topic Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one... in Community Chat

MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Solar Is My Name — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 22:51:33 GMT

Has anyone been following discussions about MINIMALISM, perhaps discussions online, on instagram, on facebook, or perhaps watching the Netflix documentary on Minimalism?

After a month of online shopping mainly for toys, but only for a few things for myself, I am happy to report that I cancelled that second pair of slippers on Amazon that I did not need! (I know that's a small thing, but I have had the tendency that if I find a product that I like then I think I have to buy it again right away--as if I will never again "find" another one that will please me as well! )

I TAKE A SURVEY OF MY CLOTHING ITEMS AND KITCHEN ITEMS AND RESIST THE ALLURE OF BUYING MORE ITEMS IN THE SAME CATEGORY WHEN I HAVE *ENOUGH* already.

SOOO, what is your experience of starting to allow* minimalism* have at least SOME influence on your shopping habits?

Solar1

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

catwhisperer — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 22:59:42 GMT

I try to use what I have on hand, but when I see my favorite/frequently used products on sale, I can't seem to resist buying.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

blackhole99 — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 23:00:47 GMT

I certainly have more stuff than I will ever use and only now am mindful of that fact. I'm trying my best to not bring any more stuff into my home without letting something go. I doubt if I will ever get to be a minimalist.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

this is my nic — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 23:05:56 GMT

Although this has nothing to do with making purchases, DH and I are considering having a very minimal Christmas tree this year. The tree, a faux, went up a few days ago and it's pre-lit, so we've been having the lights on at night, but haven't gotten around to decorating it. I've been thinking it's lovely as is, and today, DH commented that maybe we should leave it undecorated. He said he likes the way it looks with just lights. Unfortunately, during the day it looks kind of sad and I have a collection of beautiful ornaments that I enjoy seeing every year. Has anyone ever not decorated their main Christmas tree? I have two Norfolk pines in the sunroom that have lights only.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

AuntG — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 23:38:18 GMT

@this is my nic at night a tree looks great with just lights, but I think you might want to put on some of the beautiful ornaments you already have.

As far as minimalism, I will practice mindful spending for at least three months starting in January. I was looking at all the gifts from last year I still haven't used yet (slippers, Dooney handbag, wallet, Philosophy....). To think I was looking for face cream the other day, when I have some in an unopened kit I was given last year.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

LoveMyBaby — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 00:03:13 GMT

@Solar Is My Name wrote:
Has anyone been following discussions about MINIMALISM, perhaps discussions online, on instagram, on facebook, or perhaps watching the Netflix documentary on Minimalism?

After a month of online shopping mainly for toys, but only for a few things for myself, I am happy to report that I cancelled that second pair of slippers on Amazon that I did not need! (I know that's a small thing, but I have had the tendency that if I find a product that I like then I think I have to buy it again right away--as if I will never again "find" another one that will please me as well! )

I TAKE A SURVEY OF MY CLOTHING ITEMS AND KITCHEN ITEMS AND RESIST THE ALLURE OF BUYING MORE ITEMS IN THE SAME CATEGORY WHEN I HAVE *ENOUGH* already.

SOOO, what is your experience of starting to allow* minimalism* have at least SOME influence on your shopping habits?

Solar1

Yes, trying - really trying to stop the impulse spending. The last two trips grocery shopping, I made a list and stuck to it. Didn't 'browse' which is my downfall. I was mission focused. Same with two gift shopping trips. Stuck to the plan and it felt good. My dh shops like that all the time. I used to say, how can you not grab a goodie or snack - his answer was always " it wasnt on your list".

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Azcowgirl — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 00:37:56 GMT

Yesterday I was standing over my two bins full of table top size trees and SMH and thinking why is it, every year I do just what I said I wouldn’t do.....buy another style of tree, in multiples ! I fall in love with whatever the new version is for this year, and think I need another for over here, another for over there. So, now I have way too many. 🤔😜

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Foxxee — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 01:32:15 GMT

I guess minimalist depends on one's definition, how large a house, how much storage, and how large the closets.

It's easier to be minimalist in a large house, but it's been said size doesn't matter, some women will eventually fill it up until the walls are bulging. Move to a larger house and they'll fill that one up, too. Lol.

For me, minimalist in home decor is few pieces of furniture and accessories in the room with lots of space around them. For clothing, a few pieces worn frequently.

I'm not a minimalist or a clutterist.

So, I have more furniture, accessories and clothing than a minimalist, but I like cozy, my favorite things around me...enough clothing to change often.

So, I'm somewhere between minimalist and clutterist and usually give something away for everything I buy.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

SeaMaiden — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 01:49:38 GMT

I have a fear of running out. I doubt I will ever be a minimalist.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

GenXmuse — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 02:18:51 GMT

I think for me realizing I only have one body that I dress once every day. I don't need a huge surplus of clothing. Same with makeup which I don't wear every day anyway.

As far as my home, clutter stresses me out. I like a clean look without stuff on every countertop and surface.

