Tip #1 – Don’t buy so much
As I’ve said before, being a minimalist and practicing minimal living is different for everyone. For me though, it involves keeping the things I love most, close. And that includes people. Every thing, and every one else, pretty much has gotta go.
I’ve been on this train a few years now and it has seriously improved my quality of life. Decisions are easier, I save more money, the space around me is more positive and open, and the relationships I’ve maintained are deeper and more fulfilling.
Many people view minimal living as a fad, as the new trend and as something only possible for the white and rich. For me though, it’s a lifestyle. One that isn’t hard at all, and one that I enjoy thoroughly.
To nurture and improve my quest for minimal living, there are a number of things I no longer own, buy or partake in. As time goes on, this list evolves but for now, here’s where I’m at.
Apparel
Shoes, clothes, handbags etc. are purchased very few and far between, and they are never trendy. I buy things I think would last and are multifunctional. I never buy one occasion type stuff. Currently I own a majority black closet as it’s easy to dress up and down. In my 20s I had closets full of shoes, but nowadays I own six pairs. Three for work (one brown, one tan and one black), one ballet flats, one pair of sandals and one wedge. I’m not the woman to come check if you need a pair of heels. I believe I still have too much and hold on to things I know I won’t wear in the near future, but managing a closet is always a work in progress I guess.
Beauty items
Staples only. This is so easy to get carried away with and boy was I carried. Now I only buy what I intend to use and I no longer have collector items. Contrary to popular belief, makeup and skincare and other beauty items do have expiry dates. Dates that many of us tend to ignore – hello mascara! I only buy when I’ve run out (if I run on this notion for makeup I’d probably never have to buy makeup again, lol) and I choose the companies I support very wisely.
Food
That ricotta cheese and the patchoi that I have grand plans to use. Sigh. Time and time again they sit unused, until they’re thrown out. I’ve reverted to only buying fresh food and produce when I’m going to cook it with no more piling up just in case or when I have grandiose plans of being adventurous. And only foods I enjoy. Say goodbye to kale and cassava!
House stuff
Now that I have my own home, decorating it is a dream and oh so easy to get carried away with. I’ve had to re-think putting items on every counter and filling my walls with unnecessary junk. It adds up to quite a fee and takes way too much time cleaning and maintaining. I hate clutter but hate cleaning even more. Instead, I’ve now taken up with plants. They keep me busy, make me happy, cleans my air and looks beautiful in my new home. I’m even getting rid of most of my beloved scented candles! Most of these things no longer bring me authentic joy. So then what’s the point?
Gadgets and Trendy Stuff
Should I really get that smartwatch? Yeah I sure want to! But I’m thinking long and hard about it. I was never into keeping up with the latest technology but we do own quite the bunch. Those darn sales are our achilles heel I swear. This one is definitely a challenge but we’re working on it, we’re working!
Books
My beloved books. Y’all I had hundreds. Even thousands. Most of which got destroyed due to water damage and I still wince every time I think about them. Fact is though, they were mostly boxed up due to lack of space and to be quite honest, I didn’t miss them. I mean I love looking at them, sometimes I even go back and pull from the collection and have another read, but they take up so much space. I’ve decided to keep the ones I really love and the others, lend to family and friends (because lol, I never get them back) and donate the ones I don’t think I need in my collection at all. I’m also going to invest in an e-reader. That way I can have all stored in one place in a cloud somewhere. I can read anytime, anywhere and at any pace.
Gifts
I’m the Santa in my social circle. For sure! Christmas and birthdays are my thing. But you know what I’ve found after many years of gift giving? That gifts are used a couple times at most and then discarded. I’d say 95% of the time. Unless it’s something like jewelry or perfume that you know for a fact is to the person’s taste, you’re really shooting in the dark. OMG don’t even talk about kids. The novelty wears off real quick. So with that said, I still love giving gifts and I still give them, but now I give experiences rather than material goods. They’re longer lasting, make a bigger impact and adds more value.
Dryer sheets
Two words. Dryer balls. I love mine! They save on so much money and waste. Never going back.
Souvenirs
Your girl loves to travel no doubt about that. And my mom loves the good ole souvenir from everywhere her kids go. Nowadays though, she gets goodies that are edible native to where we’ve been. If I see something truly unique that she’d enjoy, sure I’d indulge, but no more to the tea mugs I usually buy my father. He always reverts to his old trusty beat up ones from decades ago anyway.
And that’s where I’m at for the moment. What about you? Are there any areas you’d like to taper down?
…and tell me, what more about minimal living would you like to see on One Pot Living?
Thanks for stopping by!
More on minimal living ~ How I save money and live my best life and How I live a simple life in a crazy modern world.
