When I first began my minimalist journey, I remember feeling super overwhelmed. I read countless articles and watched dozens of videos where people were getting rid of their belongings, seemingly, without a second thought.
I decided to take a very different approach to decluttering. My primary intention was not to get rid of stuff as quickly as possible. Instead, I chose to focus on discovering exactly what I needed to live comfortably (but minimally) and what things didn’t add value to my life.
For those first few months, I stored things away that I thought I could live without and tried my best not to reach for those items. If a few weeks went by and I didn’t find myself needing those things, that’s when I would get rid of them. Through this process I began discovering exactly what I could and could not live without.
It’s been years now, and I haven’t rebought any of the things I got rid of during that initial declutter.
Keep reading to discover the 33 things that I no longer buy or own as a minimalist!
Personal Care Items I Don’t Buy
I don’t know about you, but I love having a simple morning and evening routine. If I can be ready for bed or for the day in five minutes, that means more sleep (and who doesn’t love that!?)
Personal care shouldn’t be about spending hours pampering yourself with expensive products. Taking care of your body can be simple yet effective.
I’ve found that as a minimalist, I no longer need certain personal care items. Below are the ones I’ve stopped buying.
1. Tons of Skincare Products
I have stopped buying tons of skincare products. I no longer purchase products that promise anti-aging or perfect, blemish-free skin.
Unfortunately, a lot of the skincare products on the market don’t work. They use harsh ingredients that compromise the skin’s moisture barrier and usually do more harm than good. Instead of trying every new product in hopes that the latest one will finally work, I stick to a simple skincare routine consisting of products I know work.
2. Backup Hair Accessories
I used to own so many packs of backup hair accessories. Extra hair ties, bobby pins, you name it. I’ve found that by not having as many at my disposal, I’ve stopped loosing them as frequently.
3. Makeup That Isn’t Used Daily
Since becoming a minimalist, I’ve stopped trying out new makeup products. I found the products that work for my skin and have stuck to them. I still use the same brand of mascara that I wore in middle school! If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. You’ll save so much money by just sticking to what you know.
4. Pads and Tampons
When I became a minimalist, I switched from using pads and tampons to a menstrual cup. It’s way more convenient, affordable and better for the planet! I’ve been using the Diva Cup for years. I found this guide on their website super helpful when I first made the switch.
5. Conditioner
I also decided to stop using conditioner. It definitely took my hair some time to adjust, but now that it has, it takes way longer for it to get greasy. This means I don’t have to wash my hair as often. I went from buying a new bottle of shampoo every month to once every few months!
I’ve heard people have great luck with cutting out shampoo too but that’s a bit extreme for me.
6. Perfume and Scented Body Lotion
I’ve stopped buying perfume and scented body lotion. Deodorant does the trick!
7. Bath Bombs
Although having glittery bath water is fun, I find bath bombs to be pretty wasteful. It’s literally pouring money down the drain. Since becoming a minimalist, I’ve stopped buying them.
8. Supplements
Before I became a minimalist, I was very wrapped up in the latest supplement trends. I was taking Zinc for acne, Creatine for weight loss, Spirulina for inflammation.. the list goes on and on. I was under the impression that I needed supplements to achieve my health and fitness goals. That food alone wouldn’t supply me with all the necessary nutrients I needed to thrive. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Many supplements are just a concentrated form of a nutrient that you can get in certain foods. They aren’t magic pills and won’t undo a bad diet. By eating healthier (and not relying on supplements for my nutrients) I was able to fix most of the health issues I was dealing with. Since then, I’ve stopped falling for supplement scams and the latest trends. My bathroom cabinets are no longer overrun with pill bottles and I have saved so much money by not listening to the empty promises of supplement companies.
Kitchen Items I Don’t Buy
I’ve found that by reducing the amount of kitchen items I own, I have been able to keep my kitchen clutter free (and who doesn’t love coming home to a clean and organized kitchen?!)
Below are the items I stopped buying.
