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You always see those lists, don’t you? They’re helpful in putting little seeds in your brain that it’s possible to make a change.
This is a beginner minimalist list of things that you can, in fact, live without. Will the things make your life better? Maybe, but that’s not for me to decide.
1. Buying Clothes just because ….
More isn’t always better.
Buying a shirt that’s on sale in every color that will likely shrink after the first wash is and will forever be, a waste. A waste of money, of resources, and of your time. Put the fast fashion back on the hanger and run out of the store.
Here’s a novel idea: wear what you have! If you don’t love anything you have anymore, may be it’s time to explore “slow fashion”.
Thrifting secondhand clothes from consignment shops and local thrift stores is a treasure hunt that’s usually worth it the effort put in. I will say I love a good hunt… and I’ve found some goooood stuff over the years secondhand. (Even kids clothes!) People around me donate a lot of brand name, brand new items that I’ve been happy to find and wear.
If you do need | have to buy new, spending a little bit more for something that you can wash + wear unlimitedly will always be the best option. No more $5 shirts that get ruined after the first wash or bulk ordering online one of the fast fashion sites that treat their employees like shit.
Last year, I was missing a bodysuit in my staples. One that can be dressed up, layered, or every day casual. One that wouldn’t get holes in it and would look brand new after repeated wears and washes.
I finally found one from a sustainable company out of Australia called Boody. I’ve had wonderful luck with their products, including their underwear! Their products are made from bamboo- so they keep their shape and color. Over a year in and they’re just like the day I got them.
Thankfully, finding eco-friendly, slow fashion companies is quite easier than it used to be. Once I find a brand I like, I tend to be a loyal customer.
2. A Morning Coffee
*Gasp* hear me out before you freak out on me. I know… the latte art sure is pretty and I could never do it as perfectly as the barista.
I was a every-morning-coffee-stop gal until I started working from home. I cannot comprehend how much I wasted over the years: time sitting in line, money (we’ve all added more money in the app in the drive thru to get the stars), and gas (driving there, waiting, and driving to the office).
Think about how you are in the am. If you need it intravenously, invest in a programmed coffee maker. Espresso can take but a minute to do. I have this mighty little one that I use with a local espresso blend.
Save the pour over or French press for slow mornings. I LOVE my pour over maker and I use it with these filters. Grab a course blend bagged coffee option and you’ll get to experience and savor your joe.
Enjoy cold coffee? Try out one of the bottled varieties at the grocery store or make your own one weekend (all you need is a pitcher and a coffee filter).
Stay caffeinated my friends.
3. Seasonal décor
I love Homegoods as much as the next person BUT having decor for every season means a few things.
1. Your taste is likely to change after a season or two.
2. You’ll have to store it all somewhere.
To make decorating simple, I’d suggest finding items that can span multiple seasons to layer in and ones that are easy to store (like pillow covers) and pictures!
One of the simplest decor pieces I have is an oversized picture frame I got from Pottery Barn (on sale!) It holds 36 4″x4″ pictures that I change out seasonally of our family and pretty quotes from IG or Canva. Storing pictures is so easy to do and it’s nostalgic to have actual printed photos rather than them all be in the cloud.
Other decor pieces are a bit tricker and cumbersome, so I try to make it easy and have at most one box per season… except Christmas (I’m still working on that…)
Think about simplifying what you bring in and actually enjoy to look at.
4. Candles
I know… the ambiance of them is so pleasant.
However, those suckers are expensive and can accumulate quickly. An easy alternative would be an essential oil diffuser with a scent you find nice. They can be aesthetically pleasing as well!
I know… essential oils are a hot (and controversial) topic— I’ll end with this you can’t go wrong with diffusing lemon in the kitchen. *Bonus: you can clean with them too! Look online for instructions.
5. Journals/Notebooks/Pads of Paper
Unless you are a regular journaler, *repeat after this….* you have enough already.
This would be a great opportunity to learn about yourself and your habits.
Yes, the ones at TJMaxx are so cute — but just because you buy one doesn’t mean you’ll use it.
How many times have you bought a paper year calendar only to find it in July untouched? If you’re looking to journal but don’t like writing on paper, use an app like “Diary” (which can be password protected) or utilize the Notes app on your phone.
6. Plastic baggies and Paper Products
Washing and reusing kitchen essentials is easier, cheaper, and more earth friendly than the disposable alternatives.
Invest in the reusable kind of storage bags! My favorite is the Stasher brand as they hold up to daily (and kid) use. We use them daily and pop them in the dishwasher.
Next, find dishes that you LOVE. That are sturdy (if you have kids). That reflect your house and life.
In my house, we use Target plates (I used to save them for special occasions but I enjoy them too much for them to live in a cabinet), Crate and Barrel plain white bowls, and the kids use these salad-plate sized Stainless Steel plates which I found on Amazon that have been indestructible (so far!).
Think of the items that you replace throwaway items with as an investment. Replacing something disposable for something reusable will cost more upfront but will quickly make up for it AND they’re better for the environment and your health.
7. Free Swag
Have shirts that are collecting dust from that random event? Branded pens, loose paper/post its, and business cards from trade shows? Little toothpaste samples, extra toothbrushes, snacks you’ll never eat, etc?
I’m sure someone could use them. Why not donate them?
There are little free pantries sprinkled throughout communities where you’re able to donate said items (including food) and others take what they need. To find one near you, check out this website for a map.
That’s better than all those things staying in your house for longer than needed taking up prime real estate.
8. Perfectionism
Pinterest perfect pantries are not the end all, be all.
I will guarantee you this… that level of organization is time consuming, filtered, and not like that all the time. Having everything in its place is amazing (I agree); however, it’s going to take a lot of your time maintaining it.
Ask yourself some questions to get a baseline of how you’d like your day to go:
When you come from the grocery, how many minutes would you like to take putting your items in their spots? Would you want to spend your time on that or something else? Do you need to take an item out of their container and put in another container OR are you doing it because an influencer does?
Let go of the perfect you think you need, embrace the life you’re living, and capture the dream of freedom. Freedom from things, from expectations of yourself and others, from the status quo.
9. Comparison
Don’t let anyone tell you that this journey isn’t going to be worth it. Again, we all have different lives. Different ideas, houses, families, etc.
You don’t have to live with nothing if you don’t want to.
You don’t have to have a capsule closet unless you want to.
You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Although, stepping out of your comfort zone (just a bit) will be a benefit in the long run!
My level of “minimalism” isn’t going to look the same as others.
Neither is yours! You do what feels good and right, keep your head up and going forward, and silence the rest.
Life doesn’t have to be like others for it to be right for you.
10. Scrolling websites for fun
We still have to buy things.
I’ve read that book where a person doesn’t buy anything for a year – it’s not for me. It may be for you! Explore that idea.
However, scrolling “gift guides”, flipping through Amazon’s trending items, Pinterest’s things you may like, and Target’s new releases is setting yourself up for disaster.
IF you see something you’d, add it to your cart for a while. Watch and revisit it. See if you still want it or if it’s something that would be “nice to have”.
Maybe you’ll find that you don’t actually need it after all.
Obviously, this is just a starter list. One that you can brainstorm off of and make individual for you. What else would be on your list that you can live without? Until next time, happy minimalizing.
Simply Tamed 