Starting a minimalist lifestyle can be quite intimidating, but it can also be very exciting! Before you throw yourself fully into minimalism and declutter your entire house, here are 6 minimalist mistakes you should avoid.
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So you feel very overwhelmed by all the clutter in your life and can’t wait to just get rid of everything, right?! Yes, I was there too. I couldn’t wait to start fresh and to have less. I loved the idea of my space always looking neat and organized, but I never thought about what minimalism really meant past that. It’s totally normal if you make some beginner minimalist mistakes, but you will probably want to avoid them if you can.
If you are just starting out your minimalist journey, here are 6 minimalist mistakes to avoid making.
1. Getting Rid of Too Much
One of the first minimalist mistakes you might make is getting rid of too much. A minimalist lifestyle is definitely about living with less. Less material possessions, less spending, & just less clutter in general. However, many people make the mistake of getting rid of too much too soon. You might be feeling the pressure of having to get rid of certain things to be able to actually be a minimalist.
The important thing to remember is that minimalism looks different for everybody! If you have certain items that you are actually using, that’s awesome! You shouldn’t feel like you need to get rid of it just because you want to have less.
Focus on decluttering things that you don’t need or use and keep what you do use. If you get rid of things you actually need and use, you will probably regret it and even find yourself purchasing those items again! Save yourself the time, energy, and money and just keep those items until you actually no longer have the need for them.
2. Focusing Too Much on Aesthetics
Let me be clear, the aesthetic of a minimalist lifestlye was definitely a factor in my decision to go minimal. However, I made the mistake of focusing too much attention too only the aesthetic aspect of minimalism while neglecting the rest. As a new minimalist, you might find yourself BUYING more stuff to get a minimalist look in your home! I sure did!
To avoid this minimalist mistake, remember to take a step back and take it one step at a time. Focus on decluttering first, then slowly buy things that bring you joy and that are also practical. Make sure you aren’t going overboard with purchases and focus on looking for items that are timeless and that will last you for years to come.
It’s easy to compare yourself to other minimalists on social media, but they probably already have a few years of minimalism under their belts. Practicing financial minimalism is just as important and will probably help you keep your stress levels low.
3. Thinking You Are Not Minimal Enough
I feel like many people start a minimalist lifestyle but are afraid to call themselves minimalists. They feel like they still have too much stuff, even though they get use out of their items. As I said before, minimalism looks different for everyone, so don’t be scared to call yourself a minimalist!
Sure, there are hardcore minimalists you can live out of a backpack and ONLY own the bare essentials and that’s amazing! However, it isn’t practical for everyone, especially if you have kids and a family. You also might be a person who gets joy of having a few more pieces of clothing and dare I say, décor items! Personally, I am not one to live out of a backpack. I love having a home and buying just a few décor items to make it feel cozy. I still consider myself minimalist because I do own a lot less than the average person and focus on intentional living!
4. Pushing Minimalism on Others
When you first start a minimalist lifestyle, you are exciting and ready to live your clutter free life! If you live alone, then this probably won’t apply to you. However, if you have a spouse, kids, roommates, or still live at home with your parents, it’s important to respect their stuff.
When I first became a minimalist, I really wanted my husband to suddenly become a minimalist with me. I soon realized that he just wasn’t that into it, and that’s OKAY. He doesn’t own a TON of stuff, but he certainly has more than I do. For example, he loves buying physical books to read and he still buys DVDs at thrift stores every now and then. I have learned to respect his stuff and I always ask before getting rid of anything that is his! Not asking before decluttering is one of minimalist mistakes you want to avoid!
As long as people respect your lifestyle choice, they don’t have to join you. Minimalism is certainly not for everyone, some people just like stuff and it doesn’t bother them!
5. Not Decluttering Enough
On the other side of decluttering too much is not decluttering ENOUGH! Many people just desire a clean looking home but don’t put in the hard work of actually decluttering and getting rid of stuff. You might find yourself getting rid of a few things, but not diving deep to go through your home thoroughly.
Many people just organize the rest of their stuff into closets, cabinets, and drawers, but that organization is not going to last if you still have a bunch of stuff you can get rid of. Minimalism is not just about everything being neat and clean all the time, it’s about making easier to clean and organize! If you only have a few things, cleaning becomes so much easier!
Take the time to go through your home room by room and go through everything! Some people have stuff they didn’t even know they had anymore, I have been there.
6. Not Being Minimal in All Areas
Like I said before, a minimalist lifestyle is not just about having less. While yes, having less is a key component of minimalism, there are still other areas to minimize.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with all the clutter in your life, consider also if you are spreading yourself to thin. You might have certain relationships that aren’t healthy for you to continue in or that you should be investing less time in. If you are feeling exhausted, it’s okay to not see people so often. Focus on having a few meaningful relationships and putting time into those instead.
Minimalism is also digital. If you have way too many apps on your phone, or following to many people on social media, go ahead and do a digital declutter. Delete apps that you don’t use anymore, delete old emails, unsubscribe from things that aren’t beneficial, and unfollow people that make you feel negatively about yourself.
Minimalism is about reducing things overall in your life and they aren’t always just material. Focus on minimalism in all aspects of your life for better peace of mind and it will feel like a ton of weight has been lifted of your shoulders!
Want to read more about minimalism? Here are 5 Simple Life Changing Minimalist Habits.
