To embark on a minimalist lifestyle, what should one do?
Because I have nothing, I feel like I have everything.
Take a moment to ponder that…
In recent times, minimalism has garnered significant attention, and the reason is quite straightforward.
Despite our immense wealth and comfort, people in Western societies are not happier than before. This is largely due to our intense culture of consumption.
Since realizing that “things” are not the key to happiness, we have begun to search for better ways.
This has led us to minimalism.
So…
I’ve been calling myself a minimalist for about 5 years now.
Before delving deeper, there’s something I want to clarify.
Minimalism does not mean selling all your possessions and living in a van.
In fact, I know minimalists who own a 4000-square-foot house and a Lamborghini.
What does this mean?
Minimalism is about intentionally using resources and buying only what brings joy and value to your life.
It doesn’t mean eating only beans and rice and spending only $500 a month.
It’s about using your resources to improve your life and become a better person. It’s about using resources only for what brings joy and value to your life, rather than trying to keep up with the Joneses or societal appearances.
With that in mind, here are 9 ways to become a minimalist starting today.
1. Buy only what you need
The essence of minimalism is purchasing only what you need.
However, when we define minimalism, we use the word “need” in a slightly different sense.
When I say “buy only what you need,” I don’t mean you should only purchase beans, rice, a roofed shed, and second-hand clothes.
It means buying only things that genuinely add substantial value to your life.
And here’s the point.
Only you know what those things are.
Personally, I spend lavishly on travel, networking events, health foods, and various gadgets that aid performance improvement.
However, I don’t spend much on cars, apartments, or clothing.
Why? Because owning the latest Louis Vuitton swag doesn’t make me happy, nor does owning an Aston Martin that I only drive twice a week, or having an unnecessarily large luxurious apartment make me happy.
But for some people, nice cars, big houses, and high-quality clothing may add significant value to their lives.
There’s no right or wrong way to do minimalism. But ultimately, if you’re spending money only on things that bring joy and value to your life, you’re a minimalist.
2. Conduct lifestyle experiments to discern what truly makes you happy
As I mentioned earlier, minimalism is about spending money only on things that bring happiness and value to your life.
However, there’s a problem.
Most people don’t know what truly makes them happy!
We’ve been fed a lot of lies and false expectations throughout our lives, so we automatically assume that having a condo, two luxury sports cars, and a yacht will make us happy.
But after interviewing hundreds of millionaires (and even billionaires), it became clear that this simply isn’t true.
So, I recommend conducting “lifestyle experiments” to discern what truly makes you happy.
For example, when your current lease expires, try staying in various Airbnb locations of different sizes and in different places for several months.
See which lifestyle makes you happy.
Do you prefer a studio apartment in downtown? A large townhome in the suburbs? A simple cabin in the woods?
Try them out and see for yourself.
3. Purchase high-quality items
Another crucial aspect of minimalism is eliminating waste.
Therefore, to effectively incorporate a minimalist lifestyle, you need to be conscious not only of the happiness an item brings but also its quality and lifespan.
For instance, even as a minimalist, you might purchase a $300 expensive sweater. That’s because it will last for several years and allow you to create over half a dozen outfits that you love.
It’s a multi-purpose, high-quality purchase that provides value, eliminates waste, and stands the test of time.
On the other hand, if you buy a cheap $25 sweater from Walmart, it’ll wear out in a few months, and you’ll have to spend time and money finding another suitable sweater.
You’d be wasting Earth’s natural resources and time.
That’s not minimalism.
Whenever possible, especially for significant purchases, prioritize quality over quantity.
High-quality items are generally made in more environmentally sustainable ways (not always but often), last longer, and perform better.
Paradoxically, if you want to be a minimalist, you should be willing to spend more on essential items.
4. Ask good questions
As consumers, we typically start by asking ourselves, “How much can I get?”
But as minimalists, we ask ourselves, “How little can I be content with?”
And this is another clever tactic for embracing the minimalist lifestyle.
It’s asking good questions.
The quality of your life is generally directly linked to the quality of questions you ask yourself.
Consumers ask questions like:
How much does it cost?
What will my friends say about this?
How many items can I buy within my budget?
Minimalists ask questions like:
What’s the actual value of this product?
Will this bring joy to me and the people I care about?
Are the items I need on sale this week?
How little can I spend to maximize my happiness and performance?
Asking good questions leads to good answers.
Developing a habit of asking unconventional questions about your lifestyle, spending habits, and desires brings you closer to being the ultimate minimalist.
5. Step away from social media
Social media contributes little to the quality of your life.
Platforms like Instagram only remind you of what you don’t have and that others seem to lead better lives than you.
The solution?
Step away from social media.
It’s a waste of your time, drains your energy, and makes you desire unnecessary things.
Instead, spend time with loved ones face-to-face, read good books, or immerse yourself in hobbies you enjoy.
Minimalism isn’t just about how you spend money; it’s also about how you spend your time.
And in my opinion, social media is the worst investment you can make.
6. Spend solitary time in nature
If you truly want to become a real minimalist, spending solitary time in nature is the fastest way.
Connecting with the primal aspect allows you to remember what truly matters in life.
You can think deeply about your life, your goals, and ambitions.
It’s a chance to step away from the rat race and deeply contemplate who you are and what you truly desire.
Spend at least one day a week, without electronic devices, at the beach, in the mountains, or at a local park, just “being.”
It can change your life and help unravel the secrets of minimalism.
7. Practice intentional poverty
Intentionally letting go of everything for a certain period to experience happiness without possessions is more helpful than anything else.
Ancient Stoic philosophers regularly practiced “intentional poverty,” staying in basic accommodations, eating porridge or rice, and wearing only the cheapest clothing.
Even if it’s just for a week in a year, by having nothing, you’ll truly remember what’s important and ask yourself, “Is this what I feared?”
Practicing intentional poverty can greatly reduce fear from your life.
Because you’ll truly know what
failure is and realize it’s not as bad as you initially thought.
8. Travel more frequently
Regular travel helps reduce possessions, opens your mind to new ways of living, and shows you how many happy and healthy people face much poverty in reality, helping you become a true minimalist.
If you get the chance, I highly recommend traveling the world for 6 to 12 months.
I promise your life will change.
9. Get rid of credit cards
If you can’t pay for something in cash, you probably don’t need it.
Getting rid of credit cards will push you closer to being a true minimalist. Simply because you can’t spend money you don’t have.
