The Honest Truth About Minimalism: I Tried It, It Wasn't Pretty

Let Me Tell You About My Minimalist Experiment

Okay, so about three months ago, I did something stupid. I decided to become a minimalist. I mean, look, I’ve always been kinda messy, but I figured, how hard could it be? Turns out, really hard. And embarrassing. And honestly, kinda eye-opening.

So, let’s call my friend Marcus. He’s been a minimalist for years. Lives in this tiny apartment with, like, no furniture. Just a mattress on the floor and a single bookshelf. I asked him, “How do you do it?” He said, “You just start throwing stuff away.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.

Day One: The Great Purge

I started in my closet. Marcus told me to get rid of anything I hadn’t worn in a year. Easy, right? Wrong. I found this dress I wore to my cousin Sarah’s wedding in 2018. It was hideous, but I kept it because, “What if I need a hideous dress again?” Spoiler: I won’t.

Then there were the shoes. I have a problem. I know I do. But I’m not sure I’m ready to admit it to the world. Let’s just say, I’m now the proud owner of a lot less shoes. And honestly, I feel lighter. Physically and emotionally.

Week Two: The Kitchen Nightmare

Oh boy. The kitchen. I have a colleague named Dave. He’s a chef. I asked him for advice. He said, “Look, if you haven’t used it in six months, toss it.” So, I did. I got rid of that weird pasta maker I bought on a whim. The one that took up half a cabinet and made terrible pasta. Goodbye, you overpriced piece of junk.

But then I hit a snag. My coffee maker. I love it. It’s old, it’s clunky, but it makes the best coffee. Dave said, “If it brings you joy, keep it.” So, I did. But everything else? Gone. I even found a can of beans from 2015. I don’t even like beans!

Month Two: The Digital Detox

So, I’m not sure if this counts as minimalism, but I decided to clean up my digital life too. I uninstalled alot of apps. Like, a lot. I deleted 214 photos from my camera roll. I even unsubscribed from 36 emails. It was liberating. And honestly, I feel like I can breathe again.

But then I hit a problem. My email. I have a committment to keep my inbox at zero. But then I found out about sustainable living practical tips. And I was like, “Wait, this is actually useful!” So, I kept it. But everything else? Gone. I even unsubscribed from my local library’s newsletter. Which honestly, nobody asked for but here we are.

A Tangent: The Minimalist’s Dilemma

So, I was talking to Marcus again. He’s been a minimalist for years. I asked him, “Don’t you ever miss stuff?” He said, “Nope. It’s just… yeah.” Which, I mean, I don’t get it. But I respect it. I guess.

But here’s the thing. I’m not sure I can be a minimalist. I like stuff. I like having options. I like knowing that if I need a hideous dress, I have one. But I also like not tripping over shoes every time I walk into my closet.

The Verdict: Minimalism Isn’t for Me

So, here’s the thing. I tried minimalism. And it wasn’t completley terrible. But it wasn’t for me. I like having stuff. I like having options. I like knowing that if I need a weird pasta maker, I have one. But I also like not having to dig through a mountain of junk to find it.

So, I’m gonna find a middle ground. I’m gonna keep some stuff. But I’m also gonna get rid of alot of it. And I’m gonna feel better about it. Because honestly, who needs a can of beans from 2015?

And look, I’m not saying you should do this. I’m just saying, maybe think about it. Maybe start small. Maybe just clean out your closet. Or your inbox. Or your life. Whatever works for you.

But for now, I’m gonna go enjoy my coffee. In my kitchen. With my coffee maker. Because that’s what makes me happy.

About the Author: Hi, I’m Lisa. I’m a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I love writing, I hate minimalism, and I’m kinda obsessed with coffee. I live in New York with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and my collection of hideous dresses.

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