My Messy Attempt at Minimalism: It’s Harder Than It Looks

Okay, so, I’ve been trying to get into this whole minimalism thing. You know, like those influencers with their perfectly curated lives and only, like, ten possessions? I thought, “Hey, I can do that!” Turns out…not so much. It’s way more complicated than just throwing stuff away. And honestly? It brought up a lot of feelings I wasn’t expecting.

The Great Purge: Where Do You Even Start?

My first mistake was probably thinking I could tackle my entire apartment in one weekend. Ugh, what a mess! I started with my closet, figuring that was the easiest win. I had clothes I hadn’t worn in, like, five years. Easy toss, right? Wrong. There was that one dress I wore to my cousin’s wedding (it still has a stain from the champagne toast, if I’m being honest). And that t-shirt from that concert I went to…alone. So many memories attached to things I barely even use anymore. It felt almost sacrilegious to just chuck them in a donation bin.

I did manage to get rid of some stuff, though. Mostly things with holes or stains, or things that just didn’t fit anymore (lies, they just didn’t fit *comfortably* anymore). But even that felt like a minor victory in a major battle. The piles of “maybe” items kept growing and growing. And then the sun set. My energy flagged. And I ordered pizza. Minimalism fail, right there.

The Sentimental Trap: Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?

The real problem, I discovered, isn’t the *stuff* itself. It’s the stories attached to it. It’s the feeling that if I get rid of this object, I’m also getting rid of the memory associated with it. I know, rationally, that’s not true. But emotionally? It feels very, very true.

For example, I had this old stuffed animal from when I was a kid. It’s literally falling apart. It’s missing an eye, the fur is matted, and it smells faintly of mothballs. Logically, it should be in the trash. But it was my best friend when I was little! We went on so many imaginary adventures together. How could I just toss it away like it was nothing? I even tried that Marie Kondo thing, holding it and thanking it for its service. Didn’t work. I still felt guilty. So, Mr. Snuggles (yes, that’s his name) is still sitting on my shelf. Judging me, probably.

The Unexpected Benefits (and the Occasional Breakdown)

Okay, so the purge wasn’t exactly a roaring success. But, funny thing is, even the *attempt* at minimalism had some unexpected benefits. I started being more mindful about what I was buying. I thought twice (or three times) before clicking “add to cart” on Amazon. Did I *really* need another scented candle? Probably not.

And I definitely felt a sense of…lighter-ness. Not just physical lightness, but mental lightness too. Less clutter, less stress, maybe? I started appreciating the things I *did* keep more. My favorite coffee mug. My cozy blanket. My ridiculously oversized armchair. They stood out more, like little beacons of joy in my otherwise chaotic apartment.

Of course, there were also moments of complete frustration. Like the time I accidentally donated my favorite sweater. Ugh! I almost cried. I mean, it was *the* perfect sweater. Soft, cozy, and it went with everything. I ransacked the donation center, but it was gone. Gone forever. A moment of minimalist clarity, followed by crushing sweater-related regret.

The Sustainable Angle: Beyond Just Decluttering

One thing that really struck me during this whole process was the environmental impact of all the stuff we accumulate. All the manufacturing, the shipping, the packaging…it’s kind of terrifying when you really think about it. So, I started looking into more sustainable ways of living.

Instead of just throwing things away, I tried to donate them, or sell them online. I even learned how to sew, so I could repair some of my clothes instead of buying new ones. It’s a small step, I know. But it felt like a step in the right direction. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into the fast fashion industry; it can be quite eye-opening.

Was It Worth It? My (Unresolved) Minimalist Conclusion

So, am I a minimalist now? Absolutely not. My apartment is still cluttered. I still have way too many clothes. And Mr. Snuggles is still judging me from the shelf. But I’m more aware of my consumption habits. I’m more mindful of the things I bring into my life. And I’m trying to be okay with letting go of the things I don’t need anymore, even if it’s hard.

Maybe minimalism isn’t about having a perfectly curated life with only ten possessions. Maybe it’s about finding a balance. About being intentional. About appreciating the things you have, and letting go of the things that are holding you back. Or maybe I’m just trying to justify my inability to throw anything away. Who even knows what’s next? All I know is I’m going to keep trying. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll eventually get rid of that champagne stain.