1. Most Kitchen Appliances
When it comes to owning kitchen appliances as a minimalist, my first rule is to only keep one’s around if they serve at least a dual purpose. A toaster, electric kettle and rice cooker don’t. Curious to know what other appliances you don’t need as a minimalist? Read this post!
2. Ingredients That Are Not Pantry/Fridge Staples
Before I became a minimalist, my pantry and fridge was so cluttered! I would buy an ingredient for a recipe and only use it once. Eventually that item would go bad, or, I would just toss it out knowing I’d never use it again.
To keep from accumulating ingredients that you won’t use regularly, figure out which foods are ‘staples’ in your diet and build your meals around those. These foods will get used up so quickly that they’ll never go bad or be forgotten in your pantry. This will save you so much money on groceries!
3. Extra Cutlery and Dinnerware
Owning extra cutlery and dinnerware is just not necessary for a minimalist kitchen. Owning just one set for every member of the household is enough to ensure that everyone can eat together.
If you invite guests over, just have them bring their own. It might sound weird to some, but most people won’t have an issue with it. They’re usually just excited to be invited over for a meal!
Click here to read about how many dishes you actually need.
4. Bulky Dish Drying Rack
I’ve gone through my fair share of dish drying racks, and let me tell you, they are not all created equal. If yours is leaking water all over your kitchen counters and taking up way too much space, get rid of it. Get this one instead!
5. Paper Towels
As a minimalist, I no longer buy paper towels. I use reusable dish towels instead.
6. Kitchen ‘Gadgets’
Avoid buying kitchen ‘gadgets’ that make cooking just a little bit easier. Ditch the apple slicer, garlic press and avocado peeler. You can easily accomplish the same task with an ordinary chef’s knife.
7. Cling Wrap and Plastic Sandwich Bags
Since becoming a minimalist I’ve stopped buying cling wrap and plastic sandwich bags. Instead, I use reusable options like beeswax and storage containers.
Clothing Items I Don’t Buy
I can’t remember the last time I stood in front of my closet and thought, I don’t have anything to wear. That’s the craziest part about having a minimalist wardrobe. You own way less clothing but love every single piece.
Having a minimalist wardrobe has cut the time it takes me to get ready in half! I no longer feel overwhelmed by tons of options.
Below are the clothing items I stopped buying to build the minimalist closet of my dreams.
1. Halloween Costumes
As fun as Halloween is, it can be very unsustainable. Instead of buying a brand new costume every year, put one together with what is already in your closet!
2. Brand New Clothes
As a minimalist, I no longer buy brand new clothes. If I find myself needing something, I buy it second hand. It is a way more sustainable and affordable option.
3. More Than One Pair of Shoes Per Category
There is no reason to keep more than one pair of each type of shoe. It’s nice to have variety, but let’s be honest, I only wear my favorite pairs anyway.
4. Shoe Rack
I haven’t owned a shoe rack in a long time. I simply place my shoes on the ground!
5. Sock and Underwear Packs
I don’t buy sock and underwear packs anymore. When I need a new pair of underwear or socks, I just buy a single pair. That way, I’m never compromising quality for quantity.
6. Inexpensive Jewelry
As fun as jewelry can be, inexpensive jewelry never lasts. It’ll usually tarnish or break before you get your moneys worth. As a minimalist, I only own a few pieces of jewelry and wear them every day.
7. Purses or Belts
I don’t own any purses or belts. I own one backpack which I use daily and simply avoid buying clothing that I would need a belt to wear.
8. Unnecessary Seasonal Clothing
I’ve moved around a lot. I went from living in Illinois to Texas to Washington all in the last 7 years. Each place I’ve lived has had a very distinct climate. When I was living in Texas, I had no need for snow boots. In Illinois, I wore my snow boots 30% of the year.
As a minimalist, I only buy seasonal items that I actually use! If I’m not wearing a seasonal item regularly, I get rid of it.
Home Items I Don’t Buy
As a minimalist, I no longer keep things in my home that add clutter! Below are the items I no longer buy or own.
