So, like most people, I’ve spent a lot more time at home in the last 8 months than I usually do. I bet I’m not the only one that’s looked around my house and thought, I’m really tired of all this dark furniture and I could really use a new comforter and why on earth did I ever get rid of my beloved Papasan chair from my teenage years?? And wouldn’t it be really nice if I could just win even a smaller Powerball prize so that I could get rid of the horrible 1970’s goldenrod yellow terrible bathroom tile?
Current Environment
It’s 2020…and let’s be honest, life’s been a little tough since about 1999 for me, not just this crazy year, so I’m really not banking on the Powerball thing. That means I’ll continue overlooking the goldenrod yellow tile for a bit, but there’s no reason I can’t make some carefully budgeted cosmetic changes around my condo. Here’s the thing though, I know I’m tired of all the dark furniture but I’m not sure what style I want to go with now. Coastal chic? Mid-century Modern? Industrial? Not sure yet, so I’m spending way too much time on Pinterest and Houzz and so far all I’ve come up with is that I want some crazy pops of color to brighten up this dark year.
As I’ve looked around my condo, trying to figure out what I want to keep and what I want to replace, it occurred to me that I might be leaning towards the minimalist lifestyle. My first house was 3 bedroom, 2 baths, 2 car garage, and around 1500 square feet. I downsized to a condo with 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a 1 car garage that was nearly 1600 square feet, and then really downsized 3 1/2 years ago to a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 985 square foot condo.
Minimalist Tendencies
I’m a huge reader but I have very few books. I rarely re-read books and I get nearly all my books from the library.
I have a fairly simple wardrobe. If I had to guess I probably have less than 35 items of clothing that I wear on a regular basis.
It’s usually about the 12-week mark before I decide I can stand my hair no longer and get a hair cut. I color my own hair (hello Ms. Clairol), just a little foundation and lipstick and a dab of perfume.
I hate throwing away food. I’ll eat the same meal 4 nights a week if it means not throwing away leftovers.
I don’t race out to buy the newest I-Phone. I tend to keep the same phone until it either dies or my son (who is notoriously hard on phones) breaks his. If I have an upgrade available in this case I’ll get the new phone and give him my old one (because you don’t get rewarded for being hard on phones!).
What Is A Minimalist?
The Minimalists (Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus) say that Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.
In other words, you don’t have to live in a tiny home or your van. You don’t have to go without a tv or a car, and you don’t have to abandon all your worldly goods to live like a pauper. It’s figuring out what’s important in your life and getting rid of what isn’t. This can be getting rid of physical clutter, relationships that aren’t working, finding a new career, getting rid of debt, etc.
Verdict? Am I A Minimalist?
Still not sure. I think as I age, I’m definitely leaning more that way though. It takes very little to make me happy. Some of my favorite things are below and they’re all pretty simple pleasures:
I like talking to my boys on a daily basis.
Love my planners and journals and colored pens that I write down everything from my to-do lists to my life goals to my blog posts and novel ideas. My laptop is also a must for my writing.
I love Chai Tea Lattes while I’m browsing or writing while at the bookstore or the library. (I really miss my library time since our library still hasn’t fully re-opened).
Hanging out at home in my sweats and watching the Hallmark channel or HGTV or any of my favorite sitcoms is perfectly fine with me.
I love self-help books and Danielle Steel.
Creating New Year’s Resolutions is one of my favorite yearly activities.
I still have a lot of clutter to get rid of before I could really call myself a hard-core minimalist but I also don’t necessarily feel the need for that label anyway. I’ll keep shedding the things I don’t need and treasuring or adding the things I do.
How about you? Are you a minimalist or do you like having stuff (there’s no wrong answer!)? And more importantly can someone please tell me what decorating style I need?? That’s what started all this soul-searching!
Hello Holly! I’m here to commiserate with you. I, too have a rather small wardrobe ( 50 items, I counted 🤣) I tend to get rid of the older things as I get new, unless it’s a real favorite. So probably a clothing minimalist. I had several lean years of single life, and learned to ignore a not-perfect tard( I hate to mow & always relied upon Chad); also old, worn out furniture, walls that needed painting, filthy carpets, etc. I filled my rooms with antiques to bring me joy. BUT…. now that I have a wonderful husband and the funds to slowly fix things up, I’m fat too excited over new curtains, remodeling jobs, etc., to be counted as a pure minimalist. I have gotten rid of a lot of “stuff.” I could easily get rid of more & live in a little bitty one bedroom bungalow when & if it’s needed as I get old. Hmmmmm….perhaps I am a minimalist? 🤣 Like you, I have no idea. I’m always glad to read your posts & find out how you’re doing. Thank you so much!
Hmmm…now I’m curious how many clothing items I have. I guess I’ll have to count this weekend. We got rid of a lot of stuff during our last move out of necessity but as I look around, I know I can get rid of even more now. In fact, I plan on having both boys go through some stuff when they’re home for the holidays and they’ll either be taking some stuff back with them or I’ll be taking it to Goodwill, lol. I really do want to focus more on just having items I love around. Thanks for commenting!!