Living The Minimalist Lifestyle โ€“ Is it Possible?

INSIDE: What does it mean to live a minimalist lifestyle and is it even possible. Hereโ€™s the benefits and some tips so you can decide for yourself.

I feel like I want to be a Minimalist right now :) I know itโ€™s a lot easier said than done, but in theory it sounds awesome! Fewer things to worry about, less clutter in the house, less maintenance costs, less less less!

minimalist lifestyle

Iโ€™ve been thinking about this for over a week now since the Frugal Bachelor started hitting on it. And then even MORE when he linked over to The 100 Things Challenge by the Minimalist King himself โ€“ Leo @ Zen Habits. Damn that really got me thinkingโ€ฆ.what the hell am I doing collecting all this stuff?! Do I even *use* half of it? (answer: no)

Before I get into it all though, hereโ€™s a great explanation of what minimalism is by ecollo:

โ€œWhen the term minimalism is used, it often refers to art that is stripped down so it only includes the bare necessities. That same principle applies to the minimalist lifestyle. The idea is to de-clutter the area around you and to avoid accumulating more by simply not buying things you donโ€™t need.โ€

YES! I like, I like! Now, anyone who knows me in REAL LIFE would probably tell you that I represent the opposite of minimalism ;) I have frames & art all over my walls, drawers stuffed with trinkets, collections of things I canโ€™t give up, boxes of 8th grade notes, etc etcโ€ฆin fact, I wouldnโ€™t be surprised if people mistaken our place for an antique store! Or at least a thrift store. hahaโ€ฆSo yeah, this would def. be a challenge for me. But like I said, in theory Iโ€™m all about it!

Minimalist Lifestyle = Fewer Things On Mind

As I get older, Iโ€™m realizing that the more stuff I have the more stuff I have to WORRY about. I really hate that. I could honestly say that I love 75% of the items I own, but Iโ€™m starting to wonder if itโ€™s worth the mental price tag. I mean, how could I appreciate what I really own when Iโ€™m in front of the TV or laptop all the time anyways? I dunnoโ€ฆ

The other side of me asks me what the hell Iโ€™m talking about ;) I LOVE all the artwork and pictures watching over us as we roam the halls. They scream LIFE, HAPPINESS, CREATIVITY โ€“ so whatโ€™s bad about that? Nothing I donโ€™t think, as long as I keep and appreciate *those* belongings and instead rid myself of the other junk lying around. I guess thatโ€™s the first step here โ€“ dividing your stuff up into things you absolutely enjoy, and then all others under it. No real gray areas โ€“ either you love it or itโ€™s โ€œso-soโ€ and itโ€™s taking up space. (thereโ€™s probably a 3rd category of things you *need* like tools and such too, but not sure where that fits in with this lifestyle)

Minimalist Lifestyle = Less Clutter

If the brain power wasnโ€™t enough, the physical part is. Every day we go through our front door, see 1,000+ things instantly, and then brush most of it away to concentrate on the items needed that very second. And thatโ€™s just the first level! If you have 2 more (like we do), the same thing occurs every time you walk through. Itโ€™s not the end of the world, but I bet your brain would feel a lot better seeing LESS stuff around the house. Or I guess less UNNECESSARY stuff as we have already determined (or at least I did with the art everywhere โ€“ if those arenโ€™t important to you they go right into YOUR so-so bin).

And guess what? The fewer things you own the less maintenance/upkeep you have to shell out money on! No more fixing unimportant (to you) gadgets, toys, collections, etc etc. Iโ€™m telling you, if you could pull it off I bet youโ€™d be a lot happier :)

And having less clutter around the house is just the first half of it all. If you can clean things out, and STICK to it, the desire to buy more and more stuff would diminish along with it. After all, if you keep buying things theyโ€™ll go right back on the shelves and drawers that you just worked so hard to freshen up, right? That means less money going out the door, and a fatter savings account. Or at least a house full of *must haves* if you subscribe to the โ€œbuy something โ€“ throw something else outโ€ rule.

Buy Something โ€“ Throw Something Out

If you/I can pull this whole minimalist lifestyle off, I think this is a rule that would help us stay on track. Say, for example, you DO get all your belongings down to 500 (or whatever # you choose) and you want to pick up a new such & such. You have to then ask your self โ€“ โ€œWill I enjoy, or need, this item more than any other of my 500 things?โ€ If that answer is Yes, then go for it! And then sell/donate the item you want to replace it with. Simple :) If you were Mr/Mrs. Perfect of course.

