When I first started this journey, I really believed that minimalism was only having the bare necessities. I thought it was a lifestyle focused on "living without" and I couldn't have been more off. Through my trials, I've learned that minimalism is about living without excess. Two VERY different things. Here are some of my hardest learned lessons and most adaptable tips for tweaking your lifestyle.
Minimalism doesn't mean black and white.
Your house, wardrobe, car, and belongings don't have to have a color scheme. It might be helpful, but it is definitely not a requirement. You're allowed to have color!
You don't have to have bare walls and clear counter-tops.
This one can be a hot topic for some people, but I wholeheartedly believe that if a piece of art makes you happy-- hang it on your wall. If you drink coffee every single day, keep that coffee maker on your counter in your kitchen. Minimalism is not about keeping the bare minimum to survive; it's about keeping what you love and makes you happy (within reason). It's a balance between joy from an object and it's functionality. For example, you don't need two coffee makers if they do the same job.
Keep a list of things you use daily.
This one seems silly, but if you're first starting out and trying to purge through your stuff, this is the best way that worked for me. I made a daily, weekly, and monthly list and wrote down what I used. From blankets to pencils, I logged it all. At the end of the month, I looked at what wasn't on that list but was in my home. If I hadn't used it in that month or even longer and it held no sentimental value, it was donated or sold. If you aren't using something and you don't love it, you don't need it in your home. Stuff becomes clutter without love and use.
Use multi-purpose products.
Using versatile products eliminates clutter in your space and can save you money. Dr. Bronner's soap can be used in the bathroom or in cleaning solutions. Stainless steel travel mugs can be used for hot or cold beverages or a hot soup for lunch. If you wear makeup, eyeshadows can be used for your eyebrows and even contour! Get creative and think outside of the box.
Don't bring clutter into your home.
It sounds like the simplest one, but it is the most effective. If you don't need it or have something that has the same function, you probably don't need it. This is the one I struggle with the most, just because something is on sale does not mean that I need it. Think about that purchase before you follow through with it. I keep a list of things I am thinking of buying for at least a week before I decide to purchase it or not; this eliminates that instant gratification that turns to guilt.
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