1. Washing Machine and Dryer
I gave up owning a washing machine and dryer when I first started my minimalist journey. I was packing up all of my stuff to move across the country and didn’t want to spend the money on shipping such large items.
Since then, I’ve been washing my clothes by hand and going to the laundromat once a month to wash larger items. It’s worked out very well for me!
2. Single Use Cleaning Supplies
I no longer own any single use cleaning supplies. Instead, I opt for products that have multiple uses.
My favorites are Thieves Household Cleaner and Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile soap. With just these two products I am able to wash my clothes, clean my kitchen counters, mop my floors, spray my mirrors and scrub my toilet.
Interested in learning some more tips and tricks for doing household chores as a minimalist? Click here!
3. TV
As a minimalist, I don’t own a TV. Instead, I just use my laptop to watch my favorite movies and tv shows.
4. Desktop Computer
I don’t own a desktop computer. My laptop does the trick!
5. Seasonal Home Decor
There’s nothing that’ll get you in the holiday spirit quite like seasonal home decor. As fun as store bought seasonal home decor is, it isn’t worth the clutter. It will only be displayed for a few months out of the year and doesn’t serve any real purpose. That’s why, since becoming a minimalist, I’ve chosen to make my holiday decor instead!
I use natural materials like pine cones, sticks and citrus so I can easily compost the decorations after the holiday season is over. This blog post by Mindful of the Home has tons of fun ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
6. Outdoor Placemat
I’ve found outdoor placemats do more harm than good. Back when I used to have one, it was always coated in sand, dust and dirt. No matter how often I brushed it off, I couldn’t keep it clean.
Since getting rid of the placemat, I just sweep my front porch regularly. This helps keep me from tracking dirt into the house.
7. Candles and Plug in Air Fresheners
Choosing to stop purchasing plug in air fresheners and candles was the right call for several reasons. For one, I am no longer breathing in the potentially harmful chemicals that are in candles and air fresheners. Secondly, using these products burns through money (literally).
If I want to make my home smell extra fresh one day I just use my Thieves Household Cleaner, which has a vibrant, spicy, cinnamon aroma that smells just like the holidays! Baking something tasty or putting out some fresh flowers works just as well.
8. Clocks
At this point, clocks are purely decorative. I just use my phone as my alarm and to tell the time.
9. Throw Pillows and Decorative Rugs
I try and avoid buying home decor that is purely decorative. Instead of purchasing throw pillows and rugs, I chose to buy a couch with a funky pattern. The couch added some extra flare to my living space and I don’t feel the need to buy anything else.
10. Fake Plants
As a minimalist, I no longer buy fake plants. I’ve just never found any that look real. They also don’t hold any real value.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m a big plant lover. I have real plants all over my home.
Miscellaneous Items I Don’t Buy
Below are the items I don’t buy or own that didn’t fit into any of the categories above!
1. A Car
A few years ago, I sold my car and have been biking everywhere since. I can confidently say that changing the way I commute has been one of the best changes I’ve ever made. It has saved me so much money on gas, given me more opportunities to be present and helped me make exercise a regular part of my routine.
Don’t get me wrong though, biking everywhere has its downfalls. I can’t even count on two hands the amount of times I’ve had to ride home in torrential rain (I live in Washington after all). It’s worth it though!
2. Books
As a minimalist, I don’t buy books anymore. Instead, I swap books with friends or check them out at the library!
3. Souvenirs
I haven’t bought a souvenir in years. Instead, when I travel I try to be present and take plenty of photos to remember the trip by. If I do decide I want a souvenir, I buy something that I can actually use. For instance, instead of buying a magnet or postcard, I’ll opt for a mug.
Final Thoughts
When I decided to start living more minimally, I decluttered all of my belongings and vowed to stop buying things unless they added value to my life. These 33 items are just some of the many things that I no longer buy or own as a minimalist!
What items have you stopped buying since starting your minimalist journey? Let me know in the comments!
Linda Sand says
While I agree with most of this I do own two hats–one for summer and one for winter.