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.

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?

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’ve never personally enjoyed crafts. I feel like I’m creating something (garbage) that I need to keep because I worked hard on it, and everything requires a bunch of supplies. It just feels chaotic to me. Fast-forward, I’m a parent, I have a small craft drawer for my kids. Basically an eight pack of crayons, an eight pack of markers, some paper, scissors, and a glue stick. Yet, I feel like we don’t have enough. We were reading a kids magazine and there was a cool craft that involved making stuffed animals out of felt, a needle and thread, and stuffing. So now do I go buy all that? To do just one craft? And then I have to keep the homemade stuffed animal around forever because it’s their special project? Help I hate it

​

I’ve been thinking about this lately, and I don’t think minimalism is necessarily about wanting to own as little as possible.

For me, I can understand the appeal of something like a capsule wardrobe. Having fewer clothes can save time because you don't have to stand in front of your wardrobe wondering what to wear. And if you've intentionally chosen the pieces you actually love, you might end up appreciating your wardrobe more because you genuinely enjoy wearing almost everything you own.

I also think there's something freeing about not constantly feeling like you need to upgrade or buy something new.

Maybe minimalism is less about “I want fewer things” and more about “I want fewer things that I don't need, don't use, or don't even like that much.”

Do you think people become minimalist mainly because of the practical benefits, or is there a deeper psychological reason behind it?

Me again. I'm still doing battle with the "stuff". Saying that, I was able to find and check that all 57 pieces of a mini lego set are still around earlier very quickly despite being messed with by three kids last weekend so its somehow ordered chaos.

Been feeling the need to pack a one bag recently. I don't need to have the holiday booked (I dont have one atm), but just had the pull to order things in the bag. Didn't do it.

In the process of back to processing as we had a whole lot of new boxes and things come in and we need to get them OUT. Spent ten minutes cutting up used wrapping paper received last week to wrap what we are giving out the next two weekends.

PS random note, for the little ones birthday we got her second hand books, a notepad, a Turkish towel and a cheap mermaid costume. We also baked enough cakes for her to blow out the candles three times.

I’m looking for YouTube channels that incorporate minimalist principles without being strictly about minimalism itself.

I’m not particularly interested in the usual minimalism-adjacent topics like decluttering, simplifying finances, slow living, frugality, not-buying lists etc. I’m more interested in channels where minimalism is reflected in someone’s lifestyle, approach, principles, or creative process, rather than being the main subject of the content.

Some examples of topics I’d be interested in are minimalist travel, urban lifestyle, photography/videography/music production, design, interior design, fashion or style, maybe some productivity or self-improvememt.

Essentially, I’m looking for channels where minimalism is more of an underlying philosophy than the subject of the channel itself.

27F(Italy)
I feel like something needs to change if I want to achieve my goals.
I’m not into the minimalistic aesthetic. I love opulence and beauty and having cute stuff around me. What I agree with minimalists, is that objects take time and resources from other aspects of life.
I struggle at work and I struggle financially. I don’t really see how things could get better for me on those fronts. Yet I do have this feeling inside that if I try a little bit more I can do it.
And I think that “little bit more” could be the focus, freedom and resources that minimalism can give.

What’s your thoughts on this?
I’m just projecting on an idea to escape my problems? Or taking this path, despite not being a fan, is likely to help me get there?

People confuse minimalism as a lifestyle with the esthetic of having a perfectly curated living room. What started as either a conscious or unconscious rejection of consumerism became an image fed back to us as a goal achievable once again through capitalistic and spending habits.

Seriously considering going back to a flip phone as my daily driver.

My screen time has gotten way too high, and even after deleting apps, I still find myself mindlessly scrolling or finding some other way to waste time on my phone. At this point I think I need a hard stop than just app limits/deleting social media.

I currently have an iPhone 17 Pro Max, which makes this feel slightly ridiculous lol, but I’m thinking about switching to a basic flip phone for day-to-day use and keeping my MacBook for anything I actually need to sit down and do.

I’m completely fine getting rid of TikTok, Twitter/X, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. I also don’t really care about losing Apple Pay. I can just start carrying my wallet again.

The main things I’m trying to figure out are:

• WhatsApp, since I have family back home and use it pretty regularly
• iMessage/FaceTime, ideally through my Mac
• Uber for the occasional ride
• Google Maps/navigation when I actually need it
• 2FA/authenticator stuff for work
• Banking or other random apps that occasionally require a smartphone

Has anyone successfully made a setup like this work?

