Minimalism is all about living with less and focusing on what truly matters. Getting rid of excess is only half of the equation. Minimalists never buy items that ruin their clutter free surroundings. Preventing junk from building back up is a constant internal battle.
Evidently the elimination of junk has a substantial positive effect on your mental health. The extremely short lived dopamine release in your brain from making a purchase compared to the stress reduction of minimalism should be an obvious choice.
A decluttered physical space allows for a calm and clear mind. In order to prevent back peddling on your minimalist journey we’ve compiled a list of items to avoid purchasing. Save your money and your sanity by skipping these things minimalists never buy.
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Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is a term used to describe inexpensive clothing that is produced quickly to respond to the most recent trends. Minimalists typically avoid fast fashion because opting for high-quality, timeless pieces that will last for years.
Sustainability is a very common albeit not essential element of minimalism. Creating a wardrobe filled with mix and match core pieces especially for office wear is an entire industry.
Most minimalists at the present time subscribe to the capsule wardrobe concept. Me on the other hand, I call my style ‘Romper Life.’ I wear almost exclusively rompers in my daily life.
Impulse Buys
Becoming a minimalist changes the feelings surrounding making purchases. The anticipation and thrill that releases dopamine during the buying process is short circuited.
Instead, minimalists begin to view new items as stress triggers that will cause them a long term burden. According to Jerry Seinfeld, “All things on Earth only exist in different stages of becoming garbage.”
Ideally, minimalists never buy impulse items because they understand the impact it has on their mental and financial well-being. They take the time to consider their purchases and only buy what they truly need.
Trendy Home Decor
Just like with fashion, minimalists never buy trendy home decor. They prefer to stick to classic, timeless pieces that will stand the test of time. To clarify, this does not mean their walls are blank or they have no decor at all.
Instead of buying something that will be out of style in a few months, they invest in pieces that they truly love and will enjoy for years to come. Family photographs or art made by their children are the most common decorations I see adorning the walls of a minimalists home.
Subscription Services
Minimalists generally avoid subscription services that send a random mixed collection of items they didn’t choose themselves. The classic makeup, workout gear, and candles are most definitely not in the minimalist friendly zone.
These days subscription services have ventured into food, science projects, and rentable clothing so there are some subscription services minimalists would find that fit their principles. Being aware of these nuances is important because otherwise generalizations can be made which are inaccurate.
One Time Use
It’s rare that a minimalist will turn a blind eye to the environmental impact of their purchases. Buying disposable or one time use items is not usually in keeping with minimalist principles.
If a minimalist needs a dress for a one night fancy fundraiser they might tap into their community to borrow a dress or use a rental service. A minimalist doesn’t need every tool under the sun, because someone who lives on their block is bound to have one they can use for an afternoon. If a piece of paper needs to be laminated they will go to FedEx or ask a friend to take it to their office and do it on the sly.
The power of community allows minimalists to avoid filling their space with one time use items. There is no shame in borrowing an item and returning the item once it serves it’s purpose. I use to think of this just in terms of cost, the $15 hammer was easier to just buy than borrow. But the, forever you have a hammer hanging around your house.
Status Symbols
Minimalists never buy things to show off their wealth. One of the central themes of minimalism is to create more room for what brings a person joy. Buying an item simply to be perceived a certain way by onlookers is not going to bring lasting happiness.
Spending money for external validation in general is not a way that minimalists make buying decisions. Getting items that are useful is far more important to a minimalist than being able to show off.
Things Minimalists Never Buy
By avoiding these common items, minimalists not only save money but also create a more peaceful, organized and simple life. Remember, minimalism is not about deprivation, it’s about creating a life that’s truly rich and meaningful.
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend watching the Jerry Seinfeld video linked above. His joke set about our homes being garbage processing centers is so on point for this conversation.
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