The minimalist lifestyle is often depicted as all things are. As a competition. Minimalists should own as few things as possible. They should wear the same outfit every single day. And if you own furniture, you’re not really a minimalist, are you?
Although this is how minimalism is popularly portrayed, the reality is that the minimalist lifestyle is not defined by any one thing.
Being a minimalist in all aspects of life comes down to having a minimalist mindset. Not the amount of stuff you own.
So, What is the Minimalist Lifestyle, Really?
The minimalist lifestyle is a choice to live more intentionally. As a minimalist, you identify what is essential in your life and let go of everything that isn’t.
Minimalists find happiness not through the things that they own, but through life itself.
What Does It Mean to Be a Minimalist in All Aspects of Life?
Although minimalism is most commonly associated with owning (or not owning) physical belongings, this minimalist mindset can translate into all aspects of life.
You can become a minimalist in all aspects of life by adopting a ‘less is more’ mindset.
By simplifying your relationships, habits, the food you eat and the job you have, you can fully align yourself with minimalist values.
Benefits of Being a Minimalist in All Aspects of Life
So, what are the benefits to being a minimalist in all aspects of life? Well, the more aligned you are with your values, the more authentic you will feel.
There’s nothing worse than showing up for work every day, feeling like your values don’t align with your company or the job itself. Or maintaining relationships that are pulling you further from your goals.
Embracing minimalism in all aspects of your life will ensure that you are consistently showing up as the most authentic version of yourself; whether you’re at work, out with your friends or getting dressed in the morning.
I’m going to break down all of the areas in life where you can embrace a minimalist mindset.
Let’s get into it!
11 Areas of Your Life to Embrace a Minimalist Mindset
Below are some ways to fully embrace minimalism so that you can live a more intentional life.
1. Relationships
Your relationships should be up lifting. When you spend time with the people in your life, you should feel energized and inspired.
If any of your relationships are holding you back from being your best self, let them go.
At its core, minimalism is about letting go. Letting go of anything that isn’t allowing you to be your best self. Although most people associate minimalism with letting go of physical clutter, the lifestyle also encourages letting go of people in your life that aren’t allowing you to be your most authentic self.
By letting go of relationships that aren’t serving you, you are making space for better relationships to take their place.
2. Hobbies
There is a common misconception that minimalists can’t have hobbies. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Although minimalism is about living with less, it should never be at the cost of happiness.
If the hobbies you have bring you joy, don’t stop pursuing them in hopes of being more ‘minimal’. Instead, adopt a minimalist mindset when it comes to your hobbies.
Here’s how!
5 Ways to Adopt a Minimalist Mindset Around Hobbies
1. Don’t jump into a bunch of hobbies at onCE
Choose the hobbies that you are most excited about and focus on those.
2. Try to use what you already have
Instead of buying everything you need right off the bat, start with the basics and reward yourself with things that will enhance your hobby over time.
Ask yourself this; are you purchasing gear because you absolutely need it, or do you feel pressure to fit in with what’s ‘normal’ for that hobby?
Resist the temptation to buy the latest gear. Despite what the marketing will have you believe, having this new gear won’t improve your skills. Making this distinction will go a long way in your minimalist journey.
3. Don’t buy what you think you “might” need
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of starting a new hobby and buy a bunch of stuff you think you’ll need. Unfortunately, you may end up not using half of those things.
The best way to ensure that you are only buying things that you actually need is to purchase 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. Don’t purchase multiples
When starting a new hobby, don’t buy multiples of the same item. Instead, invest in good quality gear that will last.
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.
5. Keep Your Gear Well Maintained
Take good care of your gear so that you aren’t needing to replace it as often.
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. So, be mindful!
3. Fitness
Keep your fitness regimen simple and minimal.
Run, lift weights and stretch.
These simple physical activities are much more accessible because they require very little equipment.
4. Habits
Make minimal and sustainable habits and focus on building one good habit at a time.
Expecting to change your life overnight will leave you discouraged.
Instead of telling yourself that you’ll start cooking for yourself, going to bed early, journaling, meditating and exercising every day, take one step at a time. Expanding one area of your life at a time will ensure your success.
