My Messy Journey to Minimalism: Finding Joy in Less (Sort Of)

The Allure of Less: Why I Even Tried Minimalism

Okay, so, minimalism. It’s been everywhere, right? All these perfectly curated Instagram feeds, people living in tiny houses, and gurus preaching the gospel of owning only what sparks joy. Honestly, I was skeptical. My apartment, well, it’s more of a curated collection of things I *think* might spark joy someday. Books I’ll eventually read, clothes I *might* fit into again, gadgets I swore I’d master during the pandemic. You get the picture.

But then, I hit a wall. I was spending more time cleaning and organizing than actually, you know, living. I’d spend an hour looking for a specific t-shirt only to realize I had three others exactly like it. I felt suffocated by stuff. And, admittedly, a little envious of those minimalist homes. There was something so calming about the idea of owning less, of having a space that breathed. So, I decided to give it a shot. What could possibly go wrong? (Famous last words, right?) I started watching documentaries, reading blogs, and generally immersing myself in the minimalist lifestyle. I even downloaded a KonMari checklist! I was ready to be a changed woman. Or, at least, a woman with fewer throw pillows.

The Great Decluttering: Tears, Tantrums, and Trash Bags

The first step was, naturally, decluttering. I started with my closet, which, let’s be honest, was basically a black hole of forgotten fashion choices. I pulled everything out. Every. Single. Thing. It was… overwhelming. Mountains of clothes I hadn’t worn in years stared back at me. There was that dress I bought for a wedding five years ago that I swore I’d wear again (never did). The jeans that were too small but I was convinced I’d shrink into (still too small). It was brutal. The KonMari method suggested thanking each item for its service before letting it go. I tried. I really did. But thanking a pair of ripped jeans for reminding me of my questionable fashion sense felt a bit…insincere.

I ended up with three giant trash bags filled with clothes, shoes, and accessories. It felt good, liberating even. For about five minutes. Then the regret set in. What if I *did* need that sequined top someday? What if skinny jeans came back into style? Ugh, what a mess! I definitely had moments of weakness, pulling things back out of the bags. But, I persevered. I donated most of it, sold a few things online (which was surprisingly time-consuming), and tossed the rest. My closet finally had breathing room. For a week.

Minimalism in Practice: It’s Harder Than It Looks

Okay, so, decluttering was phase one. Phase two was… living the minimalist life. And that’s where things got tricky. Because minimalism isn’t just about owning less stuff. It’s about being intentional about what you bring into your life. And, well, I’m not always the most intentional person. I tend to impulse buy things. Shiny things. Things that promise to make my life easier, better, more organized. You know, the usual. I tried to stick to the “one in, one out” rule, but that proved difficult. Especially when “one in” was a new coffee maker (because mine broke, okay?) and “one out” was… nothing I wanted to part with.

And then there’s the social aspect. My friends love to give gifts. And I love getting gifts! But suddenly, every birthday and holiday became a minefield of potential clutter. I had to subtly hint that experiences were preferred over things. It’s an ongoing battle, honestly. My biggest failure? Black Friday last year. I told myself I just needed a new phone charger. I walked out with a new phone, a smart watch (on sale!), and a voice-activated assistant. So much for minimalism.

My “Aha!” Moment (and a Confession)

Funny thing is, despite all my stumbles and struggles, I did learn something valuable. Minimalism isn’t about deprivation. It’s about being mindful of what you own and why. It’s about surrounding yourself with things that truly add value to your life, not just things that fill up space. I still have more stuff than a “true” minimalist would probably approve of. My bookshelves are still overflowing, my closet isn’t perfectly curated, and I still have a weakness for gadgets. But I’m more conscious of my consumption habits. I think twice before buying something. I try to choose quality over quantity. I declutter more regularly (although, not always with the KonMari method, let’s be real).

Here’s my confession: I even started using a budgeting app to track my spending and see where my money was actually going. Turns out, a lot of it was going towards, well, stuff I didn’t really need. I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading about different budgeting strategies. I tried YNAB (You Need a Budget) for a while, but it felt too restrictive for me. I finally landed on Mint. It’s not perfect, but it gives me a good overview of my finances. Who even knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll finally get that tiny house. (Just kidding… mostly.)

Is Minimalism Right for You? Maybe. Maybe Not.

So, am I a minimalist? Not really. Am I living a more intentional life? Absolutely. And that’s what matters. Minimalism isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a journey, not a destination. It’s about finding what works for you and incorporating those principles into your own life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stuff, I encourage you to give it a try. Start small. Declutter one drawer, one shelf, one corner of your room. See how it feels. Maybe you’ll love it. Maybe you’ll hate it. But you’ll learn something about yourself along the way. And hey, if you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into the concept of essentialism, which takes a slightly different approach. Good luck! (And maybe hide your credit card before Black Friday).