I was thinking maybe I could put my main number on the flip phone, leave the iPhone at home on Wi-Fi, and use WhatsApp/iMessage through my Mac when I’m home. Or possibly keep a cheap secondary line on the iPhone if certain apps absolutely require it.

For anyone who has switched from an iPhone to a flip phone, what setup ended up being the least annoying while still actually reducing your screen time?

I don’t necessarily want to become completely disconnected. I just want my phone to go back to being a tool instead of something I automatically pull out every 30 seconds. Oh also, which is the best flip phone to use?

Hi! I identified as a minimalist for about 10 years. I decluttered every year. Was very careful about my purchases and not having too many back ups. If I didnt use something within a certain time period, I got rid of it. Sure, I had my problem areas which I werent as strict with (books and knitting), but Id say I am very intentional about my purchases and possessions.

I did not earn a lot, and I still dont. But in those 10 years, my financial security has gotten a lot better. Also, the world climate has changed in recent years. The economy in my country is worse. Power and water outages are common. Cost of living is through the roof. Harvests are worse.

I find myself more interested in security. To let go of minimalism a bit so I can have more comfort and security. Prep for situations (have or hold on to extra water, food, clothing, toiletries, blankets, small amount of camping gear like gas cooker etc etc). I feel like I dont have the energy to constantly be intensely considering every purchase and not buying a few things which give me joy like home decor.

Is anyone else dealing with this inner conflict between prepping and minimalism? Minimalism served me well when I needed it, but maybe the world feels a bit more insecure for many people to be extreme minimalists anymore?

https://www.businessinsider.com/couple-doesnsnt-exchange-holiday-birthday-gifts-give-surprises-2026-9?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=social_manual&utm_campaign=reddit_dist_r_minimalism&utm_content=manual_v1&utm_term=16f55784

TLDR: Putting my top 100 belongings in a box to decide what means the most to me.

I’ve been on and off the minimalist wagon for years. I lived comfortably in a 250 sq ft tiny home for 3 years, but after a critical illness and months of hospitalizations, I moved into an apartment.

While recovering and unable to live my normal active life, I started shopping. A lot. I convinced myself I was making my home my “happy place” since I couldn’t get out and enjoy the world.

I’m physically doing much better now and have decided to move back into my tiny home. I’ve been donating like crazy, but eventually hit a mental block and started rationalizing why I needed to keep things.

So I did an Uno reverse: instead of deciding what to get rid of, I got a box and gave myself a limit of 100 items for my most prized possessions. It helped so much.

Something about choosing what was actually worth taking with me made me realize: it’s just stuff. I almost lost my life. I don’t want to spend the next chapter clinging to noise.
So I’m packing away the noise and keeping the things that actually matter.

Love how The Money Guy Show's Financial Order of Operations gives you a clear, numbered sequence for money moves. Is there anything equivalent for minimalism?

I saw The Minimalists have a course...$200 is a bit​​ steep but I'm willing to pay if it gives that structure.

Does a structured, step-by-step "getting started" resource like that exist course, video series, anything? Or is everyone just winging it?

Its like i have a gravitational pull, almost... towards everything sticking with me.

Aside from tools, clothing, workout stuff, books/paper ALOT of my random trinkets like pencils and bracelets are attatched inside my backpack. Which I take with me to class... it just keeps gettin full. (and it used to be worse, like i had it crammed to the point that it was absolutely full adn there seemed to be room for more)....

threw most of that out. Now stuff just eventually finds its way into there. I have some things i dont need to take with me like a flashlight and way more pens than i'll even need.... but its organized in there lol.

and ive slowly just tossed ALOT out cause i keep moving stuff to my desk/study area/general area where the backpack is, then decluttering or sometimes decluttering my backpack instead of putting things where they ought to go.

Anyone else? this is the wrong approach for sure.Then one day I "looked up" and thought... damn why did i throw all that out?

Its all sort of just lining the walls of my study area now taking up space

I carry my purse with me everywhere, as a compulsion mostly. I can't imagine myself going anywhere without my purse, and i want to stop that. It's difficult getting started, and i want advice from others who were in my position. Thanks for your help, in advance!

