Be your own kind of minimalist

It's time to tear up the rulebook

If you Google ‘how to be a minimalist’ you will be flooded with information. Articles full of the steps you need to take before you can class yourself as a ‘minimalist’. A rulebook, in a sense.

This can be helpful. I certainly turned to the internet when I first started to learn about minimalism. However, now I’m a few years in, I’ve started to recognize the flaws in this ‘rulebook’ mentality.

Minimalism is not one size fits all. It’s far more fluid than this. We are all unique and that shouldn’t be cast aside just so you can join the minimal club.

Instead, I choose you use the concept of minimalism as a guideline. A tool that I can use to simplify, curate joy, but still very much live my own life.

I’ve included a few lessons I’ve learnt below of how I’ve used this tool and how you can too.

Your decluttering method

There is an endless amount of information out there on how you should declutter. Everyone has their own method and are keen to share their tips and tricks.

I’ve tried numerous methods myself and ended up with my own unique style. If you are just starting with minimalism, it can be useful to have a guidebook to follow. However, don’t feel like you have to stick to these.

Perhaps you prefer a little and often approach, rather than big overhaul declutters. You may want to declutter very regularly or prefer to get stuck in only a handful of times a year. You may like the comfort of having a ‘maybe pile’ or enjoy being more decisive with you decluttering. Although I tend to stick to the Mari Kondo method of decluttering by category, there are times that you may want to focus on a certain space instead e.g., a cluttered draw.

Experiment and find the method that works for you. As long as you are letting go of what you deem as ‘unnecessary’ items, you are doing a great job.

Your organisation

Keeping organized is a key concept in minimalism. From your home to your life generally, implementing organisational methods often saves time and gives you peace of mind.

Again, there are lots of methods on how you can achieve this. When it comes to your home, a common tip is to organize your items by category. This is a simple way to keep on top of tidying and you are less likely to lose items.

I do broadly stick to this myself and prefer to store similar items together, especially as I live in a tiny home. However, there are always some exceptions. For instance, I use books as part of my decor and like to have a few displayed around my home. You may have certain items that you prefer to keep in easy reach, even if that means you store them away from similar items.

Make organisation work for you.

Your joy exceptions

A key lesson in minimalism is to keep only what is functional/necessary or, in Mari Kono’s words, what sparks joy.

This idea of sparking joy is always going to be different for everyone. It can mean that you hang on to items or have multiples that aren’t entirely necessary.

In my case, my joy exception is mugs. Being raised by mug lovers, this feels inevitable. I adore collecting and displaying beautiful handmade mugs in my tiny home. It brings me real joy.

Your joy may be sparked by other items entirely. Or perhaps you value empty space over stuff, which is also entirely valid.

This is a personal choice, so don’t let the minimalism guilt force you to declutter for the sake of it. This helps no one and may put you off minimalism altogether.

Your own aesthetic

There is a common image of a minimal aesthetic. This usually includes, clear surfaces, neutral colours, clean lines and monochromatic wardrobes.

There is value to this aesthetic. It often simplifies life, such as making it easier to furnish your home or choose an outfit.

However, this can feel overly restrictive. Although I tend to prefer neutral colours, I also enjoy a cosy cottage feel in my home, such as painting my kitchen units in olive green and having an open pantry, as opposed to tucking everything away in cupboards.

Similarly with my wardrobe, I tend to have neutral basics but add in colours that I enjoy, such as blues and greens (watch my capsule wardrobe tour here).

Having less doesn’t need to be boring. Add all the colour you want and have fun!

Your lifestyle

Minimalism has to work with your lifestyle. It should be ingrained into your life rather than something ‘extra.’

This can mean stocking your wardrobe with functional clothes that you will actually wear. Or hanging on to items that you may not use regularly but bring real joy, like skiing gear.

Over time, this will become habit and you can be comfortable that you are your own kind of minimalist.

Minimalism can add so much value to your life, but only if you do it your way. I’d love to hear about your experience, if you have started minimising, so please do share in a comment below. What are your ‘joy exceptions?’

Until next week

Molly xx

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