5. Work
As a minimalist, you’ll want to find a job that is flexible, provides a healthy work life balance, has good company ethics, is low stress and pays a livable wage.
Minimalism is about cutting out the excess. This includes excess stress from work, overtime, and excess work drama from a toxic culture.
6. Digital Space
In the same way that a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind, a cluttered digital space can have the same effect.
If the storage space in your computer is filled with old files or the camera roll on your phone is taken up by meaningless photos, clear them out!
Work towards getting rid of apps on your phone unless you actively use them. Clear out your email inbox.
Don’t neglect your digital space when simplifying your life.
7. Home
Simplifying the home is where most aspiring minimalists start their journey.
Instead of jumping right into decluttering mode, start by changing your spending and collecting habits first.
Cut back on your shopping and work on letting go of things before they find a way into your home. Doing so will ensure that you don’t find yourself in an endless loop of decluttering, collecting and decluttering once again.
Purge your belongings slowly and intentionally. Get rid of the things that you know you don’t need first. Only then should you address the items in your home that you could maybe live without.
Don’t declutter impulsively. Minimalism should be a sustainable journey.
If you declutter your home and find yourself needing things you got rid of, slow down.
8. Food
Work towards cooking the majority of your meals at home. Keep your recipes simple. Cook with versatile ingredients. Doing so will keep your pantry and fridge from becoming cluttered with spices and sauces that you bought for an elaborate recipe and never used again.
9. Skincare and Makeup
Cleanse, moisturize and protect with SPF.
Keep your skincare routine simple. Find products that work and stick to them. Avoid using harsh ingredients, taking on a 20 step skincare regimen or rotating products too frequently.
It’s easy to buy into the claims that skincare companies sell. Promises of wrinkle free, clear and flawless skin. Most skincare products aren’t miracle workers. If you buy all the skincare products on the market in hopes that one will finally give you a perfect complexion, you’ll spend so much time, money and energy for nothing.
Same goes for makeup.
Resist the urge to collect makeup. Find a few staple products that accentuate your natural beauty and stick to them. Work on streamlining your everyday makeup routine so that it is quick and simple.
10. Wardrobe
Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest you wear the same all black outfit every single day. But do embrace outfit repeating.
Put together several outfits around scenarios you frequently find yourself in. That way, you already have outfits planned and ready to go.
Get rid of all the excess. Declutter your wardrobe and change your spending and collecting habits so that you don’t accumulate any more clothing.
If you struggle to maintain a clutter free wardrobe, here are 12 decluttering mistakes to avoid.
If you’d like to embrace a more minimal wardrobe, here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when building an extreme minimalist wardrobe.
11. Finances
Managing money like a minimalist can be broken down into four simple steps.
- Audit your expenses. Figure out exactly where your money is going.
- Create a realistic budget. It’s possible to live on any income if you plan out your monthly spending. Here’s how I live on $2000 a month (and still save each month!)
- Embrace frugal living. Adopt frugal habits to limit your spending in these areas.
- Set achievable saving goals. Make them realistic and take action.
Here are 21 ways to save money on groceries and 22 tips to stop shopping impulsively.
What to Do Next
Take action! Becoming a minimalist in all aspects of life doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with one small step. Choose one area from the list above and start there. Work through the list slowly and intentionally. Although you may be inspired to simplify all areas of your life at once, this approach is not sustainable. Becoming a minimalist after years and years of frivolous spending and wasted time is not easy. It’s a complete mindset shift. Give yourself time and grace as you set out on your minimalist journey.
So, where in your life do you plan to embrace minimalism first?
Dot Johnston says
I must read and heed . I feel like I am choking on stuff ! It makes me so busy minded that I can’t relax.
I also don’t like letting go of pictures, handwritten recipes, clothes, what nots , stuff that still works , etc
barefootminimalists says
Hi Dot! Thank you for reading. It’s so hard to declutter, especially when things still work. Check out my latest post, ‘No More Excuses: The Secret to Decluttering Your Space’. Hope it helps and good luck 🙂