If a sparsely furnished room washed in tones of white and grey, with not one thing out of place, is the image of minimalism that made you quietly reject it as an impossible goal, then keep reading – because minimalism is not about stripping your life and home bare. And if that image is your ideal, you are still at the right place. The picture-perfect homes that adorn the covers of magazines and flood Pinterest are by-products of minimalism, not its end goal. So how do you get there? Or if that’s not you, then what else is the minimalist dream that you should have?  

Minimalism, simply put, is about having less. But it’s not just about possessions. Minimalism also means striving for less stress, less overwhelm and less decision making. It is about pruning the excess in all areas of life – commitments, distractions, and even relationships that no longer serve – and making space for what matters. As Fumio Sasaki, author of Goodbye,Things explains, “it’s an attempt to reduce the things that aren’t essential so we can appreciate the things that really are precious to us.” And this starts with intention, by paying close attention to your life and everything in it.  

The Art of ‘Enough’ 

Enough looks different to everyone. For one person, it might be one pair of shoes. For another, five. It’s not the number that’s important, it’s the intention behind it. It all boils down to whether or not something you own adds value to your life – does it make your life easier? does it make you happier? or does it take away time, energy and focus? Be very honest with your answers. A luxury handbag might sure bring momentary happiness, but its upkeep could cause stress, guilt, and demands on your time and money, thus taking away from your happiness. Defining your ‘enough’ is where your journey to minimalism begins.  

Finding a personal version of minimalism takes time. Where and how you begin depends on your why. Perhaps your reason is purely personal – you want to get out of an overwhelming rut or you want more peace at home with your family. Or perhaps your why is larger than you – you’ve realized the environmental impact of a wasteful consumerist culture and want to make better choices for the planet. 

Whatever your reason, it’s valid. It’s yours.  

Begin by eliminating what distracts, depresses, or competes for your time and attention. Use what you already own. Pause before you buy. Ask yourself if it is a want or a need. Minimalism is a continuous process, it requires practice. And it evolves as you move on to new phases of your life or adjust to unexpected changes. What felt necessary once, might feel useless later. And that’s okay. Your priorities are allowed to change, and with it, your possessions too.  

By being intentional and conscious about what you want to welcome into your lives, you learn not to buy into the noise of the world. You begin looking at the bigger picture and valuing long term happiness and fulfilment. And you begin to slowly realise that it isn’t your stuff that matters most, but your experiences and memories. Minimalism isn’t a contest. It’s the practice of choosing what matters and letting go of what doesn’t. It’s the courage to say, “This is enough for me.”