It’s important to recognize that there isn’t just one way to be a minimalist. Minimalism exists on a spectrum. Anyone who decides to start their minimalist journey can choose to take it in any direction they’d like.
There are many minimalists who choose a more extreme route. Deciding that their version of minimalism is to only own 100 items or what can fit into a backpack, for instance. Although this is a very valid approach to minimalism, it is not the only approach.
One of my main barriers to being an extreme minimalist is that all of my hobbies require quite a bit of gear and I have no desire to stop pursuing them – and that’s okay! Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of as many things as possible and living with the bare minimum, it is about living with more meaningful stuff and getting rid of the things that don’t bring value to your life.
If your hobbies bring you joy, there is no reason to stop pursuing them in an attempt to live more minimally. Instead, find ways to be more intentional with the hobbies you choose to keep and the things you purchase in order to maintain them.
Below is a complete guide to balancing minimalism and your hobbies.
How many hobbies should a minimalist have?
There is no predetermined limit on the number of hobbies one should pursue as a minimalist. Instead, the focus should be on the intentionality and mindfulness behind the hobbies chosen.
As a minimalist, it’s important to prioritize hobbies that truly bring joy, fulfillment, and value to your life. Rather than spreading yourself thin across numerous activities, it’s important to concentrate on a few hobbies that you are genuinely passionate about. By doing so, you can dedicate your time, energy, and resources to those select activities.
The key is to strike a balance between having enough hobbies to engage and explore your interests while ensuring that they don’t overwhelm your lifestyle or lead to excessive clutter. Remember, the essence of minimalism lies in simplifying and decluttering, so it’s crucial to be mindful of the hobbies you choose to pursue and the impact they have on your overall well-being and living space.
Can you be a minimalist with hobbies?
Being a minimalist with hobbies is not only possible but also a wonderful way to infuse intentionality and purpose into your passions. Many people mistakenly believe that minimalism requires sacrificing hobbies or abandoning the things that bring them joy. However, the truth is that minimalism is all about prioritizing what truly matters, which in turn eliminates the unnecessary physical and mental clutter that weighs us down.
So, can you be a minimalist with hobbies? Absolutely! It’s about finding a balance that allows you to pursue your hobbies and interests while being mindful of the gear, space and time they require.
7 Tips to Balance Minimalism and Your Hobbies
Below are 7 tips for balancing a minimalist lifestyle and hobbies.
1. Don’t jump into a bunch of hobbies at once
Although diversifying your interests is fun and exciting, if you plan on buying gear for all of the hobbies you want to pursue, try starting with one hobby at a time. This will keep you from accumulating stuff for a bunch of hobbies you may never have time to start!
2. Try to use what you already have
Resist the temptation to buy something new to supplement your hobby, instead, try to use what you already have for as long as you can.
When I decided to get into figure skating it was very tempting to buy all of the nice gear that came with it. The cute tights, leg warmers and carrier bag made specifically for ice skates. In reality, none of those things were necessary for me to get started. They also didn’t make me any better at the sport. The only thing that those items did help me with was the imposter syndrome I felt around the talented skaters I shared the ice with. Instead of buying everything right off the bat, reward yourself with things that will enhance your hobby over time.
Are you purchasing gear because you absolutely need it, or is there a pressure to fit in with what’s normal for that hobby? Making that distinction will go a long way in your journey towards minimalism.
3. Don’t buy what you think you “might” need
When starting a new hobby, it’s natural to get excited and buy a bunch of stuff you think you’ll need. A lot of the time, you end up not using half of those things. The best way to ensure that you aren’t buying things that you won’t use is to take the process of buying things for your new hobby, fairly slow. Only buy things that you will need to start and don’t buy anything else until you’re 100% sure you’ll need it.
4. Borrow equipment instead of purchasing it
Some hobbies require a lot of equipment. Welding, woodworking, jewelry making, ceramics, to name a few. Whether its cost, lack of space, a minimalist lifestyle, or the desire to try a hobby first before buying all the gear for it, there are many reasons why you wouldn’t want to own all of the gear that these hobbies require.
Choosing not to own the gear doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue the hobby. There are plenty of ways to get your hands on the equipment you’ll need!
- Join a makerspace! A makerspace is a membership based co-working facility that gives members access to a variety of tools and equipment. If you are interested in starting a hobby that requires a lot of specialty equipment like 3D printing, laser cutting, wood working, welding or ceramics, joining a makerspace is the right choice for you.
- Ask your friends or family first! This tip might seem obvious but it’s often forgotten. Before going out and purchasing gear or equipment, reach out to friends and family to see if they have something that you can borrow or even buy off of them. It’s such a great way to save some coin and keep things in rotation.
- Renting out equipment is a great way to try before you buy! From camping gear to archery equipment, the gear that you can rent out is endless. Check out your favorite outdoor recreation store to see if they have rentals. REI has a great program for this!
5. Don’t purchase multiples
Instead of buying multiples of the same item, invest in a good quality piece of equipment that will last and that you’re excited to use every time. Although it’s tempting to buy gear in different colors and from different brands, in reality, most people choose a favorite (whether that’s clothing, a helmet, etc) and stick to it, even if they have other options.
6. Keep your gear well maintained
Taking good care of your stuff is important to ensure that you aren’t rebuying things constantly. It’s easy to look after your gear when it’s new, but not as easy to remember to treat the things you’ve had for a long time with care.
As a painter, I make sure to thoroughly clean my brushes before storing them away so that they last longer. Brushes can get destroyed very easily when they aren’t properly taken care of and can be very expensive to repurchase.
7. Opt for the travel version
Opting for the travel version of an item is a great space saving technique. For example, minimalist musicians can opt for a travel sized guitar over a full sized one and artists can choose a compact easel instead of a large, floor easel. Whatever hobby you are pursuing, try and find smaller versions of the things that you’ll need.
To Wrap It Up
The act of caring for the things you own is not always easy. I find myself making excuses quite often. Telling myself that I’m too tired to clean up after myself and that I’ll do it in the morning. Ensuring that you are making a habit of taking care of your things in the moment, is the best way to make the things you own last as long as possible.
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