This post is about six clear signs it is time to embrace a minimalist lifestyle.
We live in a time when it is easier than ever to get what we want in as little as two days. With online shopping and buy now, pay later options, it’s no wonder we are overconsuming without much thought.
Our homes are often filled with items we do not use, creating a cluttered space that can be overwhelming. But imagine the relief of decluttering, creating a space that truly reflects your needs and desires, and making it easier to enjoy your living space.
Like many, I used to overconsume, especially when buying items that were on sale, thinking I was saving money when, in reality, I was wasting money. It was a cycle I found hard to break, but my journey toward minimalism helped me realize the actual costs of these on-sale items.
Let me show you some signs that it is time to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. This lifestyle can help you reach financial and personal goals and live more intentionally.
What is a minimalist lifestyle?
A minimalist lifestyle is about living with intention, choosing to have less of what you do not enjoy and more of what you do. Removing things that do not bring joy allows you to focus on what truly matters and feel more in control of your life.
For example, you can spend quality time with a loved one instead of at a shopping mall. You can enjoy homemade coffee instead of wasting time and money at a coffee shop.
The benefits of a minimalist lifestyle include reduced stress, increased productivity, and more time to reach your personal goals. It’s about living intentionally and being mindful of your choices, leading to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.
Six signs it is time to embrace a minimalist lifestyle
- Do not enjoy your job
If you are stuck at a job you do not enjoy and feel you have no choice but to stay due to the paycheck, then this should be a sign that you should embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Staying at a workplace you do not enjoy due to a paycheck is not a way to live your life.
Make a plan to find a job you want or do something that brings you joy. Cut down unnecessary expenses, pay off your debt fast, save money, and plan to change by a specific date, whether it be a career change, working fewer hours, or building a business. A minimalist lifestyle and mindset will help you value your time over money, making it easier for you to make that change.
- Living paycheck to paycheck
With increased food and housing costs, many people may live paycheck to paycheck. But by making changes that can help you stop this cycle, such as increasing your income, lowering your expenses, and paying off debt quickly, you can regain control of your finances and life.
Living paycheck to paycheck can also be due to overspending on takeout or unnecessary shopping sprees. Looking at where your money goes after all your necessities are paid can help you make better financial decisions.
You can do meal planning, no-buy or low-buy months and embrace the underconsumption core. These are a few ways to save money, reach your financial goals, and avoid living paycheck to paycheck.
- Planning for a major life event
If you feel overwhelmed by a major life event due to finances, embracing a minimalist lifestyle can help reduce the stress.
These can include a wedding, saving for a house, or growing a family. These major life events represent significant changes, commitments, and lifestyle adjustments.
Planning for a major life event can include cutting unnecessary expenses, paying off debt quickly, and decluttering to make space for what matters most.
- You are in debt
Debt, such as student loans, car loans, or credit card loans, can be a heavy burden. But imagine the sense of accomplishment and freedom of paying off that debt.
A minimalist lifestyle can help you achieve this, as it did for me when I paid off $18,000.00 on a low income in one year. If I can do it, anyone can.
Student loan forgiveness will not happen, and we must tackle them aggressively to avoid living paycheck to paycheck.
The cost of vehicles and interest rates are high, and financing a vehicle is not a good choice. Save money and buy a used car to avoid having a big car payment you can’t afford, saving you thousands on interest.
Cut your credit cards in half, pay them off, and stop using them. Buy what you need in cash to avoid wasting money on interest rates.
- Overwhelmed with clutter
Are you overwhelmed by the clutter in your home? Clutter causes you to spend too much time cleaning, looking for items, or over-organizing.
Creating a clutter-free space can help increase your productivity, promote better sleep, and give you more time to reach personal goals. Decluttering your home and removing items you do not use or enjoy can help you maintain a clean and tidy home. Making it simple to clean, do laundry, and tidy up.
- Same place this time last year
Did you write down your personal goals or financial goals, yet you are still in the same place you were this time last year? Writing down your goals is good, but creating a plan and taking the steps to reach them will help you achieve them.
A minimalist lifestyle and mindset can help you live more intentionally, making it easier to change your life.
You can be more mindful when shopping, which saves you money.
Sleeping early to wake up early for a morning walk for exercise, instead of binge-watching television late at night.
Learning to say “no” more often will leave you time to do things you can enjoy, like a new hobby, self-care, or rest.
These are a few examples of how living more intentionally can improve your life.
Tips to start a minimalist lifestyle
- Declutter
This may seem difficult initially depending on how many items you own, but it is all worth the effort. Tackling one space at a time and taking before-and-after pictures can help motivate you to keep decluttering. The end goal is to declutter to create a calm and easy-to-maintain space.
Related post
How to Declutter Your Bathroom and Finally Keep it Organized and Clutter-Free
How to Organize a Small Closet on a low Budget
10 Reasons you Should Start Decluttering now and Embrace Simplicity
- Underconsumption core
The underconsumption core is a TikTok trend about reducing unnecessary purchases and promoting more conscious consumption.
Avoid buying cleaning products or skincare products until you finish up what you already have. Avoid fast fashion and shop for quality instead of quantity to save money and avoid items ending up in landfills. Purchase gently used or second-hand items like clothing, furniture, books, or toys to give them a second chance.
- Minimal wardrobe
After you have decluttered your wardrobe and keeping only the items that fit now and you enjoy using, it is essential to keep a minimal or capsule wardrobe.
Be realistic with the items you keep. Ten workout outfits are unnecessary if you only work out four times a week or less. Do not keep items for your future self. For example, when you lose weight or get a new job.
Creating a capsule or minimal wardrobe will save you time doing laundry. When it comes to buying clothes and accessories, choose quality over quantity. Doing so will save you money and space since you will not buy as often.
Final thoughts
These are six clear signs that you should embrace a minimalist lifestyle. These signs helped me decide to change how I lived and spent money. A minimalist lifestyle has helped me pay off debt fast, be a stay-at-home mom, and be more intentional with my time.
Whether you want to simplify your life or be more intentional about your day-to-day life, a minimalist lifestyle and mindset can help you do that. Implementing the few tips above to start a minimalist lifestyle will help you reap the benefits of minimalism.
I highly recommend the book Things that Matter: Overcoming Distractions to Pursue a More Meaningful Life by Joshua Becker.
This book has helped me value my time more than chasing material possessions, and I think it would help you, too.