So what do you take from all of this? Well, it all depends on how happy or not you are with your lifestyle. For me, I could use the de-cluttering. I donโ€™t think I could get my life down to only 100 items or a liter bottle full (seriously, thatโ€™s hardcore), BUT I could certainly cut it in half. Perhaps a 1,000 items challenge? I dunnoโ€ฆI just find this whole minimalism stuff incredibly inspiring.

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29 Comments

  1. Finance February 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM

    Well I will be honest. I am living a minimalistic life. I gain $20-25/week and I only eat small and cheap foods. If you adhere with this such lifestyle, I tell you, you might enjoy and understand the meaning of life.

  2. Frugal Babe May 4, 2010 at 12:36 PM

    Iโ€™ve been getting more and more excited about minimalism for the last few weeks. My family and I are living our dream of having a huge garden (this is the first year here, but weโ€™re hoping that eventually most of our food will grow in our own backyard). So obviously weโ€™re not interested in living out of a backpack or having only 100 things. But I am interested in rooms with lots of open space, flat surfaces without a bunch of stuff on them, clear floors and walls, and no โ€œblack holeโ€ storage areas in the house or basement. Itโ€™s a work in progress, but so far Iโ€™ve filled the car twice with donations for Goodwill, and Iโ€™m on a roll. Iโ€™m also doing pretty well with avoiding going into Goodwill โ€œjust to lookโ€ when I drop off the donations!

  3. J. Money May 4, 2010 at 3:50 PM

    @Finance โ€“ I believe it! Iโ€™ve got a WAYYYYYS to go right now, but Iโ€™m slowly but surely getting there ;)

    @Frugal Babe โ€“ There you go! That is awesome :) If you can keep up that momentum you will be soooo much happier! I go in little spurts of energy here and there but Iโ€™ve cut out bringing IN stuff pretty drastically. Trying to keep with the โ€œ1 in, 1 outโ€ rule too โ€“ just kinda hard. hahaโ€ฆ

    I wish I hadnโ€™t lost all the other comments that were here when this originally posted as there was some great discussions going onโ€ฆ.some FOR minimalism and some knocking it โ€“ but regardless it was great to hear varied opinions on it all :) Oh well, thatโ€™s what I get for not starting on WordPress to begin with.

  4. caston July 4, 2010 at 12:58 PM

    living the minimalist lifestyle is sparking my curiosity. i lived like this before i got married, but i did not know it had a name. my wife loves to buy things and decorate our house way to much. how can i convince her to get rid of so much junk?

  5. J. Money July 5, 2010 at 1:04 AM

    Hah! Unless itโ€™s โ€œjunkโ€ to her, not much you can do ;) Iโ€™ve been doing better about it myself, but still hard to get rid of wall decorations I really like seeing up. The second they start cluttering my head more will be the second theyโ€™re out the door.

  6. savvysavingbytes July 12, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    Iโ€™ve always lived a minimal lifestyle and I feel, like you, that all my art on the walls can never be considered excessive. Art feeds the soul.

    I also go along with the: when you buy a new thing โ€” throw out an old one, but I do it mostly out of necessity. Having a leprechaun-size apartment keeps my buying habits in check.

  7. J. Money July 12, 2010 at 3:56 PM

    That would do it :) And totally agree โ€“ Art does feed the soul! Esp if you are the artist behind the work.

  8. Hope Henry July 30, 2010 at 1:25 PM

    J. Money, If you mat your pictures so that several will each fit in one size frame (and you create an easy-off back for each frame), you can file your pictures in a flat container, such as an artistโ€™s portfolio, and hang a limited number at a time. It is less cluttering to your mind, takes very little space to store (the portfolio could be hung on the wall behind your clothes in the closet), and you get NEW pictures every time you change them outโ€ฆ
    My father was an artist and I love his prints, but I hate a cluttered wallโ€ฆI find my pictures more satisfying if they are allowed to be special enough to be noticed. Changing them out also keeps them from becoming ignored background.
    You could also put two or three behind one another in a frame to store them, but, depending on the medium, you might end up with one bleeding onto another (I also come from a damp climate :O) ).

  9. J. Money July 31, 2010 at 12:02 PM

    Not a bad idea my man! I like the fresh look every now and then too โ€“ something that rarely pops in my mind when decorating. Most of my artwork is framed in big gaudy gold & silver frames (like a king!) but it would be nice to switch โ€™em out every now and then. The funny part here is that I went from 1 bedroom to 3 levels of house and everything I had pretty much filled the walls of the entire place! hahaโ€ฆ so now my art is more spaced out, but itโ€™s still a lot.

    I will say, however, ever since writing this post I havenโ€™t accumulated much stuff at all! And Iโ€™m still sticking to the โ€œone thing in, one thing outโ€ rule. Gets easier as time goes on :) Thanks for the idea!

