It's a lifestyle choice gaining popularity as people seek simplicity, focus on what truly matters, and reduce clutter in their lives, both physically and mentally.
While the minimalism trend was born in the 1960s, it seemed to have been overshadowed by flashy trends throughout the decades. I didn't catch wind of it until the pandemic, when skincare took centre stage in the beauty industry, and in the lifestyle world, the Marie Kondo method was all the rage. I remember what made me hop into the trend: the dire need for a less anxious mind. I thought then, which I still believe now, that the more clutter I have, the more busy my mind constantly gets. The pandemic did help a lot and brought a real focus to the very necessities in my life.
Just so you know, I am not a full-blown minimalist. My walls and furniture are not all the same colour. I also don't have less than 30 pieces of furniture in my life. In this post, I will tell you a bit about how I integrated this trend into my life and how it has changed it for the better.
More simple skincare routine
I was previously roped into the 10-step skincare routine many, many years ago. I would spend so much time and money on what influencers said were must-haves. My skin did not like it, but I pushed through because I thought it was just the purging or the "getting used to" stage. What I found was that not only was it very resource-consuming, it was, more importantly, irritating to my skin.
Things changed when I discovered Dr. Dray, who advocates for minimalistic skincare. She's a board-certified dermatologist who talks about ingredients in skincare products so her viewers can make a more informed decision on what to buy. Having a minimalist skincare routine allowed me to really think through what my skin needs and to address those needs using products that are scientifically proven to help with the issues. For six or seven years now, I have only added two essential steps to my routine.
Minimalistic clothing
Another trend to branch out of minimalism is minimalistic clothing, aka quiet luxury, old money, clean girl, or whatever name they came up with. In my younger (cries) days, I wore a lot of colours and patterns. As I transitioned to working from home, I got rid of most of my clothes. It was at this point that I realised I had outgrown that phase of my life. This trend couldn't come at a much better time.
I switched out my clothes for a more basic and comfortable style. What I discovered with this was that it was easier for me to pick out what to wear. I didn't have to think much because almost all of the pieces I have can be worn together. I also focused more on what fits me better, especially now that I am relatively fuller than I was years ago.
Mindful consumption
Probably the most important effect that minimalism has brought into my life is mindful consumption. Because I no longer wanted so much clutter, I became very thoughtful of the things I bought. I no longer collect things I do not have space for.
For example, I love to read, and books are something I want tons of. However, I don't have the space for it. I also found that I am able to read longer if the lighting condition is at its most comfortable. With those, I made the decision to switch back to the Kindle. It has allowed me to keep the hobby without adding clutter to my life. With hobbies, I have thought very carefully about what I am truly passionate about—those I know I'll be able to and want to keep going, so I will only purchase the things that I will keep around.
Minimalism has also helped cure my FOMO for material things. It has helped me constantly question myself about whether that specific trendy item is useful in my life or just another cool thing to have, but I'll stop using it in a matter of months. The things I have now are things I really highly value because they're actually things I use.
Just another trend?
Personally, this isn't just a trend I'd get tired of shortly. I believe that with most aspects of minimalism, I have found a core. It's something that is very beneficial in my day-to-day life, and it has given me more peace. I am now able to focus on other, more important things because I have less clutter overall.
Like with all trends, this is not for everybody. For others, they might find peace in having more colours or more objects. It is important to really have a good introspection on what your character and personality are like in order to know what lifestyle you're most likely going to stick with. Having a good, authentic life pattern that is truly heartfelt will radiate so much joy in your life.
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