About a year ago I discovered minimalism by reading the book Living With Less, by Joshua Becker, and little did I know this concept would be a life-changer. Even though there are different variations of minimalism, the main idea is to live simply in terms of material possessions in order to experience life to the fullest. Before I was introduced to minimalism, I was constantly trying to keep up by purchasing the newest clothing and gadgets that were “in” at the moment. But no matter what I bought, there would always be new things to buy.
Through my own experiences in the past year, I’ve learned material items can get in the way of what is truly important. We spend so much time shopping or browsing the web in hopes of accumulating more things. While purchasing new things, we often don’t consider whether we truly need them. The more things we accumulate, the more clutter we have in our lives, and the more often we have to clean or organize. Less can truly be more.
So what does minimalism look like? Many individuals believe minimalism means sacrificing things that are luxuries and living with only a few items. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! Minimalism looks different for everyone due to every person’s different needs. The goal of minimalism is simplifying one’s life by only owning material possessions that bring you joy or items you need. I have embraced minimalism in the past year, and these are some things that you can do to simplify your life, too!
Cut your wardrobe
Do you wake up in the morning and spend an hour trying to find something to wear even though you have fifty shirts? This is because twenty of the shirts don’t fit the right way and twenty you have lost interest in. If you don’t like a clothing item or don’t feel confident wearing it anymore, donate it! Only keep around clothing items that you love. This makes mornings easy because you know everything in your closet is something you want to wear.
Develop a style
Try to buy clothing items that go together or can be used in more than one outfit. This allows you to easily mix and match to create new outfits out of fewer pieces of clothing. It’s so tempting to buy an expensive clothing you know will only be worn once but it’s wiser to invest in a versatile neutral color cardigan that can be worn often or a dress than can be styled in different ways. Have fun using layering to put together original outfits out of a couple staple pieces. Developing your own style also reduces the need to buy more clothes because you won’t have to constantly keep up with the newest clothing trends. Have fun with this step, and create a wardrobe that makes you feel confident!
Declutter decor
Go through every area of your room and examine your non-clothing possessions. With each possession ask yourself two questions: “Do I actually use this?” and “Does this item make me happy?” If the answer to both questions is no, throw it or donate it. Owning fewer possessions can make your room and life feel less cluttered. I find this tip especially helpful with room decorations. Since I am living in a small dorm room, having an excess of wall decor or desk trinkets makes the room seem even smaller. By only displaying a few items that you really love, you can maximize the appearance of the room.
Shop Smart
There is nothing wrong with shopping, but when you do decide to hit the mall, have a plan in mind. Know what you need before you leave and stick to the list. Helpful questions for shopping are: “Do I need it?” and “Can it be worn in more than one way?” and “Do I feel confident wearing it?: College is expensive. Minimalism doesn’t just benefit you, it also helps your bank account. The urge to shop can also decrease when you spend more time thinking about the great things you do have in your life. Focusing on being content with the things you do have is empowering.
Enjoy the benefits
After making changes, step back and look at the benefits. Feel free to drink your coffee slower in the morning now that you don’t need ten minutes to choose an outfit that you love. Go out to eat with loved ones with the money you would have usually spent on a new shirt or gadget. Get in that extra twenty minutes of studying for chemistry during the time you would normally organize or clean your cluttered room.
College can be stressful and hectic, but I have found my minimalist lifestyle helps minimize the craziness. Hopefully, you can try these tips and fall in love with the benefits too!