I’m not going to lie: I was not born ready for the whole minimalist thing. Some people collect shoes; others stamps or postcards; others again with their collection of watches or cars (my partner’s personal dream, I’m sure). For me though, I collect “stuff”, much to my boyfriend’s exasperation.
That being said, as I get older, I’m becoming better. I try to buy less, reuse more. Simplify. It’s a work in progress, and I certainly have a long way to go. Some people pursue minimalism in the interest of saving money; others for the simple joy that living an uncluttered life can bring. Sometimes it’s related to environmentalism, or a combination of other factors.
For myself, I think it’s a combination; wanting to be intentional with my money and time, as well as removing any unnecessary clutter to allow space for creativity and spontaneity. To buy less in order to waste less.
For this week’s topic, I wanted to share how I am engaging a gentle approach to minimalism, and what sort of framework I attempt to follow in a bid to live sustainably, affordably and with intention. These are things that I try to do to minimise wastage in my home, and to avoid excessive spending in other areas.
Planning
Being intentional with planning efforts can go a long way in simplifying daily habits, improving productivity, and increasing mindfulness. You may have come across the concept of bullet journalling (search the hashtag on IG; its a stationary-addict’s DREAM), which is often touted as a favoured method of record keeping, scheduling and journalling, all rolled into one. For now, ignore the pretty details and washi tape, and focus on the function of what bullet journalling (or even just regular list-making) provides; a clear, daily task list and space for planning your day.
Some planning actions that you can start immediately?
1. Spend five minutes at the end of your day to plan key activities for tomorrow.
It might seem annoying at first, but arriving at work or starting your day with your key objectives for the day already laid out can assist in ensuring that you prioritise them effectively, and avoid any time-wasting that often sneaks into our mornings.
2. Plan at least 3 or 4 of your weekday meals.
My partner and I enjoy eating out regularly, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t meal plan when required. In the interest of eating healthfully, as well as saving money, I often plan at least three or four weekday meals, and build my grocery lists around them in order to minimise wastage, decision paralysis and buying unnecessary extras while at the grocery shop.
3. Batch Cooking
In the same vein as planning meals, I have found it beneficial to batch cook, or simply prepare all of my vegetables and ingredients in advance. If I am batch cooking I usually freeze any extras, or if I plan to cook fresh each evening, having all the ingredients prepared ahead of time saves me time each day, and helps to make sure that there is no wastage from vegetables disintegrating to mush in the bottom of my fridge.
Clothing, Shopping & Spending
Spending money is an inevitable part of life, no matter how minimalist or frugal you are attempting to be. However, it doesn’t have to turn into a slippery slope of materialistic pursuit; when done deliberately and carefully it can help to enhance your quality of life and comfort. We all work hard for our money; being mindful and intentional with our use of it is the very least we can do for ourselves, to show appreciation and recognition for the hard work it has cost us.
Some shopping and spending framework that you can start to implement today?
1. Employ a “use it or lose it” policy with your clothes, to help you declutter.
Clear your closet regularly of items that you no longer wear, for whatever reason. Wrong size? Get rid of it. Not your style any longer? Say buh-bye. By only having items in your wardrobe that you love, which fit you well, and which suit your style and lifestyle, you remove any extra clutter and avoid the “I have nothing to wear” paradox that seems to infiltrate the lives of just about everyone at some stage, and inevitable causes us to buy yet more clothing. Anything that you haven’t worn in a year (or 6 months if you’re hardcore) can be passed on, donated or sold to someone who will appreciate it and put it to good use. This DOES NOT MEAN you have to strictly get rid of everything you haven’t worn within six months; perhaps you have a tuxedo or cocktail dress that only comes out for special occasions; perhaps you have a wetsuit that you only use for cold-weather race swims. Use discretion at all times.
2. Buy quality over quantity.
When shopping for clothing, try to focus on the quality of the item, not just the price. It’s all well and good to buy the item with the lowest price tag when you are pushed for bucks, but keep in mind that quality items will last longer than fast fashion. What once was a $10 pair of shoes, may end up costing you a lot more if you have to replace them regularly. In this realm of thinking, I always invest in buying good quality jeans. They keep their shape through multiple washes and wears, I wear them almost daily, and the pairs that I have bought have lasted me for years; only ever getting thrown out when they literally fall apart.
