My Messy, Honest Attempt at Minimalism

Why I Needed Minimalism (Like, Yesterday)

Okay, so picture this: my apartment. Honestly, it looked less like a living space and more like a storage unit exploded. Piles of clothes I swear I’d wear “someday,” books I probably wouldn’t reread, and gadgets… oh, the gadgets! I’m a sucker for a good deal, which is a terrible combination with online shopping. I mean, who *doesn’t* love a bargain? But then you’re stuck with twenty things you don’t need. It was overwhelming. Just… overwhelming. I felt suffocated, not just by the stuff, but by the *weight* of it all.

I started researching minimalism almost by accident. Stumbled across a blog post about someone who downsized to a tiny home and found happiness. A tiny home! Me? Happiness? It seemed impossible. But the idea stuck with me. Could less really be more? I was skeptical. I’m a naturally anxious person. Getting rid of things feels like, I don’t know, cutting off a lifeline? What if I *needed* that random kitchen gadget someday? What if that shirt *did* come back in style? These were the thoughts that kept me up at night. But the clutter was also keeping me up. Vicious cycle, right?

Seriously, though, the breaking point was when I couldn’t find my keys *again*. I was late for a meeting (surprise, surprise), digging through piles of… stuff… and just snapped. Ugh, what a mess! It was time for a change, even if I wasn’t entirely sure where to start.

The Great Decluttering Begins (and Stalls, and Restarts…)

So, I did what any reasonable person would do: I watched a bunch of Marie Kondo videos. The folding! The thanking the items! It all seemed a bit… much. But the basic idea – only keep things that “spark joy” – resonated. Easier said than done, of course. Turns out, a lot of my possessions sparked… something. Guilt? Nostalgia? The faint hope that I *might* use them eventually?

I started small. My closet. That was the logical place, right? Clothes are easy. Wrong! I had clothes from high school. High school! That’s, like, twenty years ago. I told myself I was keeping them for “sentimental reasons.” But honestly, they were just taking up space. The KonMari method stalled pretty quickly here, I have to admit.

I made a terrible mistake. I decided to sell a perfectly good camera lens for, like, next to nothing at a garage sale. I mean, I *needed* to declutter, right? And I hadn’t used it in ages. Flash forward six months: I needed a camera lens for a project, and the new one cost ten times what I sold the old one for. Ouch. Lesson learned: think before you purge!

I ended up using an app that was recommended by a friend that supposedly helps you value stuff and sell them. It’s called Poshmark but for general stuff, not just clothing. It helped a bit, and I even managed to make some money. But honestly, the best thing that happened was that I actually put some stuff up for free, that I couldn’t be bothered to sell. It gave me a good feeling!

The Mental Shift: It’s Not Just About the Stuff

The funny thing is, decluttering the physical stuff eventually led to decluttering other areas of my life. I started saying no to things I didn’t really want to do. I unsubscribed from endless email lists. I even started limiting my social media time (a work in progress, let’s be real).

Minimalism, I discovered, wasn’t just about getting rid of things. It was about being more intentional with my time, my energy, and my relationships. It’s kind of like, focusing on what truly matters, you know?

I mean, I’m still a work in progress. My apartment is definitely tidier, but it’s not exactly a minimalist haven. And I still occasionally buy things I probably don’t need. But I’m more aware of my spending habits and my consumption. And that, I think, is progress.

Finding Joy in the Journey (and Maybe a Few Less Gadgets)

I’m not sure I’ll ever be a true minimalist. Maybe I’m just too attached to my stuff. But I’ve definitely learned a lot from the experience. I’ve learned that less can be more, that experiences are more valuable than possessions, and that it’s okay to let go of things.

Honestly, I think I’m happier now. My apartment feels less cluttered, my mind feels less cluttered, and I have more time and energy for the things that really matter. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Was it worth it? Definitely.

Maybe you’re thinking about minimalism too. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by your stuff. If so, I encourage you to give it a try. Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember that it’s a journey, not a destination. And hey, if you mess up and sell a valuable camera lens for next to nothing, don’t worry, you’re not alone! You can even consider a different approach to minimalism if you’re not a fan of the KonMari method. It’s all about figuring out what works best for you!

Who even knows what’s next? One day, I hope to get to a point where I’m truly happy and content with what I have. But until then, I’ll keep decluttering, keep learning, and keep striving for a simpler, more meaningful life.