The number one thing that helped was changing my circumstances that drove me to overbuy, namely, dissatisfaction and sadness.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

queendiva — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 03:27:34 GMT

DS and his GF are minimalists. She wears a capsule wardrobe of neutrals and now will be working from home nearly 100%. Other DS: I told him he and DDIL had an insane number of clothes which they did not have room to adequately store. They got new (to them) bedroom furniture. They listened and I took at least a half dozen large trash bags full of their cast offs to a school clothes recycling fundraiser.

I am trying to be more mindful of shopping. I have done very well this year with not buying beauty products unless I am on my last one of an item. My stash used to be ridiculous- all those little lotions and potions. when I moved I gave it all to my friend. I am doing better with clothes & shoes. Better, with room for improvement. Household is under control and purging will begin again in January.

I always allow myself to go a little crazy in December and January, when prices on many items are as low as they will be all year. I need to cut back further on the amount of food I buy- too much as it's just me here. I admit to having a long-term, unnatural attraction to handbags, with Dooneys being a favorite.

Minimalism means something different to everyone..

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

golding76 — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 03:37:34 GMT

When I think of how much I own of individual categories of things (clothes, jewelry, handbags, coats and jackets, etc.), I feel somewhat sick to my stomach. I am not exaggerating.

Suddenly, I don't want anything much anymore.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

catwhisperer — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 03:42:07 GMT

I don't like clutter and am a clean/neat freak. I believe in just keeping only what I really need. My DH is recently deceased and the only furniture I have is two 20 yr.old recliners that my cats have taken over. I could get a couch, but the cats would just destroy it, so why bother. I just make do with what I have and that is fine with me.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

dex — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 03:46:05 GMT

I am not stocking up on anything.I buy what I need when I need it.I am lucky to be just five minute from three grocery stores so I don’t have to have food in my fridge going bad when I can’t get to it.I am not buying much clothing as I don’t get to the mall and my online shopping has not been successful.I don’t need kitchen things but will replace items that break or wear out only if it is a item I use often.

I am spending more time at the gym,visiting,cooking or online instead of shopping.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Shanus — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:09:30 GMT

I never liked clutter and am quite organized. I love the feeling I get in a hotel when the surfaces only have what you absolutely need. I find it restful, peaceful. When I started doing that in my bathroom, I put skincare in smaller jars so it all fit my medicine cabinet and off the counter. On my vanity, brushes, liners that don't do well laying in a drawer are in glass mugs organized by face brushes, eye brushes and pencils in separate mugs. I put my makeup away in top drawer. I cleared off all surfaces in the bedroom except a box of Kleenex, notepad/pen next to phone and we each have a clock. That's it. Just like in a hotel.

Next up is the kitchen and family room (aka sunroom). I started a few weeks ago. Lots of stuff to go through.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Porcelain — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:15:05 GMT

I can't stand having a bunch of junk around that never gets used. Wasting space bugs me a lot. So that part of minimalism appeals to me. But I like having backups of the items I consider important. And I like variety and flexibility. So being too strict about limiting numbers of things doesn't appeal either.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Porcelain — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:31:43 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
I never liked clutter and am quite organized. I love the feeling I get in a hotel when the surfaces only have what you absolutely need. I find it restful, peaceful. When I started doing that in my bathroom, I put skincare in smaller jars so it all fit my medicine cabinet and off the counter. On my vanity, brushes, liners that don't do well laying in a drawer are in glass mugs organized by face brushes, eye brushes and pencils in separate mugs. I put my makeup away in top drawer. I cleared off all surfaces in the bedroom except a box of Kleenex, notepad/pen next to phone and we each have a clock. That's it. Just like in a hotel.

Next up is the kitchen and family room (aka sunroom). I started a few weeks ago. Lots of stuff to go through.

I like how restful the bedroom part of hotel rooms feel, but I don't love the empty bathroom area. The experience feels sort of like camping out because I can't possibly take all my favorite skincare and makeup with me on trips, so I have to make do with whatever I decided to pack. It's very slightly anxiety inducing. And then, since there is usually no place to put everything away, all my stuff has to just sit there on the counter. And that looks way worse than my nice organized setup at home.

Clean clear surfaces are really nice, though. Totally agree on that.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Shanus — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:47:55 GMT

My DIL was complaining about not enough room on her bathroom counter for all her "stuff". We went to her Dollar Store and purchased 3 glass, cake stands with pedestals. With glue for china, we glued them together making a 3 level stand. She now has room for jars and makeup brushes on all levels. You can also find these stands at yard sales.

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Shanus — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:52:27 GMT

My new motto is "If I need to purchase more containers or bins to store stuff, I have too much stuff".

Re: MINIMALISM. If you already have one...

Porcelain — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 16:56:05 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
My DIL was complaining about not enough room on her bathroom counter for all her "stuff". We went to her Dollar Store and purchased 3 glass, cake stands with pedestals. With glue for china, we glued them together making a 3 level stand. She now has room for jars and makeup brushes on all levels. You can also find these stands at yard sales.

I got a giant white spice rack that is meant to hang on a pantry door. Put it on the inside of my bathroom door. I have all of my skincare and haircare in there on different levels, all in order of application and easy to access and nothing on the countertop. Plenty of room for occasional use items and extras on their own levels, so I don't have to be too minimalist about it. It does require regular pruning of non used items, though, like any system.

The cake tiers sound nice looking too.