I Gave Up Minimalism To Live A Simple Life

When I first started out in my wellbeing journey I believed that minimalism was the key to a simpler life. I had to declutter and get rid of all of my excess stuff to feel more relaxed at home and to have better mental health.

There are things I love about minimalism and things I do not. Minimalism means different things to different people. For some, it is an extreme lifestyle where you do not even have a home and live out of a backpack. For others, it is a tool to reduce unnecessarily items and make room for what is more important. Quite a few believe minimalism is not just a lifestyle, but a monochromatic or all white aesthetic. For some it is not a choice, but forced upon us by poverty, while others have plenty of extra cash to replace any item as needed so saving items does not feel important. There is a whole mix of good and bad and everything in between.

Although I still live by many minimalistic principles; using what I already have, thrifting instead of buying new, living within my means, and decluttering the things that I do not use, I do not fit the label of a minimalist anymore. The whole term depicts a lifestyle and I simply don’t fit that mold or that box anymore.

The thing is, when I was actively practicing minimalism I felt a lot of guilt. I felt guilty for buying something new, for having too many books or tea cups, for having messes or any clutter in my home. I felt guilty for not being a “better” minimalist. I felt like I had to portray a strong minimalist and I was afraid of people seeing me with stuff.

I also wasted a lot of energy on constantly upkeeping this lifestyle and trying to reach minimalism goals. And it also got me wondering why we feel the need to fit so many molds and slap a label sticker on our lifestyles. I have always appreciated living simply. Thrifting was something I learned young because I grew up poor and I taught the value of appreciating my material things. I learned how great thrifting instead of buying new was for my environmental impact as well as for my modest budget. I fix my belongings instead of replacing them each time something breaks. I like old things that have beauty, character, and a history like a used book or vintage tea cup.

I have always loved simple cozy little spaces without too much stuff. But I also like stuff! I love having a large bookshelf overflowing with books that bring me joy. I enjoy it as an experience and visually. I love using my vintage mixing bowls and I admit that I own far too many dresses in all sorts of colors and patterns. My closet space is tight. My craft cabinet is overstuffed right now.

I feel that there is a happy in between of minimalism and maximalism. I grew up in a hoarding household. Not as bad as what you would see in a tv show, but full of junk that was held “just in case.” A lot of it was actual garbage or old expired and random foods that could not be used in a daily meal. I believe we all have to learn to let go of what is not serving us, to clear out the clutter in our lives, but also know that we are more than just our things.

I think it is actually good to save things for later or just in case sometimes. I cannot tell you how many times I got rid of something just because I thought I should, only to regret it later. Sometimes “just in case” happens. We have to learn when or if it ever will when making the decision to hold onto something that we may not need any time soon.

I’m also a big believer in reusing objects and repurposing and recycling. And the great thing about all of this is that you do not have to be a minimalist to have these lifestyle habits and shifts.

What I love about simple living is that it is not a mold or a list of requirements. It is not a label or even a regimented lifestyle. While minimalism can look different to different people, minimalists still follow a pretty strict lifestyle when it comes to the things in our lives. Simple living just means keeping it simple and uncomplicated. It means living simply and simply living.

So these days I do not identify as a minimalist. I live simply. Or more honestly, I’m simply myself.