Minimalist living is having a major moment these days. Everywhere you turn, Youtube, Instagram feeds, documentaries, and the pages of self-help books, the gospel of decluttering is taking root, promising a life of peace and simplicity. It’s like a quiet revolution against the chaos of consumerism, urging us to ditch the excess and embrace a lifestyle that focuses on what truly matters.
For the longest time, I thought minimalism was just about stark white walls, a single chair in an empty room, and a wardrobe that consisted of five neutral-toned outfits. Basically, I thought it was not for someone like me, someone who has a deeply sentimental attachment to old clothes, pictures, mementos from places I barely remember, and a closet filled with God-knows-what. I mean, I hoard. Neatly, I must add. But still, I hoard, and a closet filled with God-knows-what. I mean, I hoard. Neatly, I must add. But still, I hoard.😉
Then, I started noticing something. People around me who had embraced minimalism seemed lighter. Not just in the amount of stuff they had, but in their whole vibe for real. They weren’t drowning in piles of laundry, tripping over shoes, or digging through mountains of clutter to find their car keys or something. They seemed… light free. And the more I thought about it, the more I realised I wanted that too. Or at least, I wanted to understand why they seemed to have cracked the code to a less stressful life. What wouldn’t I give for a less stressful life? Smh
Minimalism isn’t just about getting rid of stuff for the sake of it. It’s about being intentional with what we own and making space for the things that add real value to our lives. It’s the opposite of what we’ve been conditioned to believe – that happiness comes from acquiring more. More clothes, more gadgets, more decor, more everything. And let’s be real, the culture of ‘more’ is exhausting. There’s always another sale, another must-have, another trend to keep up with. It never ends. Minimalism, on the other hand, whispers, “What if you just… stopped?”
At its core, minimalist living is about cutting out the excess to focus on what matters. Some people apply it strictly to their physical space, clearing out unnecessary possessions and keeping only what they use and love. Others extend it to their digital lives, social circles, and even their commitments, saying no to things that drain their energy. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about creating space for the things that bring joy, purpose, and peace.
Now, I’d love to say that I woke up one day, decided to be a minimalist, and immediately transformed my life. Nah. To be honest, the idea of decluttering can be overwhelming, especially when you’re the kind of person who keeps random packaging “just in case” you need it someday. My journey started small. One day, I tackled my wardrobe. Another day, I went through my bookshelves (which was hard because books feel like old friends). Then, I moved on to my workspace, realising that I functioned better when I wasn’t surrounded by clutter. The more I let go, the more I felt a sense of relief. It was like I was literally making room to breathe.
Minimalism doesn’t look the same for everyone, I must say. For some, like my sister, (name withheld; nonetheless, she would come for me when she reads this 😁), it means owning only the bare essentials. For others, it’s simply about being mindful of what they allow into their space. And that’s the beauty of it. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. It’s about finding your own balance: what works for you.
Minimalist Living: My Journey so far
But let’s talk about the real challenge: the emotional attachment to stuff. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find a thousand justifications for keeping things. That old t-shirt from way back? Nostalgia. A drawer full of leftover Ankara materials? Well, I never got around to using those for the patchwork Ankara outfit I saw on Pinterest. A pile of notebooks from my high school and Uni days? You never know; I might want to revisit my old notes on Geography. (Spoiler: I won’t.) Letting go isn’t easy. But what I’ve learnt is that clinging to things because of guilt, nostalgia, or the infamous “what if” isn’t doing me any favours. In fact, it’s just weighing me down.
The real magic of minimalist living isn’t just in the decluttering process; it’s in the shift of mindset. When you start questioning what you actually need, you begin to realise how much of what you own is just taking up space. And once you experience the clarity that comes with letting go, it gets easier to resist the urge to accumulate more.
Of course, minimalism isn’t just about having fewer possessions. It’s about living with intention. It’s about spending time on things that truly matter: relationships, experiences, personal growth, rather than being trapped in the cycle of acquiring and maintaining stuff. I’ve found that I enjoy life more when I’m not constantly organising, (mostly pushing things out of sight), cleaning, or looking for things. I’m more present. More focused and definitely less stressed.
Does that mean I’m now a fully fledged minimalist? Ha, not even close. I still have clutter lurking in corners, and I’ll probably always struggle with wanting to keep sentimental knickknacks. But I’m learning. I’m questioning. I’m making choices that align more with the kind of life I actually want to live.
So, if you’ve ever felt suffocated by your belongings, if you’ve ever opened a closet and sighed in defeat, or if you just want to simplify your life, maybe it’s time to give minimalism a shot. Start small. One drawer, one shelf, one decision at a time. And who knows? You might just find yourself breathing a little easier, feeling a little lighter, and enjoying life a whole lot more.
Stay frosty!