Ảnh: Không có ảnh 1

My Messy Minimalism Journey: More Complicated Than I Thought

The Allure of Less: Why I Chose Minimalism

Minimalism. The word itself sounds so…clean. So organized. So *not* me, honestly. But I was drawn to it. I’d been feeling overwhelmed, suffocated by stuff. You know that feeling when your closet is bursting, but you still feel like you have nothing to wear? Yeah, that was my life. Everywhere I looked, clutter. Constant visual noise. It was exhausting! Plus, I was starting to feel guilty about my consumption habits. All those impulse buys, the trendy clothes I wore once, the kitchen gadgets gathering dust in the back of the cupboard. It felt…wrong.

I started reading about minimalism. Blogs, articles, YouTube videos. The idea of living intentionally, owning only what brought me joy, and focusing on experiences instead of possessions…it was intoxicating. I imagined a serene, uncluttered space. A calm mind. More time for the things that actually mattered. Travel! Reading! Actually finishing that pottery class I signed up for last year. I pictured myself as a minimalist guru, effortlessly floating through life with only a backpack and a smile. How hard could it be, right? Ugh, famous last words.

The Great Purge: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

So, I decided to dive in headfirst. I declared a “Great Purge.” Every closet, every drawer, every corner of my apartment was fair game. I started with my clothes, figuring that would be the easiest. Famous last words, again. The sheer volume of stuff I owned was astounding. I mean, where did it all *come* from? Clothes I’d forgotten I even had. Clothes that didn’t fit anymore. Clothes I was keeping “just in case” I needed them. And the emotions! Oh, the emotions. Guilt over the money I’d wasted. Sadness over clothes that held memories. Anxiety over getting rid of something I might regret later.

It was a total rollercoaster. I ended up with three huge piles: donate, sell, and trash. The “sell” pile seemed like a good idea at the time (extra cash!), but honestly, it was a nightmare. Trying to sell used clothes online is way more time-consuming than I ever imagined. Taking photos, writing descriptions, dealing with lowball offers… I gave up after a week and donated most of it anyway. Donate was definitely the easiest and most rewarding option. Knowing my old stuff was going to someone who actually needed it made the process a little less painful. But throwing stuff away? That felt awful. Such a waste.

Minimalism Fails: Where I Stumbled (Hard)

Here’s where things got tricky. I quickly realized that minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. What works for a digital nomad living out of a suitcase isn’t going to work for me, a person with a full-time job and a serious book-buying habit. The hardest part? Books. Oh god, the books. I love reading. I *need* books. Getting rid of them felt like cutting off a part of myself. I tried. I really did. I donated a few that I knew I’d never read again, but the rest? They were staying.

Another fail: the minimalist wardrobe. The idea of owning only 30 pieces of clothing sounded so chic and effortless. But I have a tendency to spill things. Like, a lot. And I also need clothes for different occasions. Work clothes, casual clothes, fancy clothes for the occasional wedding or party. The minimalist wardrobe quickly became a source of stress rather than liberation. I was constantly worried about ruining my limited clothing options or not having anything appropriate to wear. Plus, I missed having options! I like expressing myself through what I wear, and a super-limited wardrobe felt…boring.

I also struggled with the aesthetic aspect of minimalism. Those perfectly curated minimalist homes you see on Instagram? They’re beautiful, but totally unrealistic for me. I have kids! They have toys! And crayons! And a constant need for snacks. My house is never going to look like a magazine spread, and that’s okay. I realised I was trying to force myself into a mold that just didn’t fit.

My “Almost Minimalist” Life: A Work in Progress

So, where am I now? Well, I wouldn’t exactly call myself a minimalist. I’m more of an “almost minimalist.” I still own more stuff than a true minimalist would probably approve of, but I’m much more conscious of what I bring into my home. I’m definitely buying less stuff on impulse. I’m donating regularly. And I’m trying to be more mindful of my consumption habits.

Ảnh: Không có ảnh 2

It’s been a learning process, and honestly, a little humbling. I realized that minimalism isn’t about deprivation, it’s about intention. It’s about focusing on what truly matters to me and letting go of the things that don’t. It’s about creating a space that supports my values and my goals.

And while my apartment might not look like a minimalist dream, it’s definitely less cluttered than it used to be. And that’s a win in my book. I still struggle with the books (they’re multiplying!), but I’m working on it. Who even knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll tackle the kitchen gadgets… eventually.

Oh! Funny thing is, a friend suggested I try the KonMari method after I’d already gotten rid of a bunch of stuff. Ugh, what a mess! I wish I’d started there. The whole “Does it spark joy?” thing would have been super helpful. Next time, maybe.

If you’re as curious as I was about reducing clutter and living more intentionally, you might want to dig into Marie Kondo’s books or some other organization methods before diving headfirst into the Great Purge. Just a suggestion!