Minimalism for Beginners: 10 Dos and Don’ts
First of all, I just want to say that I am psyched for you and your minimalism journey! I hope it’s as fulfilling and rewarding as you’ve hoped and dreamed. And whether you’re a long-time sustainability and minimalism junky or a novice just starting out, I think you’ll find some helpful nuggets of advice within this post.
For full disclosure, my view of minimalism is definitely not as strict or cut-and-dry as you’ll find elsewhere. So if you’re looking for someone to be tough on you and inspire you to live with 300 items or less, or some other awesome-but-difficult minimalism practice, you won’t find that here.
What you will find is some simple advice for how to get started with minimalism, particularly how to think about and practice minimalism in a way that is doable for years to come. There is so much to learn as you begin, but the reality is that pretty much anything in the minimalism and sustainability realm requires ongoing dedication, discipline and learning.
I hope this post will help you to shape how you think of minimalism - and yourself - as you pursue minimalism in a way that is both healthy and sustainable for you in the long-term.
So without further ado, here are my 10 dos and don’ts for beginner minimalists!
DON’T get rid of things just for the sake of getting rid of things
One thing that often pops into peoples’ minds when they think of minimalism is the idea of getting rid of stuff. Yes, that is typically a necessary step when starting the minimalism journey because many of us need to learn to break our attachment to items that no longer serve us, but it’s important to be intentional about what you send out of your home, just as it is important to be intentional about what you bring into your home.
There will of course be some no-brainer items to declutter, like mismatched socks or odds and ends that you don’t even know where they came from, but some things may need a little more care and thought. When getting rid of something ask yourself questions like this:
Will I need to buy a similar item in the future because I won’t have this one?
Will ridding my life of this object serve me better than if I were to keep it?
Remember, minimalism is about more than just getting rid of stuff. It’s about creating a life that is more simple and enjoyable for you. There is no magic number of items that will make life more enjoyable for you, so get rid of what doesn’t serve you, and keep what does.
DO spend money on things that add real value for you
Minimalism doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to new things forever. Just be intentional about what you do purchase, and be ok with splurging a little if that’s your style since you’ll probably keep any new items around for a long time, so spending a little extra for the perfect item might be worth it for you. As mentioned above, minimalism is about more than stuff; it’s about creating a life that is more simple and enjoyable for you.
DON’T buy things that have no real purpose or added value for you
One of the main goals of minimalism is to cut back on consumption and to be intentional about what you own, purchase and spend your resources on. Before making a new purchase, ask yourself questions like this:
Will this item add real value to my life or perform a function that my current possessions can’t already offer?
Will I need this item long-term, or can I borrow or rent it from somewhere else for a short time?
Will I still want this item if I have to wait until tomorrow to buy it? (This question has saved me a lot of money and helped me avoid a lot of impulse buys!)
These questions will help you determine if the item has real value for you.
DO make minimalism about more than possessions
Minimalism can apply to a plethora of things: digital minimalism, home decor, personal style, personal schedule, and so much more! Minimalism can totally become about more than just household possessions. De-cluttering and simplifying can infiltrate and benefit your life on many levels if you allow it to.
DON’T focus on lost money
Oof. It can be painful to give away items that you’ve spent a fortune on. Just remember how much fuller your life will feel when it’s filled with all the right things, and not bogged down by all the wrong things.
Give yourself grace for any wasted money, time or other resources that you’ve spent to accumulate possessions. I know it can be painful to throw away items that you once convinced yourself you needed, but remember: you haven’t always had the same goals as you do now, and that’s OK. I often have to remind myself that keeping an item around just to make myself feel bad is a lose-lose: I lost money when I bought it and now I’m losing happiness every time I see it.
It generally helps if, as I declutter, I “rehome” my items either to someone else who will love and use them or to someone in need. I often give items to friends and family or drop off lightly used clothes at a consignment store, second-hand shop or women’s shelter.
DO set your own standards
For every minimalist who exists, there is a new way of minimalisming (that’s totally a word. Don’t Google it) and that’s awesome! Your minimalism doesn’t (dare I say shouldn’t?!) look like everyone else’s, even though you may find a lot of inspiration and helpful tips from other people. Some people opt for all-white homes while others have vibrant color everywhere you look. There is no right way to do it.
So blaze your own minimalism trail, set your own goals and time-frames and decide for yourself what you want to achieve from minimalism. A cleaner home? A clear head? A more simple life? An overall more sustainable lifestyle? Super - pursue that!
DON’T look for your identity in minimalism
As mentioned above, there are many cultures in which “stuff” has become an identity marker. And, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably started to deconstruct this narrative and found it kind of unfulfilling. But of course, just because one thing sucks it doesn’t mean the opposite is automatically the answer.
Defining yourself by “less stuff” can be just as unfulfilling! So, as I’ve already said a million times because I really want you to understand the spirit of minimalism: own things that add value to your life! Embrace minimalism in whichever way adds the most value for you! Don’t define your identity based on your number of things. You are valuable and awesome regardless of your relationship with things.
DO allow yourself to be sentimental
I’m just gonna say it: despite what other people may think, I think it’s ok to keep that worn-out book you’ve never read just because it’s from your bestie. It’s ok to hang on to that ugly sweater that your grandmother knit for you. If an item helps you hold on to an important memory, person or feeling, then by all means embrace it!
But, as I’ve been saying, be mindful about which items are really adding value for you. You probably don't need 5 sweaters and 3 pairs of slippers and the beanie and the potholder your grandma made (I mean maybe you do - I’m not here to judge...LOL). So set your standards, but give yourself plenty of room to be human.
DON’T beat yourself up
Minimalism is hard. Many of my readers live in cultures where “stuff” has become much of how we define ourselves. Our possessions are a status symbol. If you are pursuing minimalism, you may feel like you’re striking out in a direction that many of your friends and family don’t really understand even if they’re supportive.
Adding to this discomfort is the fact that it can be difficult to pursue less in a culture that keeps telling us to accumulate more, and more and more… especially if you feel alone. So be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Keep your eyes fixed on your goal and don’t expect to be perfect at this right away.
DO be patient with yourself
Friend, minimalism is hard (did I mention that yet?!). Be patient with yourself. It takes time to break habits and create new ones and to be content with a different lifestyle or practise when you’ve been doing something else your whole life.
You are going to mess up sometimes. This can be frustrating, exhausting, and at times even embarrassing. Don’t let that keep you from pursuing your long-term goals and the life you want.
Your worth comes from within, not from how much stuff you have.
So I’ll say it one more time for the people in the back: minimalism is all about making your life more fulfilling. That’s it! It’s that simple!
Embracing a minimalistic mindset is a journey with a learning curve… but you’ve got this, friend. I am cheering you on!
And with that in mind, get out there and start minimalisming (sorry, had to).
You got this!