Whatever the definition of minimalism that you give yourself, there is one thing that all people share in common: the desire to live a life that is less cluttered. Quite frequently, we choose to encircle ourselves with mountains and mountains of material possessions, which eventually come to dominate both our homes and our minds. If you are currently on a journey to find a lifestyle that is more minimalist, then it is likely that you have already done everything that you believe you should to get yourself there.
You probably cleaned up the clutter in your homes, purchased containers with a matching theme, and made multiple visits to Goodwill.
Congratulations, if you have managed to read this far!
If you have reached this point or want to get there, you need to stop doing this one thing. If you haven’t done so already, this step can be intimidating on its own.
Buying more things for you home.
Retail therapy is a real thing, but when you engage in it, you run the risk of making your life even more cluttered than it was before…which will result in the necessity for you to resume attending therapy… Shopping as therapy.
What a never-ending circle! We purge stuff, we feel better. We buy more things, we feel better.
The ability to strike a balance between these two opposing forces is not easy, but it is not as difficult as you may believe. Your desire to want to be more minimalist needs to be stronger than the impulse to purchase more things in order for you to succeed. The advantages of leading a life that is less complicated, less cluttered, and more minimalistic are simply too numerous to disregard.
Things a Minimalist would never Buy
As a minimalist, it isn’t always easy to figure out what kinds of things you should stop buying for home.
This is due to the fact that the concept of minimalism is interpreted differently by each individual.
Your current circumstances are ultimately the most important factor to consider when deciding whether or not you need to purchase something.
However, there are a few questions that you can ask yourself in order to gain a better understanding of whether or not you really do need to purchase something new, such as the following:
Do I really need it?
Or do I just want it? There is nothing inherently wrong with desiring something. However, you have made the decision not to purchase things that you do not need because we all know that even if we want something right now, there is a good chance that we will not want it in the future.
Is it something that I already have?
You would be surprised by the number of times that you have purchased an item that had previously been stored in the back of either your closet or your kitchen cabinet. All of this was due to the fact that they were too disorganized to make out what they already possessed.
Will it add value to my home?
This is a simple question that you are supposed to ask yourself before making a purchase to ensure that the item will be utilized and appreciated. If it will not improve the value of your home, then you should not buy it.
Will I still want it in the years to come?
If it turns out that this is something that you only need to use for a few days and then never again, then you won’t be purchasing it. For example, if you need a screwdriver to fix something but don’t have one, you won’t go out and purchase one just for those few days because you already have plenty of other tools. Instead, you will borrow it from an acquaintance and then give it back to them when you are finished. In this manner, you will avoid bringing more things into your home that you are unlikely to use on a regular basis.
These simple questions teach you to look at everything with an analytical perspective, making them an excellent jumping-off point.
That being the situation, whenever you give thought to getting something new for the home or your loved ones, you should first stop and give some consideration to the responses to the questions stated above.
But even after you’ve answered these questions, you might still be curious about what kinds of things you won’t need to buy if you start leading a minimalist lifestyle. There are a few things that, despite the fact that each home is unique, the majority of minimalists choose not to have in their homes. To help you simplify your life and reduce the amount of clutter in it, you should think about cutting out these activities and products that aren’t necessary.
Also Read: Top Decluttering Tips to Help You Organize Your House and Lot
Here are the 10 Things you Should Stop Buying to start a minimalistic life
1. Entertainment items
There are a lot of methods to pass the time that don’t involve a lot of clutter, so there’s no real need to bring in any new entertainment items into your home.
Since it is possible to watch movies and television episodes through streaming services and to borrow books from the library, there is no reason to devote valuable space and time to the ownership and storage of items of this nature.
As a minimalist, you might consider not to purchasing the following forms of entertainment:
- DVDs and devices that play DVDs
- Cable TV or satellite
- Electronic entertainment and video games
- Toys for pets
- Art and craft materials
- Novelty gifts
2. Additional clothing and accessories
One effective strategy for preventing your closet from being overcrowded is to develop a “capsule wardrobe.”
Because of this, you are going to have to limit the number of additional items of clothing, shoes, and accessories that you buy for your family and for yourself.
After you have established a foundational wardrobe, you should make every effort to refrain from purchasing an additional set of clothes and other unnecessary items, such as:
- Jewelry Watches
- Sunglasses
- Wallets and handbags/purses
- Belts
- Shoes
Also Read: Best ways to organize clothes in closet
3. Kitchen tools for single use only
There are some really neat kitchen tools on the market today, but the majority of them are bulky and unnecessary. You should look for household appliances that have multiple uses so that you can free up a lot of space in your cooking area. One high-quality blender can perform the functions of a compact bullet blender, a real blender, and a chopper, saving you the expense of purchasing additional appliances. A waffle maker can also be used to create sandwiches by toasting the bread. There is no requirement for a sandwich machine. You can get your bread made in a toaster oven! There is no requirement for a griddle. Think about cutting down on the number of kitchen tools you have, and give something a second thought before purchasing it if it could be handled by something you already own.