For me it’s jeans. For you it might be winter coats, or boots, or handbags. If there is a clothing item that you use and use and use until it dies, don’t be afraid to invest in good quality; you’ll save space in your wardrobe, and money in the long run as you remove the need to replace it regularly.
3. Develop a style that you can easily update, or test out a capsule wardrobe.
This is something that I’m still working on, but building a solid “base” for your wardrobe can be a wonderful way to live minimally in the realm of fashion.
Good quality staples can be easily worn for years, and if your style is consistent, can work with most other items in your wardrobe. Classic items such as dark wash jeans, a crisp white shirt and a good pair of shoes never goes out of fashion, and can be spruced up with a colourful scarf, funky accessories, or a shade of lipstick; all of which are subtle and inexpensive updates that can be changed seasonally.
By keeping your “base” wardrobe or staples relatively classic or simple, you can continue to wear them as your personal tastes change over time, just by pairing them differently.
4. Think before you buy
Spend with purpose. Before splashing your cash, ask yourself how this item will fit into your life. Will you really get the use out of it? Do you already have something similar? Is it really your style, and do you actually like it, or are you only buying it because it’s in fashion or because your friends have one? Being open minded about this can help you avoid making some regrettable impulse buys.
Living Mindfully
Through living with intention and mindfulness, we can avoid the distraction and hum that comes with everyday advertising. We live in a culture that promotes excesses; in spending, in eating, in technology use, in drinking. By attempting to put a little bit of distance between us and this external influence, we can gain some perspective on what we really need and want.
None of us (or very few of us, certainly) need yet another pair of shoes. Or handbags. Or saucepan sets. Or stationary sets (my own guilty pleasure). Taking a breather to reflect on what we have and be grateful for it, can remove that anxious need to spend more, buy more, have more.
Some tips of living mindfully, that you can take action on today:
1. Meditate and express gratitude daily.
This can be as simple as spending 10 minutes in a quiet space by yourself, sitting quietly and without distraction; just allowing yourself to exist in the present. For some habitual worriers like myself, external guidance can be beneficial, and so mediation apps can be useful. Personally, I use Calm (from the App Store) which has both free and subscription options for guided meditation, readings and breathing exercises; all designed to help slow down the frenetic activity of every day life, and build your own sense of personal calmness.
For me, daily gratitude takes the form of writing, where I allow my mind to wander and express any small or large amount of gratitude that comes through my mind. Some days it’s as simple as being made a cup of really good coffee, or having other cars allow me into traffic. Other days it is more substantial; feeling supported by my spouse or office, being grateful for my health and wellness, or for kindness shown to me when I needed it most. Ten minutes in the morning spent doing this sets me up to approach my day with a grateful mind; rather than seeing the challenges that I encounter, I see an opportunity to learn, to grow, to overcome. It’s powerful stuff, and worth a try.
2. Remove attachment to material possessions
Recognising possessions for what they are can be strangely freeing. When I was growing up, I habitually saved items of clothing, jewellery or makeup for “special occasions”, only to find that when a special occasion rolled around, I had grown out of the clothes, the makeup had expired, and the jewellery had tarnished from sitting unworn in a drawer. As I get older I try to recognise that everyday is a special day, and we never know what could happen; so best we live each day as well as we can. Stop saving things for a rainy day; wear that special dress, use the good wine glasses and crack open that bottle of bubbles; there’s no point saving everything for an arbitrary special day, when we are here and alive NOW.
3. Value experiences over possessions
When we shift our value system from possessions to experiences, we free ourselves from the burden of lugging around “stuff”. When you’re old and grey (or gone from this world), no one will remember how nice your sofa set was, or how much you spent on shoes. Instead, spend your money on making memories; take your nieces and nephews out for ice cream, go see new shows or plays. Travel. Take cooking classes, develop new hobbies. Be remembered as someone who had an insatiable curiosity for the world around, rather than someone who spent money on possessions.
This list is far from perfect, and only my small take on minimalism (or “mindful spending”) and how I approach it. I don’t perpetually try to avoid spending money; I focus on what that money could do for me and my quality of life, and where it should be directed to get the most “bang for my buck”. More often than not, that has meant having less material possessions. For other people, they might find that they prefer more possessions. Find a balance that works for you.
Do you classify yourself as a minimalist? What is your take on it?
