As a minimalist, I find there are so many things I don’t need duplicates of. In fact, I try to avoid duplicates as much as possible. Having duplicates usually makes it harder to find things and easier for things to be misplaced. Having only one forces me to have a place for it and it’s way easier to keep track of things. Here are some things I only own one of as a minimalist.
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1. Hair Brush
The first things on my list is a hair brush. I used to own several brushes, including combs and different shaped brushes. Now, I simply only use one hair brush which is a boar bristle hair brush. It works great at detangling my hair without breaking it and that all I need a brush to do anyway.
Can you believe I used to tease my hair? I had several combs I used to use to tease my hair back in high school and a separate hair brush to brush over the top. It was like having a birds nest on my head. Can anyone relate? Maybe not, but I would love to know if you can lol.
As a minimalist, having only one hair brush is just so much easier for me.
2. Handbag
Another thing I only own one of, which I feel most other women own at least a couple, is a handbag. I like to have a neutral handbag that can go with all my outfits. It takes up less space and is much easier to work with. Currently, I am using the structured bucket bag from Oak + Fort. Before that, I used the same bag for over 3 years! It was a bag I got from Poshmark, so it was preowned when I purchased it. There is really no need to have tons of handbags. If you must, two can still be minimal if you use them during different seasons. Personally, one does the trick for me right now but I am not totally against having a second one if I fancy it one day.
3. Hair Styling Tool
Currently, I only use one hair styling tool and I don’t plan on getting more. I guess you could say I own two, if you count a blow dryer, but I don’t really use it to style my hair. In the past, I owned multiple flat irons, curlers, and one of those clamping wave tools (can’t think of the exact name lol). They take up so much space and look so cluttered! I got rid of all of them and now just use a 1.25″ hair curler to create soft waves. I already have naturally straight hair so it doesn’t even make sense for me to own a straightener!
4. Winter/Rain Coat
Let me start off by saying, I currently live in California, where we don’t really get real Winters. However, it still does get cold (by my standards anyway) and I own only one winter coat. It’s a weather proof winter coat by Lululemon that I wear when it gets rainy or windy. It’s lightweight, yet very warm! It’s also a very neutral color so I can wear it anything really. I find that I don’t need multiple winter coats, especially because I am just trying to stay warm, not be fashionable. Not to mention coats are very bulky and take up a lot of closet space! Personally, I prefer stylish clothing for seasons like fall and spring. In winter I just want to be warm and in summer I just want to be cool!
5. Running/Work Out Shoes
I don’t think I’ve ever had more than one pair of workout shoes as a time, even before I became a minimalist. It’s just not necessary. Unless you are a fitness influencer, I don’t see why you would need more than one pair of workout shoes. Of course, I understand that many people like to weight train AND run/do cardio, but personally I like to weight train barefooted especially now that I workout at home. For most people, I think having only one pair of workout shoes is very do-able. I wear these cross training shoes and wear them for running and weight training.
6. Phone Case
I know many people who own multiple, cheap phone cases that break easily or that they lose often. Personally, I only own one phone case, which is an OtterBox, and I have had it for almost 3 years. I have dropped my phone on many occasions and my phone and the phone case remained in tact. I have never been interested in having a fancy, cool, trendy phone case. I just need a high quality one that will actually protect my phone. Having just one phone case fits my minimalist lifestyle perfectly.
7. Personal Credit Card
Another one of the things I only own of of is a personal credit card. I have only ever owned one personal credit card. Recently, I did get another credit card but it’s for my reselling business, so I consider that separate. If it weren’t for my business, I would only have one credit card total because I really don’t see the need to have multiple. On the other hand, having multiple credit cards could be tempting and I just don’t plan on maxing out my credit cards.
8. Lip Balm
Narrowing it down to owning only one lip balm was something I had to learn to be disciplined with. I was so used to having 2 lip balms in my purse, one in my car, and one at home in my makeup bag. I would lose them all the time, or they would melt (especially the ones left in my car). Now, I only use one lip balm at a time and usually keep it in my purse. I will only by another lip balm once I run out.
9. Hair Removal Tool
This one sounds kind of funny, but it’s true. If you think about it, most woman have multiple disposable razors that they use and go through. Like I’ve mentioned in other blog posts, I no longer even use razors!
I started epilating a year ago and have never looked back. An epilator is relatively inexpensive and can last for a very long time! It’s definitely great for saving money and a more sustainable alternative to using razors. Similar to waxing, epilating pull hair from the root so you will have smooth, hairless skin for a lot longer than if you had shaved! An epilator is the perfect thing to have for someone who wants to be a minimalist.
10. Pair of Scissors
And finally, I only own one pair of scissors. They have their place in a craft box and I never lose them anymore. I used to have several pairs of scissors, some in the craft box, others in a random junk drawer. There is no need to have more than one pair of scissors and I decluttered the rest of them!
Final Thoughts
These are some of the things I only own one of as a minimalist. Only owning one of certain things really helps keep the clutter under control. It also teaches you to be more intentional when bringing new things into your home. If for whatever reason I one day had the need to own multiple of any of these things, then I would purchase it. The question to ask is, what do I actually really need?
Sincerely,
Denise XOXO
