My Wild Ride with Minimalism: Did It Actually Work?

Why I Even Considered Minimalism, Honestly

Okay, so here’s the thing. My life felt…cluttered. And not just my apartment, which, let’s be real, often resembled a laundry explosion at a thrift store. But my brain, too. Too much stuff, too many commitments, too many pings and buzzes. I was stressed, overwhelmed, and honestly, kind of cranky all the time. I’d see these perfectly curated minimalist Instagram accounts – you know the ones – all white walls and three carefully chosen plants, and think, “Could that be me? Could I find some inner peace by owning, like, three shirts?” It felt like a long shot. I tend to impulse buy things I don’t need. Especially books. I have, um, a lot of books. The KonMari method was calling, or at least whispering frantically from somewhere under a mountain of old concert tickets. But minimalism? Was it just a trend or a genuine path to less stress?

My First Minimalism Fail: The Great Clothing Purge

So, I decided to tackle the closet first. Armed with a garbage bag and the steely determination of someone who had watched one too many Marie Kondo videos, I started pulling things out. The plan was simple: if it didn’t spark joy, it was gone. Easy, right? Nope. I held up this one t-shirt – a faded band tee from a concert I went to in college. Did it spark joy? Not really. Did it have sentimental value? Absolutely. Into the “maybe” pile it went. Then another shirt – that one I bought on sale but never actually wore. Guilt sparked, not joy. Another shirt – oh god, this is harder than it looks. Three hours later, I had a small pile of clothes to donate (mostly things that didn’t fit anymore, let’s be honest) and a massive pile of “maybe” items that were now neatly folded and put back into the closet. I felt defeated. Minimalism wasn’t supposed to be this complicated. I mean, shouldn’t it make life easier?

The Unexpected Upside: Minimalism and My Spending Habits

Funny thing is, even though my initial attempt at decluttering failed miserably, something started to shift. Maybe it was the act of actually looking at all my belongings, really seeing what I owned, that started to change my perspective. I started questioning every purchase. Did I *really* need that new gadget? Would it actually improve my life or just end up gathering dust on a shelf next to the juicer I used twice? I started waiting 24 hours before buying anything online. You know, letting the initial impulse pass. And you know what? Half the time, I completely forgot about the thing I thought I couldn’t live without. My bank account started looking a lot healthier, and that, surprisingly, did spark joy. Who knew budgeting could be so emotionally fulfilling?

A Minor Triumph: Digital Minimalism – No, Really

Okay, clothing was a bust at first. But then I thought, “what about my phone?” Ugh, what a mess. Endless notifications, apps I hadn’t used in months, and the constant urge to check social media every five minutes. I decided to try digital minimalism. I deleted apps I didn’t need, turned off most notifications (except for important ones, like calls and texts from family), and set limits on my social media usage. I even moved my social media apps to the second screen of my phone to add a layer of friction. You know what? It actually worked. I felt less anxious, more focused, and I had so much more time. Who even knows what’s next? I started reading more, spending more time outside, and generally feeling more present in my life. This was the kind of minimalism I could get behind.

My Regret: Selling Too Soon

Okay, so I had this vintage record player… I found it at a yard sale for next to nothing. It wasn’t necessarily essential to my happiness, but I enjoyed listening to vinyl every now and then. It had a certain charm, a nostalgic vibe. I thought, “Okay, minimalism, gotta get rid of the non-essentials!” So I sold it online. Now, several months later, I REALLY miss it. Vinyl has made a big comeback, and the prices for similar players have skyrocketed. I definitely regret selling too soon. It taught me a lesson: Minimalism isn’t just about getting rid of things; it’s about keeping what you truly value. I mean, if something brings you joy (even if it’s not practical), why get rid of it?

So, Did Minimalism Work for Me? A Qualified Yes.

Minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s not about living in an empty white box and only owning a single fork. It’s about being intentional with what you own and what you let into your life. It’s about clearing the clutter, both physical and mental, to make space for what truly matters. For me, it wasn’t about becoming a hardcore minimalist, but about finding a balance. I still have a lot of books, and my closet is still probably a bit more crowded than it should be. But I’m more mindful of my spending habits, I’m less attached to material possessions, and I’m much more intentional about how I spend my time and energy. And that, for me, is a win. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into mindful consumption and sustainable living. It complements the minimalist journey quite well. Was I the only one confused by this?