring In New Items-As you let stuff go you might feel the urge to bring stuff in . Don’t. The space that you’ve freed up will be space for: a new love, a pet, more business, friends, wealth, travel, and whatever it is you don’t have space for now. Trust me.
- Embrace creativity-Be creative about how you use and get things that you need to keep your life running. As I run out of my personal products I’ve decided to start making them. Yep, I’m going to begin making my personal products as they begin to run out. Yep, that might be a little weird but I think it will be fun and I will learn something new.
I am happier each day. I am recapturing my American dream. How will you recapture yours? It hasn’t been a perfect transition sometimes I stumble. But, each time I stumble I dust myself off and keep moving towards my dreams. I will never be an extreme minimalist, but I am loving the simplicity that my version of minimalism is bringing to my life.
What I’ve Done So Far
- No Shopping Challenge
- Cleaned out ALL boxes/drawers/etc. that hold “things” Got rid of those things.
- Donated clothes
- Donated: soap/toothpaste/dental floss etc.
- Stopped shopping after the No Shopping Challenge
- Filled my “accumulating time” with fun: hiking, biking, reading, and hanging out with family and friends
- Stopped buying magazines/books
- Saved A Lot Of MONEY by changing my habits.
Would you embrace some form of minimalism to change your life?
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I have met a lot of people who have already embraced minimalism, which I have adopted as well and happy so far with what it has brought to my life. Embracing minimalism is not just a challenge but a responsibility to make life much better and simpler.
I am really enjoying the result of downsizing. The process of letting go is a bit challenging but once I’ve let things go I love the space that it creates!
good for you Michelle! Glad it’s made a difference in your life. Being minimalist has even helped me make money, like being able to rent out my garage because I don’t have that much stuff. For me I just breathe a little easier when my place is not cluttered, which is why my experiment of having someone stay on my couch was a huge fail for me. I like my space! One more week (and two days!)!
I think that you’ve actually experienced a huge success with the houseguest. I think that even though it drove you crazy you were willing to do something that I was convinced you would NEVER do. Invite someone that you didn’t know into your home for an extended period time. It’s not for you permanently, but if you had to do it again you could (they would just drive you crazy) LOL! I didn’t realize how much I had embraced minimalism until I noticed how much I was getting rid of things in the house AND how little was being brought in. It’s a pretty awesome and addictive process.
I love your journaling idea. I need to get one and write consistently. My emotions with “stuff” change so frequently it would be good to have a written history to reflect on. LOL. My husband and I are also planning to move to Atlanta by the end of this year… so becoming minimalist right now is really going to help us save $$$ for the move. We have so much junk it’s ridiculous!
I have been journaling pretty consistently with this Miracle Morning that I’ve been doing. It’s really nice to get out all of the “crazy” thoughts that like to whirl around in your head if you don’t address them LOL! There are a ton of personal finance bloggers in Atlanta-you should look them up.
Declutter and finish unpacking needs to be first on my list. We’ve been here for a year now…time to get with it and find this place a home (either here or somewhere else).
I think it’s challenging though with small kids in the home. I can’t imagine moving at the same time you brought home a teeny tiny! Btw-you sound a lot more energetic this year!
I lost my husband a couple of months ago. He was a (materialistic) person lol. He kept everything. Me I don’t have much (no room). So I can relate to your downsizing. Good for you! I also love reading . I don’t care to shop unless I really need to. Thanks for pinning this. Bless you.
Kat, first I want to send my condolences and am sorry for your loss. Second, I find my downsizing to be a very therapeutic and freeing experience. I just want to let go of the past and move forward in my life. I want to make space for new things and experiences. Sending you good vibes.