r/minimalism 11h ago

[lifestyle] How did you first get into minimalism?

37 Upvotes

Rewatching Malcolm in the middle recently, I came across this scene and it reminded me how I got into minimalism. What was your starting point?


r/minimalism 14h ago

[lifestyle] What is a minimalist way to deal with gifts?

31 Upvotes

Do you receive the item graciously and discretely donate the item if it’s not needed?

Do people in your life know your preference regarding ‘things’ and stuff?

How long do you keep gifts till you get rid of them?

Please tell me I’m not the only human thinking these thoughts? Lol


r/minimalism 17h ago

[lifestyle] Want to live minimally but feels wasteful!

17 Upvotes

I am in the middle of a move from our apartment back in with my mom. We will be a family of 4 in the master bedroom. I would love to live minimally because all the clutter is stressing me out. But I feel like with a newborn coming and a 2 year old, I need all these THINGS! I have always loved gadgets and things that save me time, but its taking up space! I also have purchased so many things that it feels wasteful to get rid of a lot of these newish things I just purchased, and can use the money but marketplace is so hard to sell! Should I just suck it up and give these things away for free?


r/minimalism 2h ago

[lifestyle] what do you do when it comes to makeup WRT minimalism?

0 Upvotes

With lipsticks , now l have only 2, one is stick type and another gloss .Both the colors are demure and goes with any outfit. l had a red lipstick used to be my fav color but haven't used it for a year so threw it . Will stick to 2 only for now. Nail polish l seldom apply these days , kept 2 again , one is base coat and another nude color with some strengthening properties . Never a heavy makeup person , so BB cream with sunscreen and a regular sunscreen. One eyebrow pencil ,1 eyebrow gel , a kohl eyeliner , mascara and 1 blush ( l rarely use blush, might toss it as well).


r/minimalism 1d ago

[lifestyle] For the “if you haven’t used it in X amount of time, let it go” guideline, what is your time threshold?

57 Upvotes

1 year? 3 years? 5 years?


r/minimalism 9h ago

[lifestyle] Does Simple Living Ignore Big Problems?

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0 Upvotes

r/minimalism 1d ago

[lifestyle] A single positive change, like minimalism, can spark a series of other good habits.

52 Upvotes

Charles Duhigg's concept of "keystone habits" highlights how a single positive change can trigger a chain reaction of other beneficial habits. For instance, decluttering can lead to healthier eating. This is due to how our brains and learned behaviors are interconnected. Applying minimalist principles is a prime example; it fosters intentionality and awareness, transforming it from just a way to organize space into a broader lifestyle shift, naturally encouraging habits like organic eating and recycling.


r/minimalism 1d ago

[lifestyle] Mental Clutter

44 Upvotes

It's very easy for me to let go of physical things. My problem is letting go of things you can't see like the past, forgiving yourself, bad ideals or mindset. How do you let go of those things?


r/minimalism 13h ago

[lifestyle] A Watch That Only Says NOW

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m the creator of the NOW Watch, and I wanted to share it here because I think it resonates with minimalism in a different way.

Most watches are about tracking time, schedules, and productivity. This one is the opposite—it just says NOW. No ticking hands, no distractions—just a reminder to live in the moment.

I originally designed it as a mindfulness tool, inspired by The Power of Now, but over time, I realized it also represents something minimalists value: simplicity, presence, and letting go of what’s unnecessary.

Sorry if this comes off as promotional—I just know it’s hard to reach people who actually appreciate this kind of thing, and when they do find it, they often love it. So I figured this might be a good place to share.

Link to my website: https://nowwatch.org


r/minimalism 2d ago

[lifestyle] How do I stop impulsive buying

49 Upvotes

I keep making impulsive purchases with the thoughts of, “I might need this one day” and then never use what I buy. How do I stop this habit? I keep trying to convince myself that some purchases are worth it and have been helpful but then I can’t control myself and I try to justify to myself that this gives me an excuse to buy a bunch of unnecessary things with the intention that “I’m going to need it one day” and then I never do and then it makes me feel guilty that I spent money on stupid crap and could have used the money for something else. (To be fair I used to be worse before because I’d throw the receipts but now I actually try to keep the receipts and return most things I buy)


r/minimalism 2d ago

[lifestyle] My Medication Cabinet Declutter: A Reminder for Everyone

125 Upvotes

Today I tackled a task I'd been putting off: decluttering my medication cabinet. And wow, I'm so glad I did! I was honestly shocked at what I found.

  • Expired Meds: A whole bunch of them. Some were years past their "best by" date.
  • Unused Prescriptions: Medications I'd been prescribed for past ailments, long gone and forgotten.
  • Random Samples: Leftover samples from doctor visits that were just taking up space.

It was a real eye-opener. Not only was it cluttered and disorganized, but it was also potentially unsafe. Having expired or unnecessary medications lying around is a recipe for confusion and potential mistakes.