  10. Jonha @ Happiness October 5, 2010 at 8:47 PM

    I donโ€™t think Budget is just Sexy, how you connect with your readers and truly make them feel that theyโ€™re part of some community is what matters the most! And yes, I like how you can simple lifestyle as minimalist.

  11. J. Money October 7, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    Thx my friend :)

  12. Skint in the City May 22, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    From being a hoarder and a clutterbug all my life Iโ€™m becoming more and more into minimalism the older I get. Especially with my wardrobe. The way I see it now, the fewer clothes I have, the more I get to wear what Iโ€™ve got โ€“ and the easier it is to find stuff. I got sick of wasting money on new clothes because my wardrobe was so cramped I forgot what I had. Now, as soon as I buy something new, an old garment has to go to ebay or the charity shop.

  13. J. Money May 23, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    YES! I love that way of doing things too. Sometimes I forget until I go to put that new shirt away and realize I then have to get rid of something, but I made up a new rule that it can be *anything* at all. If I love all my shirts and I bring home another one, I can get rid of something else in the house and call it even. Just as long as Iโ€™m not adding MORE stuff to the house.

    Glad youโ€™re no longer a hoarder!

  14. Military Traveler August 4, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Military moves are good for trying to maintain the minimalist lifestyle. We are trying to teach our children that principle as well. Before and after our 2 years moves (for the past 10 years) and every time we want or happen to obtain something, we have to get rid of something else as you discussed. Itโ€™s worked for us so far. Also, if I need something, I try to shop online for it specifically. It avoids many of the in-person impulse buys. And I like a good bargain, but as my mother always said, โ€œItโ€™s not a bargain unless you truly โ€œneedโ€ it AND find it at a good price:)โ€.

    But my challenge is timeโ€ฆbecause weโ€™re only in an area for a short period, I often over schedule our family to see and do as many activities as physically and emotionally possible!!!! Letโ€™s just say that over the summer, my detail oriented 5 year old has asked for the next dayโ€™s scheduleโ€ฆ..I guess to prepare himself. I need some work in that area.

  15. J. Money August 14, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    Hah! That is awesome :) And I totally get the whole military life too โ€“ we moved over 20 times due to dad being in the military. I miss (and loved) all of it! Though now I have trouble settling down in one spot, hahaโ€ฆ but thanks for reaching out. Itโ€™s a good reminder for me to continue doing the โ€œone in, one outโ€ thing too โ€“ I tend to forget ;)

    (Also, AWESOME blog name! Hahaโ€ฆ โ€œSisterhood of the Traveling Military Pantsโ€ โ€“ I love it)

  16. mi$$y September 15, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    i have lived the minimalist lifestyle since ~ 2001. I gave away my tv, garments i didnโ€™t wear, etc. Now iโ€™m married with a toddler, and thankfully my husband loves minimalism too!! yes, no clutter = serenity. you know what you have, and you focus on whatโ€™s important โ€” not the next thing to buy or get. we donโ€™t own a tv; not b/c we cannot buy one, but b/c itโ€™s clutter right now. we have one laptop, which at night we often use to stream tv or movies on free sites like hulu.com, veetle.com, et al. We have one car, too. itโ€™s not bad. living more simply enables you to truly appreciate the finer things in life (family, friends, nature, etc.), and connect with God. Yes, faith is at the top of the pyramid regardless of stuff.

  17. J. Money September 15, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    I like!!! All great things to keep in perspective :) Thanks for sharing mi$$y, hahaโ€ฆ dope name too.

  18. Genevieve Parker Hill January 24, 2014 at 2:21 AM

    Wonderful! I shared this with readers in the Minimalist Living community on FB, which you all are so welcome to join: https://www.facebook.com/mnmlstlvng

    1. J. Money January 24, 2014 at 7:22 AM

      Awesome, glad you enjoyed it :) Will check out your site!

  19. peabright green October 23, 2014 at 6:20 PM

    I guess you could say Iโ€™m a quasi-minimalistโ€ฆI have the mindset but putting it into action is my biggest concern. My biggest obstacle is my massive book and CD collectionโ€ฆbut I am slowly determining what I really need and acting accordinglyโ€ฆand it feels good to see free shelf space again. Growing up I always felt that our family crest included the motto โ€œDonโ€™t throw that away, it might be good for somethingโ€. I lived with my mother and grandparents, all of whom lived thru the Depression in Appalachia so they were loathe to get rid of anything. My grandmother would beg me to help clean the basement but would stop me before I threw anything away. So basically โ€ cleaningโ€ was simply rearranging clutter. My brother is still like that. The way he sees it, he PAID for all that stuff so heโ€™s keeping itโ€ฆ.even if it is worthless or obsolete. Therefore incurring fees for storage rental units, new outbuildings, etc. I remember my mother had a storage unit for some of her possessions and after she died it took us months to clear it outโ€ฆall that time having to pay rent on itโ€ฆand the stored goods couldnโ€™t even be sold for enough to pay the rent. As I get older I am more and more drawn to the saying, โ€œYou donโ€™t own possessions, possessions own you.โ€

