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So, I love minimalism. But I also enjoy shopping. *WORLDS COLLIDE* Well, that’s what most people think anyway. But for me, I maintain a “live with less” lifestyle and still love to pop by stores.

I do this by adopting a stance I haven’t really seen or heard of anywhere else. The approach I take is one of appreciation. I like going out to different stores and almost viewing them like an art gallery. There are such lovely things that have taken time and resources to make. That is something to consider and admire. This doesn’t mean that I need to take them home.A great quote I heard the other day was “Appreciate without the need to possess.” Things can be lovely, I can enjoy them for a moment, and life can move on. I think this approach makes a little more sense from the aspect of second hand stores, because they have such a broad range of items and origins. But if you have a particular store that you love the designs in, that would make sense too! As I mentioned, I love secondhand stores, but I also love Anthropologie. Anthropologie is what I would consider a higher end store here in the states with whimsical and feminine designs. Think vintage fairytales with humor. I love going in to admire the creative energy and adorable items, but I rarely purchase. Just like visiting a museum, gallery or garden, it is enough to view, appreciate and have enriched my day with something lovely. No need to buy.

Now, depending on your tendencies, your strengths and weaknesses or where you are on your minimalist journey, this may not be a positive habit. For some people, this may lead to acquiring a lot of stuff you don’t need! If that’s you, its ok not to shop as well. You don’t have to “prove” your minimalist grit by doing something that isn’t fun or good for you. It’s great that we are all different, lets not try to make everyone the exact same.

All that to say: if you’re a minimalist, you can still enjoy shopping, just spin it as appreciation and don’t feel the need to buy. On the other hand, if you’re a minimalist and shopping is your kryptonite, then don’t! That’s ok too. We can all do this thing called minimalism very well and very different at the same time.

Thanks for visiting!

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So how do you start practicing minimalism? Well, its actually pretty simple. Maybe not easy, but simple.

1. Desire change
2. Vision/Priorities
3. Declutter
4. Maintain

Desire Change. If you are satisfied with your current schedule, organization, home life and routines, then maybe minimalism isn’t for you. Its simple, but not necessarily easy. If however, you are desiring change in one or more of these areas- read on.

Vision. There must be something that has lead you to this article and past point one. What is it? Do you feel over committed and under equipped? Do you have an image of a quiet evening in your uncluttered and peaceful home? Maybe its a week that doesn’t have you dashing from one activity or project to the next? Or perhaps its a sense of calm that you’ve gotten a taste of and want permanently. You will need a clear vision of why. Minimalism is as much about what you have as it is about what you do not. Its not easy to simplify and if you live in America, our commercialism culture will be working against you. Have a distinct image or feeling you want to instill into your surroundings. A great way to start cultivating this vision is to write down your ideal priorities in order. Jot it down on some paper, not fancy, this is just for you. This ideal may not be your current reality, but helps you to understand your goal. Ideal priorities are things you want to pour your time, money, heart or effort into. They are usually the reasons that motivate you. Remember this is the Ideal exercise and we will address reality next. Spend time on this step, it matters

Declutter. This means physical and mental decluttering. Minimalism is also about removing all the things that do not add value to your life. These “things” can be people, events, commitments, habits and yes, physical stuff. Look at your Vision and Ideal Priorities page. Now, elsewhere, mentally or on another sheet, write out your reality. Those things that are taking most of your time, money, effort or heart. How different are your Ideal and Reality? Now is the time to start cutting things out. Start with whatever seems most satisfying or has been bothering you the most. Seeing meaningful results will energize you to keep going! This could be that junk drawer that’s driving you nuts or an extra activity that you have known for a while you need to cut. Most things in America can be substituted for, borrowed, or bought again fairly inexpensively. But probably… you won’t even need it. If you’re really worried, you can put it in a box for a month or so. Just set a time limit on how long your going to let that stuff hang around without paying rent. If, by the end of a month or 3 months, you haven’t used it? Send it off, and reclaim your space and time form its possession.

Maintain. In the USA, I don’t know of any holidays that celebrate the removal of things. There are plenty of holidays that focus on giving and receiving, but none that talk about removing old, evaluating our possessions or the like. Think for a moment how many days in a year directly cause the intake of things into your home. Offhand I can think of birthdays, for me and my family, St. Patrick’s day corned beef and green memorabilia, Valentines, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, not to mention Christmas and Black Friday…all of them bring memories of purchasing. There are even normal days where I get a free bag from work, or a trinket from vacation, or … you name it.
In the UK, there is Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a holiday a few days after Christmas, set aside to removing old things to make way for the new. That’s still just one day, pitted against a year of acquiring things. That is why we have to be intentional on stemming the flow of “stuff” into our homes. But don’t be discouraged. You can do it. Think how much more you know even with just a little effort reading an article! You are smart. You can recognize uninvited things coming into you home and stop them, or decide at any point to remove them. Remember the vision you’re pursuing. Maintain.