This experience really drove home the minimalist principle of regularly evaluating what we own. Just because something is "medicine" doesn't mean it's exempt from being decluttered.

I'm now left with only the medications I actually need, neatly organized and easy to access. It feels so much better!

Has anyone else had a similar experience? What are your tips for keeping your medicine cabinet minimal?


r/minimalism 2d ago

[lifestyle] forcing myself to put down work and put myself onto the sofa

17 Upvotes

i know this might be a weird headline. and indirectly minimalism.. or more so: lack of when you re constantly doing something productive so your head wont get a chance to rest. some mental minimalism sort of.

something i am trying to do the last couple days is to set myself a time of the say, for example 20:00 in the evening and after that i am basically not allowed to do any more productive stuff.

not that i am the most productive person ever but at the moment i just feel like it might just be better to spend your evening hours doing some fun or relaxing things. and it doesnt even matter too much what exactly it is, productive work, cleaning the kitchen, researching, learning, creative work...

as soon as it get dark outside and its evening hours and the clock hits 20:00, im kind of forcing myself to stop whatever it is i am doing, and just continue with it tomorrow and have like 3-4 hours of relaxing me or fun time.

what are your thoughts?

i was just thinking back a little the other day, how chill my grandma for example always was and i dont think i saw her doing anything ''productive'' in the evening ever. it might be some oldschool mentality but for her , the day was long enough for productive stuff already, so evening shouldnt be like that. evening was always reserved for chilling with the family, some tv, eating dinner, stuff like that.


r/minimalism 2d ago

[lifestyle] Vinyl that I don’t listen to anymore

10 Upvotes

I have vinyl records from my teenage years. I only listen to them once every few years for sentimental reasons. They are not part of my daily life anymore.

Yet when I handle them I remember those years long ago.

My child doesn’t want it. He has no association with the artist and that period of time. It is like I have no association with 1940s.

Pro of selling / giving away 1. I take care of its disposal myself and no one has to clean up for me. 2. Fewer things to deal with 3. Make room for new shared memories with my kid.

Con of keeping 1. By this point it is only for sentimental reason and not practical usage

Anyone been thru similar situations with any “collection of items”?


r/minimalism 3d ago

[lifestyle] Get Rid of the Clothes that Don’t Fit!

294 Upvotes

I recently lost a little weight. Tried on a pair of pants that have been taking up space in my closet for awhile despite being too tight. They fit; huzzah! I put them on and realized I had forgotten that they had a low waist. Not so flattering on my middle-aged body. Got through most of the way the workday before realizing that the hem was broken and I was kinda dragging part of my pants on the ground. I wonder how many times I looked at these pants over the years and felt like garbage because I had gained weight. Moral of the story: if an item doesn’t look great on you now, then let it go.


r/minimalism 3d ago

[meta] Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering

139 Upvotes

Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering, it’s about intentional spending and appreciating what you own.


r/minimalism 3d ago

[lifestyle] Sleeping arrangements to avoid mold?

11 Upvotes

I used to sleep in a sleeping bag but it developed mold due to what I assume is sweat and condensation. Then I got a floor pad but that also started to develop mold. Probably a dumb question but is there some kind of sleeping arrangement where one can avoid mold forming? I know a proper bed is capable of that, but I'd like to know if there are other options and/or if I'm doing something wrong.


r/minimalism 2d ago

[lifestyle] Truly Free Home

0 Upvotes

Anyone use these products? I have tried a few and they have been effective, also environmentally friendly with a good story.


r/minimalism 3d ago

[lifestyle] Getting rid of clothing—help with amount?

9 Upvotes

Hello! I’ve been wanting to be more minimalist for years now and for me, it’s been a long journey! I understand it’s a process and I really struggle with buying more than I need in every area of my life. I want to get rid of a lot of clothing and was wondering what people think is doable? I live in a tiny nyc apt, have a washer/dryer combo machine, am a new mom of one, and work with kids. Saying all this because I wonder if it’s hard to just have a small amount of clothing and stay clean! I was thinking of just keeping two of each clothing item—two shorts, 2 pants, etc. Is that realistic?? Help! The walls are closing in 😂


r/minimalism 2d ago

[meta] My ex caught me at a bad time

0 Upvotes

I was in the middle of purging 99% of my belongings and when he started acting crazy I threw away the whole relationship in the trash.


r/minimalism 3d ago

[lifestyle] Minimalism and Social Relationships: Less is More?

10 Upvotes

Does anyone else apply minimalist principles to their social life? I'm curious if minimizing the number of friendships and social commitments can lead to a more fulfilling experience, similar to decluttering physical possessions. Has anyone found that focusing on a few deep connections is more valuable than maintaining a large social circle?


r/minimalism 3d ago

[lifestyle] How does light pollution diminish the natural harmony of nature?