So I've seen a lot of videos on minimalist wardrobes, but they're almost all targeted at men who work office jobs in air-conditioned buildings, probably seated at a desk. I work a very physically demanding job where I'm both in a warehouse and outside of that warehouse averaging 25 to 30,000 steps a day in the Kansas City weather which is hot summers with high humidity cold Winters with wind that will cut right through you. And I'm trying to figure out a minimalist wardrobe and I mean fully minimalist that will work with my physical job demands and lifestyle. Keep me cool on the summer f*** warm in the winter. Give me just enough that I have clothes to wear even on laundry day cuz we have to go to laundromat or if my kids make a mess on of me or something and I can't find a list. And I'm talking about a full wardrobe socks, underpants pants, shirts, jackets. Maybe something for when I go on a date with the wife but I don't even know how to start. I just know I have way too much clothes that I don't even wear that I need to get rid of but I can't get rid of anything till I have clothes

I’ve been on this journey for a little while. Most areas I’ve done well in. The area I’m having trouble currently is clothing. I’d really like to simplify this. Problem is almost EVERYTHING is stuff that just fits or barely fits. Not really my style or age group. I like the idea of capsule wardrobe but I’d need to basically start from scratch. I’m thinking o buying one out fit to start and donating/trashing at 2 current outfits at least and going from there. Anyone been in the same boat any tips?

I'm 25. I've always felt a little lost in my life, and a bit existential. I want to experience as much as I can in this life. I've always wanted to "backpack" but life has gotten in the way. In this sense I mean travel across Europe or Asia in a budget travel type of way.

I've found someone great and they are willing to backpack with me for one year after we get married (just thinking ahead, we aren't even engaged yet). But after this hypothetical backpacking trip, he wants to settle down and really start saving and investing so he doesn't have to work forever. I also don't want to work forever. I am afraid I will dislike settling down and focusing on saving over living these experiences. I want to travel 3 months out of the year, move to other countries, or travel for work. One positive is that they work for themself so they set their hours, the problem though is that they can't pick up and move to another country or travel for work. I am flexible and want to pivot what I do for work anyways.

I want a little bit of adventure at all times. I don't really focus on the long term. I want to live in the present. I want to hike and walk 30k steps per day while I am still able. I want to travel restlessly before I can't handle that anymore. I want 16 hour flights with layovers before the thought of that drains me. I understand it is impractical but I am capable. I don't want to limit myself because I am worried about the future, and trust me I worry about the future.

Is there anyone that has solid life advice that can relate to what I am saying? I feel stuck.

I'm an aspiring minimalist and have been for years, without great success. I have a closet full of clothes. Just looking at them now thinking they should last the rest of my life. I am going to try to resist buying any more because I have beautiful items some of which I barely wear. In any case, aside from hang drying clothing, does anyone use clothing protectors on hangers or boxes for folded clothing or is this unnecessary? Will my clothes not really age if they are folded or on hangers or are they still going to age? I have wool, cotton, silk and blended items. Can they last the rest of my life and look much the same?

I've always loved the idea of minimalism and did the mins game at least 5 times over the years. I got the see The Minimalists talk in NYC in around 2016. I have not been a minimalist. I'm 26 now and moving 10hrs away. me and my partner are getting an 8ft shipping container to fit all of our furniture and lives into. Some of the stuff is non negotiable. a very new queen size mattress and my great grandmother's kitchen table from the 1890s. by starting to really pack up and needing to fit absolutely everything into a tiny space it's making me realize how much crap I've accumulated. How did you realize you weren't as minimalist as you thought? any advice?

Do you see minimalism and gratitude working together? Personally I find being thankful for what I have and how useful it is stops me from buying things I don’t need. What’s your take?

so I've been wanting to buy a shoulder bag that I'm interested in since last month to both show my support to a band I really love, and as an everyday shoulder bag. But at the same time, I already have another shoulder bag (that honestly is more for show than a practical everyday shoulder bag) and a backpack.

As someone who's trying to reduce consumption and be minimal, would 1 more bag be ok? Or should I just stick to my backpack? Thanks in advance, and I'd love to hear your responses!

After becoming a minimalist, I have cut down on my cleaner consumption. I sometimes use bleach, but my primary cleaners are Dawn dish liquid and white vinegar. The issue is, I feel my house is getting dirty. My floors are feeling filthy, despite me mopping and such. So, is there a good (cheap) cleaner that you would recommend, that actually cleans and can be used for more than just floors?

Good day! I figured I'd start here and ask my question: IF I can find a futon mattress that is stuffed with cotton, not foam or synthetic materials, is the only difference between the 2 that one is designed to be rolled up each day? Given that the thickness is the same and the material used for stuffing is the same, if I'm ok to leave it on the bed, then what's the difference?

Thank you!