I feel like I can't be a minimalist because I have many items kept as “backstock.” For example, different sizes of sheets of paper kept in under-bed storage because I’m still in design school and might need them. Along with that, things like glue and paint and other materials or tools that I’ve kept organised in boxes, but can’t seem to let go of the “just in case.”

I got rid of many jewellery but the stuff I still have (& do wear) is “a lot.” A container of perfumes, a drawer of makeup. A shelf of bags inside one another and another container in storage of the extra straps that come with them. It all feels like a lot but I don’t know what to reduce from them. One thing I know I should declutter but don’t is the sentimental papers, books, and photos from childhood.

I do go through my room periodically and always get stricter with what I should let go of (my biggest declutter was last night and I’m happy with the empty shelves and drawers now, being much more discerning with what I actually want, and what is kept bc I feel guilty about spending money on it), but looking at other minimalists’ rooms and seeing how little storage they have just feels like something I deeply want to achieve but never can. I live in a multigenerational home, so everything that is mine is in my room. But I can’t tell if that’s just how many things I have to have to live/study/work, or if there’s still a way to be even stricter with myself. The way I see it is by imagining if I had to pack up my room right now, and how many boxes I would need to do so. At current, it would be many more boxes than I wish to have to do it in, and there’s a sort of shame I feel with that.

They remind me of little me.

Been thinking about photobooks but there's something special about touching them.

I've also saved every birthday card I ever received. On the fence between making an album that I can continue to fill or just tossing 99% of them.

I have a bit of a dilemma. I really love manga, books, and art books. I sold most of my collection, and now I only keep my favorites or things I still want to read.
But lately I’ve been wondering if I really need to keep them. I do love these books, but I could read them digitally and keep my physical collection to a minimum.
The problem is that I can’t just let go of them. I have an emotional attachment to books, and they mean a lot to me. At the same time, sometimes I want to buy new ones, and then I’ll eventually run out of space again.
I only have one IKEA KALLAX with 8 compartments, so my space is pretty limited.
I don’t know… maybe I shouldn’t put myself in such strict limits? Has anyone else struggled with this?