My Minimalist Experiment: Was It Worth The Hype?
Why I Wanted to Try Minimalism in the First Place
Okay, so, minimalism. It felt like it was *everywhere* a few years ago. I’d see these perfectly curated apartments on Instagram, all white walls and like, three possessions. Honestly? I was intrigued. My apartment at the time? A disaster zone. Piles of clothes I hadn’t worn in years, books I’d probably never read, kitchen gadgets I bought on a whim and never used. The sheer volume of stuff was overwhelming. I felt like I was drowning in… well, stuff.
I started reading about the philosophy behind minimalism. It wasn’t just about having less *things*, but about having more *life*. More time, more freedom, more energy. The idea was that by getting rid of the excess, you could focus on what truly mattered. Sounded good to me. I was stressed, overworked, and feeling generally unfulfilled. Maybe getting rid of half my belongings was the answer? Who even knows. So I decided to give it a shot. I mean, what did I have to lose… besides, well, everything?
I think a big part of it too was the nagging feeling that I was defined by what I owned. Like, if I had the latest iPhone, the coolest shoes, the trendiest furniture, then I would somehow be…better? More worthy? That’s a pretty toxic cycle, and I knew I needed to break free from it. Minimalism seemed like a way to do just that.
The Great Purge: My Minimalist Starting Point
The first step? The dreaded purge. I started with my closet. Ugh, what a mess. I swear I had clothes in there I hadn’t seen since college. The rule I set for myself was simple: if I hadn’t worn it in the last year, it had to go. This proved to be harder than I thought. There were sentimental items, things I was “saving” for a special occasion, and clothes that “might come back in style.” I ended up donating several large bags of clothes. It felt… good, actually. A weight lifted off my shoulders, metaphorically and literally.
Next up was the bookshelf. This was even tougher. I love books. I love the *idea* of reading them, anyway. I had stacks of unread books that I’d been meaning to get to “someday.” I realized I was never going to read them. So I donated them to the local library.
The kitchen was next, and that’s where things got a little crazy. I had, like, three different garlic presses. Why? Who needs three garlic presses? I got rid of duplicates, appliances I never used, and a bunch of random gadgets that seemed like a good idea at the time. My counter space looked amazing. For the first time in years, I could actually see it. I even listed some of it on Facebook Marketplace and made a bit of cash. Win win!
My Minimalist “Fail”: The Sentimental Stuff
Okay, here’s where I admit I totally chickened out. There were certain things I just couldn’t get rid of. Photos, letters, old journals… things that held a lot of emotional weight. I tried to convince myself that minimalism was about living in the *present*, not dwelling on the *past*. But I just couldn’t do it.
I think I’m okay with this. It’s kind of like, what’s the point of living a minimalist life if you’re miserable doing it? I realized that minimalism isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. And being intentional about holding onto the things that bring you joy, even if they don’t fit the minimalist aesthetic.
So, I ended up packing all my sentimental items into a single box. It’s not exactly minimalist, but it works for me. I know some people would consider it a failure, but honestly, I don’t care. It’s my version of minimalism.
What I Gained from My Minimalist Journey
The funny thing is, even though I didn’t go full-on minimalist, I still gained a lot from the experience. I mean, yeah, I definitely have fewer possessions now. But more importantly, I’m more conscious of what I bring into my life. I think before I buy something. Do I really need it? Will it add value to my life? Or is it just another impulse purchase that will end up cluttering my space and my mind?
I also realized that experiences are far more valuable than things. Instead of buying the latest gadget, I’d rather spend that money on a trip, a concert, or a nice dinner with friends. Memories last longer than possessions, and they’re way more fulfilling. I stayed up until 1 a.m. one night booking a spontaneous trip to New Orleans… that’s the kind of thing I never would have done before!
My apartment is also just a much nicer place to be. It’s cleaner, less cluttered, and more peaceful. I actually enjoy spending time in my space now. I’m less stressed, more focused, and generally happier.
Was It Worth It? My Honest Answer
So, was my minimalist experiment worth the hype? Honestly? Yes and no. I didn’t become a minimalist guru living in a tiny house with only ten possessions. I still have a TV, a comfortable couch, and way too many books.
But I did learn a lot about myself, my relationship with possessions, and what truly matters to me. I realized that minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all philosophy. It’s about finding what works for you. It’s about living intentionally and focusing on what brings you joy. It’s about creating a life that’s simple, meaningful, and fulfilling.
And for me, that means keeping the sentimental stuff. So, while I might not be a “true” minimalist, I’m definitely a happier, more conscious consumer. And that’s a win in my book.
What’s Next On My Mind?
You know, I’m not entirely sure what the next “big project” for me will be. Maybe decluttering my digital life? I’ve got thousands of photos on my phone that I never look at. Or maybe it’s about focusing on my relationships and really making an effort to connect with the people I care about. Who even knows what’s next?
But whatever it is, I know that I’ll approach it with the same mindset I learned from my minimalist journey: be intentional, be mindful, and focus on what truly matters.
If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into other decluttering methods, maybe like Marie Kondo’s approach. It’s pretty popular, and it might resonate with you. I didn’t follow it religiously, but it gave me some good starting points.
