My Path to MinimALLism
While I’ve only considered myself a minimalist since January of 2021, my path to minimalism began about two years ago. I started mostly because of my wardrobe.
My wardrobe wasn’t working
I used to have a very unhealthy relationship with clothes, which was at its worst in college. I shopped all the time to prove I was cool and worthy of other people’s approval. What I purchased was cheap, in both price and quality, and totally random. When I bought one thing, it often required buying something else to go with it. Yet I still felt like I didn’t have enough and had nothing to wear.
I also couldn’t reconcile my feminist beliefs with constantly purchasing fast fashion, which is often made by women of color in inhumane working conditions and is awful for the environment.
This discontent, and my crazy amount of student loan debt, caused me to seek a better way of doing things.
I tried Project 333
I began with a capsule wardrobe, specifically Project 333 (33 items of clothes and accessories for three months, not counting loungewear/workout clothes). If you don’t think you can do this challenge, I think you’re wrong! You can do anything for three months.
Project 333 didn’t work for me long-term (I now have around 40 items of clothes and accessories for all year). But after two years of capsules, Project 333 showed me how few clothes I really needed and helped me focus on what I actually liked wearing. I felt less stressed and guilty getting dressed and my shopping was heavily curbed. Because I was buying less, when I did shop I could spend a bit more on sustainable and ethical brands (thrifting also helps keep this affordable). Now, purchasing from fast fashion companies that treat their workers poorly is not an option.
I applied these lessons to other areas
I had such success with minimizing my wardrobe that I did so in other aspects of my life. I seriously paired down my makeup and stopped replenishing products like foundation and bronzer. I parted with “sentimental” items that made me feel crappy. I said goodbye to the graveyard of failed skin and hair products.
Getting rid of clutter also helped me focus more on the mindset of minimalism and how choosing to own less would benefit me. I listened to podcasts, watched videos, and joined online communities. I still get the urge to shop, so this prevents me from replacing what I purged with more of what I don’t need. At least most of the time, I still trip up!
(I want to clarify that choosing to own less is just that, a choice, and I’m lucky to have it. This is different from not having enough which is almost always MUCH WORSE than having too much. Minimalists should be careful not to romanticize scarcity, which many experience due to an inadequate social safety net and a myriad of other reasons that are not their choice. Posts on these topics are coming!)
In conclusion
Even if you think minimalism isn’t for you, I would consider picking one aspect of your life that overwhelms you. It could be your closet, your kitchenware, your beauty products, your books. Seriously cut out what you don’t need, even more than you might initially want to. If you aren’t ready to commit to parting with those things, hide them away for three months. See what you miss. You may realize the less you choose to keep, the less you feel you want. At least that’s been my experience.
If you decide to try minimalism in one area, tell me what you pick. I would love to hear!