This is the first in a series of posts I’m planning to write about my minimalist journey

Minimalism is both a philosophy and lifestyle that embraces simplicity and prioritizes what’s essential.

But what does that mean in practice? After watching many YouTube channels and reading many articles and blog posts on minimalism, even the critical ones, I think the more important questions are: “What does minimalism mean to me?” and “How can I apply it to my daily life?”

You don’t have to join a cult, rigidly adhere to someone else’s dogma, wear beige, paint your walls white, or throw away every personal item you own. (In fact, many of the minimalist YouTubers I watch will tell you not to do things like that.) You can adopt minimalism in a way that’s right for you.

With that in mind, here are five principles I plan to follow as I embark on my own minimalist journey, along with their practical applications.

1. Reducing Clutter

  • Principle: Reducing physical clutter is the cornerstone of minimalism. The idea is to keep only what is necessary and discard or donate the rest.
  • In Practice: You can start this process by decluttering each room in your home over time (don’t try to do it all in one day or one weekend). Create three piles or bins and label them “keep,” “donate,” and “discard.” Focus on retaining items that you use regularly or that bring you joy (like Marie Kondo’s method), and remove items that no longer serve a purpose or that you haven’t used in a long time.
  • Personal Note: Decluttering can be a huge and intimidating prospect, especially for an empty nester like me. For inspriation or to help jumpstart the process, check out this video on 9 Baby Steps to Becoming a Minimalist.

 

2. Quality vs. Quantity

  • Principle: Minimalism suggests investing in fewer, high-quality items rather than accumulating many low-quality ones. This leads to less waste and more satisfaction with your possessions.
  • In Practice: When purchasing new items for your home, whether furniture, appliances, or clothing, choose items that are durable and long-lasting. This might mean investing more upfront, but it can save money and reduce waste over time.
  • Personal Note: I have to ask myself how much crappy particle board furniture I’ve bought and assembled and thrown away over the years because it didn’t last — saving that money could have gone toward better quality items. This is something to keep in mind as I go forward.

3. Intentionality

  • Principle: Every aspect of a minimalist lifestyle is intentional. This means making deliberate choices about what to own, what to buy, and how to spend your time.
  • In Practice: Before making any purchase or decision about bringing something into your home, ask yourself if it is necessary, if it fits with your aesthetic, and if it will add value to your life. This could apply to everything from kitchen gadgets to decorative items to cars.
  • Personal Note: The following video illustrates this principle.

 

4. Simplicity

  • Principle: Minimalist design emphasizes simplicity, open spaces, and a harmonious color palette.
  • In Practice: Decorate your home with simplicity in mind. Choose a color scheme that feels calm and uncluttered. Opt for simple, streamlined furniture and avoid over-decorating. Keep surfaces mostly clear, and organize items out of sight where possible.
  • Personal Note: This does not mean a beige or white color palette, although it can. I personally prefer more neutral tones for my walls and pops of color in furniture or throw pillows and other accessories. I don’t have anything to show at the moment, but this is how I’m planning to design each of the rooms in my condo this year.

5. Mindfulness

  • Principle: In a similar vein as the “intentionality” principle, minimalism encourages living in the moment and being mindful about life choices, reducing the noise and distractions that detract from a meaningful existence.
  • In Practice: Create spaces in your home that encourage mindfulness and presence, such as a reading nook, a meditation space, or an uncluttered and relaxing bedroom.
  • Personal Note: During the months I was confined to a wheelchair, my movement was limited to “stand up, pivot, sit down.” For example, I would brace myself on my wheelchair to get up from the bed and pivot to sitting in the wheelchair. Then I would do the same from the wheelchair to the desk chair, and then back again. Over time, my limited mobility reduced my life down to one cluttered room where I slept, hung out, and worked. Now that I’m on the mend, I’m planning to relegate work and home life to separate rooms once again, where I can banish the constant distraction of electronic devices and screens from some spaces.

In the coming months I will report on my progress in applying these principles to my home and to my own life.