Confessions of a Minimalist

Photo from Unsplash.com

Minimalist. Hippy. Granola. Eco-conscious. Frugal. These words have all been used to describe me at one point or another and they're being used more frequently the older I get.

My journey to living with less started when I first moved from my hometown to another city for college. I was moving from a bachelor apartment and had a ton of stuff. A huge moving truck to be exact, plus some car loads full.

Over the past 5 years, I've moved about 7 times. (Thank you, shady landlords and bad roommate situations). With the hassle of each move, I really started thinking about the things I owned. I considered why they were important to me, whether or not I needed them, and how owning these things made me feel.

From there I began to question where my desire to own things came from. I thought about how society effected these desires and about how society's 'ideal life' differed from my own.

Once I realized these differences, I began to change my mindset to create a life which was more meaningful to me. 

It's a long and ongoing process, but here's some things I've learned so far on my minimalist journey.

1) I believe in re-gifting. It's the thought that counts! Besides, if I don't love something and know someone else will, I'm happy to pass it along to a new home.

2) I don't wash my jeans until they've been well worn multiple times. Unless of course I KNOW they're dirty or they smell. With the amount of water that a load of laundry uses, I do my best to practice sustainable laundry habits. Besides do jeans ever actually get dirty??

3) Over the years, I've drastically cut down my beauty routine. I started with 1 hour and a full face of makeup and blowout, to 20 minutes and just the essentials. I believe my time is more valuable than me looking perfect every day. A little mineral foundation, some all natural mascara and tinted lip balm and I'm good to go.

4) I don't keep old notes and cards, unless they're really, really special. I keep them for a few years, thank them for the joy they brought me, and then recycle them.

5) I believe the gift of quality time is the most valuable gift you can give a person. 

6) I make my bed everyday because it makes a room look so much tidier and I feel like starting the day by making a bed or doing some light tidying makes for a much more productive day.

7) I don't spend money I don't have. When using a credit card, I make sure to pay it off right away, and avoid unnecessary spending.

8) Instead of focusing on how to make more money, I try not to need more money. It's easy to get sucked into the idea of needing this big a house, this car and that lifestyle, but it's 100% not necessary to live and be happy. In fact, it's that kind of mindset that distracts you from true and simple happiness.

9) I try not to get sentimental about "stuff". I'd rather have one or two really special things from someone, or photos than hold onto everything that reminds me of them (or a certain time etc.)

10) I don't have a lot of friends, just a small handful of really good, genuine, caring friends. Growing up you realize quickly who your true friends are. Keep them close!

11) I air-dry all of my clean clothes. Not only is it better for the environment and save money, but it's much gentler on your clothes and keeps them lasting much longer.

12) I'll go out for a good cup of coffee, but I won't go out and buy a tea. I can't get myself to spend money on a cup of tea, when I have a wide selection and hot water at home already.

13) I value authenticity more than anything else. Nobody's life is perfect and I appreciate when someone can be honest and open about both the bad and good.

14) I wish my parents had made me save all the money I made during my first part-time job instead of spending it on silly things like belts and band t-shirts. Lesson learned.

15) I used to be a huge online shopper - especially clothes. Now I never buy clothes online because I can't see the quality in person and can't justify spending the money without that assurance (or at least easy returns!)

16) I love sweets, particularly chocolate and baked goods. I believe it's okay to have these things in moderation but if I'm going to eat junk food, it needs to be good and high quality. Remember, your body is a temple.

17) I'd rather be somewhat poor than work a job that I don't like. My time is valuable, my thoughts and feelings have value and they are more important than making money. If these other things aren't being honoured, and you have another way you can survive and feel good about, go for it. Time is money.

18) I frequently remind myself that I won't always be healthy, young, alive etc. This may sound like a downer to some, however I feel it's important to keep our mortality in mind in order to appreciate what you do have now and work towards overcoming fears which may be holding us back. More on this here! 

19) 'Pick and choose your battles' has become an important mantra for me. We face injustices everyday - just open up a newspaper on any given day. We know that we can't make everything fair in the world so we have to pick what we find most important and fight for that. Let the little things slide.

20) I don't upgrade my stuff all the time. For instance, I had a flip phone up until just a few years ago when it broke and had to be replaced. I wear my favourite shoes until they fall apart. I'm still typing on my old laptop from my first year of college. If it ain't broke...

Do you have a confession you'd like to make? Let me know in the comments below!

Cheers,

Brittany
@simplylynne