Minimalism has been quite a popular trend in recent years, with documentaries, books, and talks all cropping up that support the idea of owning fewer things and going for a more streamlined living space — and life — in general.
Without even needing to search very hard, you can find resources on the benefits of Digital Minimalism, on using minimalist tech to avoid distractions, and on reconfiguring your lifestyle so that you can more easily live the “#VanLife”
But beyond using a Mac computer with a good hard drive capacity and a sleek and visually appealing interface, and keeping your home tidy, many people find that minimalism can end up being overly restrictive for them — and can be an unnecessary source of stress.
Here are a handful of tips on making minimalism support your life.
Don’t chase a low number of belongings for its own sake, but work on removing the things that don’t really serve you
Ideally, minimalism shouldn’t be about arbitrarily limiting the number of things you own so that you can hit a certain “target,” but should instead be about removing the things in your life that don’t really serve you.
Using the Marie Kondo rule of holding on to what causes you to feel a “Spark of Joy” can be a very good idea here — in addition, of course, to holding on to things that have a very important practical role to play in your life.
But how many of us can really say that all of our belongings serve us, either emotionally or practically?
Virtually everyone ends up accumulating some clutter that takes up space in their homes, and that drains their energy, without giving a lot back.
Go for a minimalist aesthetic that uplifts you, not one that feels too clinical
Minimalism can come in many different forms and with many different associated “aesthetics,” but one of the most popular minimalist “looks” is the clean, white, empty appearance popular in Scandinavian catalogues and hospitals.
This aesthetic might be just right for you, but it also might not be.
Minimalism doesn’t mean you can’t create a certain style or vibe in your home that suits your tastes — whether by painting the walls a certain way, adding a couple of well-chosen trinkets, or hanging up some art prints.
Go for a minimalist aesthetic that uplifts you and helps you to feel your best, not one that feels too clinical.
Where possible, focus on quality over quantity
Wherever possible, you should go for a minimalist approach to life that emphasizes quality over quantity.
For example, instead of owning dozens of outfits that you just find “kind of ok,” you should consider owning fewer outfits but ensuring that the ones you do own are ones that you love.
Of course, this is likely to mean spending more money upfront on certain things. But if you’re going to be owning fewer belongings anyway, it can make a real difference if those things that you do own are high quality, and help you to feel your best.