My Messy Minimalism Experiment: Could I Actually Do It?

The Allure (and Terror) of Less Stuff

Okay, so minimalism. I always thought it was one of those trends, you know? Like avocado toast or tiny houses – cool in theory, but totally impractical for, well, *me*. My apartment has always been… lived in. Let’s just say that. Pictures on the walls, books stacked everywhere, a closet overflowing with clothes I swear I’ll wear again someday (spoiler alert: I won’t). The idea of getting rid of most of it? Honestly terrifying. But then I started feeling overwhelmed. Just *looking* around my place was exhausting. It wasn’t even about the cleaning – though that was definitely part of it. It was more like… mental clutter. Was anyone else experiencing this?

I think it all started after watching some documentary on Netflix about a family who sold everything and traveled the world. Now, I’m not about to sell everything I own (I mean, where would I put my collection of vintage concert t-shirts?), but something about their freedom resonated with me. Plus, the more I read about it, the more I noticed that everyone was talking about Marie Kondo. I even watched some of her shows. All that folding seemed like a lot of work, but I guess I could see the appeal. Maybe I didn’t need *everything* I owned to be happy. Maybe, just maybe, less really *was* more. This was such a big leap for me!

My First (Failed) Decluttering Attempt

So, armed with newfound inspiration (and a whole lot of skepticism), I decided to tackle my closet. Ugh, what a mess! I figured clothes were the easiest place to start. I’d heard about the “have you worn it in the last year?” rule, and that seemed reasonable enough. Famous last words. I started pulling things out, making a mental note of how easy this was going to be.

Then I picked up this old band t-shirt from a concert I went to in college. It’s faded, kinda stretched out, and definitely has a few holes, but the memories attached to that shirt were overwhelming. Who am I kidding? I remember everything, all the people I was with, the music, the entire vibe. I couldn’t possibly get rid of it! And it was the same with almost everything. I ended up putting most of it back. My “decluttering” lasted maybe an hour, and all I accomplished was making an even bigger mess. Was I the only one struggling with this?

I even downloaded one of those apps that’s supposed to help you keep track of what you own. You take photos of everything and categorize it. It was a total disaster. I spent like three hours taking photos of my shoes, only to give up halfway through. I think I even accidentally deleted a bunch of pictures of my dog in the process. Technology, eh? You might want to check out some organizational techniques before you start down the decluttering path.

Finding My (Slightly More) Minimalist Groove

Alright, so the all-or-nothing approach clearly wasn’t working for me. I needed to find a way to declutter without feeling like I was throwing away pieces of my soul. So, I shifted my focus. Instead of focusing on what I needed to *get rid of*, I started thinking about what I actually *used* and *loved*. A different perspective can change everything.

For example, I have, no kidding, a shelf full of coffee mugs. I even bought a mug warmer to use at my desk. I’d collected them over the years – souvenirs from trips, gifts from friends, quirky finds at thrift stores. But honestly, I only ever used, like, three of them. So, I carefully chose my favorites and donated the rest. It felt… good. Maybe I was becoming one of those minimalist people I’d laughed at before!

Another small victory: books. I love reading, but I had stacks of books I knew I’d never read again. I donated them to the local library. Someone else would get to enjoy them, and they wouldn’t just be collecting dust on my shelves.

Baby Steps and Embracing Imperfection

The key, I realized, was to take it slow. One drawer at a time, one shelf at a time. And to be okay with not being perfect. I still have a closet full of clothes, and my apartment is still a little cluttered. But it’s *less* cluttered. It’s more manageable. And most importantly, it feels more… peaceful.

I also decided to focus on preventing future clutter. I unsubscribed from a bunch of email lists, stopped buying things I didn’t need (impulse purchases are my weakness!), and started being more mindful of what I was bringing into my space. Honestly, I still slip up sometimes. But I’m getting better.

Funny thing is, the biggest benefit hasn’t been a perfectly organized apartment (because let’s be real, that’s never going to happen). It’s been the mental clarity. Less stuff equals less stress. Who knew? If you’re curious about decluttering, maybe start by looking at some tips for creating a better routine.

Was It Worth It? My (Honest) Verdict

So, would I call myself a minimalist? Nope. Not even close. But have I incorporated some minimalist principles into my life? Absolutely. And it’s made a difference.

It’s not about deprivation. It’s about being intentional with what you own and creating a space that supports your well-being. It’s about recognizing that happiness doesn’t come from owning more things. It comes from experiences, relationships, and finding joy in the simple things. I mean, seriously.

And honestly, I still have that concert t-shirt with the holes. And you know what? I’m perfectly okay with that.