    1. J. Money October 25, 2014 at 8:27 PM

      Yeah, lots of people out there like that. Totally makes sense to a degree, but at the end of the day itโ€™s all about doing what makes you happier and stress-free. If itโ€™s hoarding stuff, well, I guess more power to you. But I know personally it seems the more I get rid of the more free I feel so gonna keep on riding the train :)

      And looking at the date of when I published this, the mindset isnโ€™t new anymore โ€“ itโ€™s been 5 years, wow!

  20. Pol le Breton September 19, 2015 at 8:43 PM

    It is weird. There is more to it than we think (& say). We (spouse & me) lost everything we had except some money in the bank. No home, no car, no clothes, no books, nothing but relatives, friends & a little cash. I never felt so happy.

    We started again to own things (on a minmalist level) & we are happyโ€ฆ yet not as deeply happy as when we had nothing (almost). This is a total mystery to me. If someone could explain this rationally, I would like to hear from him.

    1. J. Money September 22, 2015 at 4:09 PM

      oh wow โ€“ thatโ€™s incredible.

      Iโ€™m still learning as I go here, but I can say that in the past 6 years since publishing this post Iโ€™ve gotten happier and happier the more Iโ€™ve shed myself. I probably have a good 50% less than I owned since then (though not including kid stuff as weโ€™ve had two baby boys in the time span โ€“ hah!) but Iโ€™m considering going down to just 2-3% of my stuff and really try to go for the gold. I seem to get a high every time I sell or donate something and Iโ€™m addicted! Itโ€™ll be interesting to see what happens when Iโ€™ve gotten rid of as much as I can and what I turn to next :)

      But yes โ€“ owning less seems to free up the mind and stress (and save money!), which is prob why it makes us happier. Either that, or weโ€™re buying the wrong stuff โ€“ hah.

  21. Dennis B. February 19, 2017 at 7:14 PM

    Great read. Lots of great comments here too. I started being a minimalist about two and a half years ago. I live by a 100 item rule and it works for me. Now that I am not as materialistic, it has helped me gain control of my finances. Ive never been good with money. I also have a restless heart and sobI move around a lot. This is a great way to move from place to place without quite all the headaches. Investing in wool products has been a big help as well. Rather than 20 pairs of socks and 12 pairs of underwear, I have 4 pairs of wool socks and 3 pairs of underwear. Sounds kind of foul I know, but with the moisture wicking properties you can wear wool much longer than cotton.

    1. J. Money February 23, 2017 at 2:45 PM

      Nice! Iโ€™m still working at it myself after all these years, but definitely WORLDS ahead of where I used to be. And feel damn good, too :)

  22. Ann Marie Stewart March 14, 2019 at 8:02 AM

    Now that itโ€™s been several years, how has minimalism benefited you? For me itโ€™s a cornerstone for having a budget and getting out of debt. Has your minimalism led to an intersection with zero waste? Iโ€™m just getting to that point myself.

    1. J. Money March 14, 2019 at 9:55 AM

      YES TO ALL!!

      Not as much Zero Waste as Iโ€™d like it to be (went through a good obsessing a few years back but have slipped a little), but minimalism wise my entire MIND is different now. And loving every bit of it :) Iโ€™m 100x more conscious with what I consume and how it makes me feel and whatโ€™s more important vs whatโ€™s not, etcโ€ฆ I still slip at times, but fortunately Iโ€m better about getting rid of stuff too so the times when I do mess up I quickly make myself feel better by getting it out of the house :) (usually by donating or re-selling)

      So yes โ€“ still going strong baby!!! Incredible how this community online can influence your lifeโ€ฆ Almost a decade now of being more FREE!

  23. Holly Ruehlin October 21, 2019 at 6:27 PM

    Thanks for your post! Love the minimalist thinking and doing. In addition to the one-in-one out habit, for the past few years, Iโ€™ve been donating one bag per week to good will โ€“ 52 bags per year does add up! House is much easier to manage. No more junk drawers, no more stuffed closets, and the garage is on the path to becoming manageable.

    1. J. Money October 22, 2019 at 5:14 AM

      Rock on!!!!

      What an excellent challenge!