Also Read: 10 essential appliances and tools you should have in your kitchen
4. Decorations for Holidays
You don’t have to give up buying decorations for the holidays completely because they help you get into the spirit of the season, bring you cheer, and make you feel more prepared for the celebrations. During the holiday season, people have a propensity to spend more money than usual, and with each purchase that seems impossible to refuse, you end up with more clutter at home. Gather all of the holiday decorations in one place, and then go item by item through the pile. This will help you declutter the space. Throw away any items that are duplicates, and only keep what you desire. When you do acquire new things, make sure they are of high quality and durable enough to last for many years. You won’t need to purchase new things on an annual basis anymore.
Also Read: DIY Affordable Christmas Décor for Your Home
5. Novelty Items
It seems that you are able to purchase anything, from serving platters to door mats, in a seasonal design in today’s market. You do require a few serving platters; however, do you truly need a set that is fashioned like sandals and flip-flops for the summer? When you buy seasonal or holiday-themed variations of common household items like shower curtains, soap dispensers, throw blankets, serving utensils, and drinking glasses, you reduce the versatility of those items and make it more difficult to use them throughout the year. They are a waste of precious storage space because they are only used a few times a year, but they are kept all year long. And for the few outlandish items that you simply cannot part with, put these decluttering storage techniques to use so that they are hidden from view but still easily accessible.
6. Wall Decor
Walls aren’t typically thought of as a potential source of clutter, but if you cover them with signs, artwork, and photographs, your rooms will feel cramped rather than open and airy. Be careful about what you choose to put on exhibit and give it careful consideration before purchasing yet another affirmation sign that exhorts you to “live your life, laugh, and love to the fullest.”
Also Read: Affordable House and Lot: Best wall décor ideas for your home
7. Toys and accessories for children
When you have children, you’ll find that there are a few things around the house that want replacing.
On the other hand, this does not imply that you should go crazy when it comes to buying items for your children.
It is acceptable for your children to have toys to play with and books to read; nevertheless, it is important that you limit the amount of these items that they have access to.
Consider getting your children items with an open-ended play that they may enjoy for a longer length of time as an alternative to buying them the newest and most popular games and toys.
Toys with open-ended play are those that can be utilized in a variety of ways by the player. They are frequently played with by children on their own, without the supervision of an adult.
The following are some examples of open-ended playthings:
- Whiteboard
- Lego tiles
- Magnetic tiles
- Cars
- Whiteboard
8. Several Sheet Sets
It might be more practical for you to sleep on cotton sheets in the summer and flannel sheets in the winter, but that will depend on where you reside. In addition to that, you should think twice before purchasing duplicate sets of sheets because doing so can rapidly result in cluttered closets. It is possible for someone who is committed to living a minimalist lifestyle to get by with just one pair of sheets. If you wash your sheets as soon as you finish making your bed in the morning, they will be clean and ready to be put back on the bed by the evening.
9. Additional Containers, Bags, and Purses
When it is not for a specific reason, we frequently go crazy buying items to put other things in. We often buy containers on impulse, and when we get them home, we find that they do not work in the environment we were planning on using them in. Buying containers in the hope that they will fit under our sinks and in our pantry is a futile endeavor if we do not first devise a plan for how we will put those containers to use. Additionally, we are collecting handbags, backpacks, bags, grocery bags, canvas totes, additional coolers, travel bags, makeup bags, and other similar items. You should make an effort to limit yourself to just the essential baggage that you will actually utilize. If you come upon a new beauty bag or a beach bag that could change your life forever, get rid of the old one to make way for the new one. Do not hoard.
10. Additional cleaning supplies
Maintaining a clean home is essential, but this does not imply that you have to buy every product and appliance designed specifically for house cleaning that is available on the market. In point of fact, there is only a little selection of cleaning equipment that you have to have in order to maintain a clean and germ-free home. When you have an all-purpose cleaner, cleaning cloth, scrub brush, vacuum, and mop, you can get rid of the majority of the other cleaning tools you have lying around your house.
You won’t need any of these household cleaning products when you go shopping again:
- Glass and a cleaner for windows
- Softener for clothes and sheets for the dryer
- Expensive tools and appliances for cleaning
- Products for cleaning that are designed to be thrown away after use, such as Swiffer mops and dusters
- Rinse assistance for the dishwasher
Also Read: Cleaning Hacks Using Natural Ingredients
In a nutshell, a lot of discipline, patience, and self-awareness are required if you want to become a minimalist. We are no longer only trying to declutter our houses; rather, we are attempting to declutter our lives, and as a result, we are becoming more content with what we already have. Finding happiness can be challenging, particularly in this day and age when there is such a strong emphasis on materialism. But it is not impossible! Keep in mind that you have complete control over the things that enter your home, including but not limited to what you purchase, how you spend your money, and the possessions that you bring into your home.
Written by Alfred Alaba