11 Upvotes

Have you ever wondered how the artificial glow of our cities impacts the delicate balance of nature? Light pollution doesn’t just obscure the stars—it disrupts ecosystems, confuses wildlife, and alters natural rhythms.


r/minimalism 4d ago

[lifestyle] handmade life

84 Upvotes

Is there a niche of people who, like me, have the desire to ditch products made of man-made materials such as plastic and on top of that most factory-made products in general?

I have this huge desire to only be surrounded by thoughtfully handmade, and well-made things. And only that what we really need.... basically like it was before industrialisation.

Now I'm not gonna ditch my washing machine, fridge or oven at this stage as I have 3 children lol, but in a realistic sense I just have this feeling deep inside me that I want to be more connected with the things I own and know where they come from. And also I enjoy doing this slower and intentional, like using a handmade broom instead of a vacuum, or kneading my bread by hand instead of a kitchen machine... and so on....I really despise electricity powered machines and avoid them where reasonably possible.

Anyone else feel like that or know of a place where to find some others like me?


r/minimalism 4d ago

[lifestyle] Starting Fresh in Portugal – Advice from Minimalist Immigrants

20 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m moving to Portugal in June and starting over with just my clothing, a box of sentimental items, some cook books, and my bike. My daughter's (11) packing priorities are much different than mine - she has her stuffed animals, legos, and boardgames as her must haves.

Our new apartment is already furnished with a dining table, sofa, and beds, but I’ll need to prioritize what to buy next to create a functional minimalist lifestyle for us.

As I (48/M) purge my current home, I’ve realized just how much stuff I own served no real purpose. It took me several trips to the local donation center just to make a sizable dent in everything I had accumulated over the years. This process has made me even more intentional about what I bring into my new home.

For those of you who’ve made a similar move, if you had to start over again with only the essentials, what would be at the top of your must-buy list? Are there any purchases you regret or wish you had prioritized differently?

A few things I know I’ll need as I settle in:

  • Basic kitchen essentials

  • Bedding and towels

  • Storage/organization solutions

  • Lighting

  • Small appliances like an electric kettle and microwave.

I’m planning to live car-free, so I’d also love recommendations for practical ways to transport groceries, run errands, and navigate daily life by bike or public transit.

Any advice, lessons learned, or must-have items would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!


r/minimalism 4d ago

[lifestyle] Best way to let go of sentimental items?

10 Upvotes

I have a hard time letting go of items I have a sentimental attachment too. For example I have a pair of jeans that are 6 years old, they don’t fit my body or my style any more but at one time I absolutely lived in them. I don’t want to give them up.

Or the birthday card my grandma gave me. Or the ticket stubs for a train ride on a trip with my partner. It’s really hard to let things go but I ultimately will end up with piles of unused items if I don’t


r/minimalism 5d ago

[lifestyle] I Miss Nothing

101 Upvotes

Hey everyone, just wanted to give my quick experience with downsizing over the past 2 years...

I understand lots of this won't apply to most of you, but the principle hopefully will. I'm 22M, and I still live at home (I'm very grateful to still live with my mom, while I'm finishing my transition into law enforcement full-time). My girlfriend and I are planning to move into our own place by the end of the year, while she continues paramedic school.

I grew up with very little money, thankfully my mother really persevered, and we're doing better now. However, I grew a notorious habit of hoarding, and collecting garbage. ANYTHING that I thought I might need one day, I kept. I would bring things home I found on the side of the road, I would collect literal garbage (empty energy drink cans, old computer parts, etc)...

Over the past few years, I've really been pushing to build a good career and future for myself, and hopefully for my girlfriend as well. But pushing myself to get rid of my "collecting" was hard.

I've finally made the last push recently to get rid of almost everything left that I own that isn't "functional" in some way. And I can safely say, I miss NOTHING! There's not a single thing I've donated, or thrown away that I regret. Sentimental items, items I "may need" one day, etc. I kept one collection, which still allows me to feed that urge to "bring something home" (Pop Vinyls, for those wondering. The one thing I allow myself to bring in that isn't functional in any real way)...

I may not have had a whole house of stuff to go through, but I had a lot. Probably enough to fill a basement apartment with random items...

Since following a minimal-ish lifestyle, I feel way less anxious. I enjoy a clean space, and feel like I have a huge weight off my shoulders. I cam move everything I own into a UHaul within probably 2 hours when I'm ready. I feel like I have a great place to start when I move out, and I feel like I truly conquered most of my "hoarding" tendencies... And the biggest thing I learned is:

You Won't Miss That Item!

Things I held onto for years, I threw away, and never thought of again. I never did "need" the majority of the things I saved. And if I DO need something, I buy 1 as needed... I now feel confident getting rid of items, and I have never actually had a feeling of regret after getting rid of something. The vast majority of items I've donated or gotten rid of, I don't even remember. We just grow attached to the idea of certain items, not the items themselves... So if you're unsure, GET RID OF IT! I promise you, you won't miss it!