6 Questions to Answer: Could I Become a Minimalist?
Ah minimalism… it sounds so good in theory but what does minimalism actually look like at home and how do you get there?
Amy Revell
4 March 2020
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering. I'm based in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and work with women to help them create the beautiful homes they've always dreamed of. As an author, speaker and podcaster, I love all things decluttering and embrace the freedom that minimalism brings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering.... More
Minimalism is an intentional turning away from consumerism, and answering these six questions will help you navigate your journey towards living with less stuff and clutter.
There is momentum growing around the minimalist movement and it’s exciting to be part of it. Previously, if you wanted to live a simple lifestyle, you might buy a plot of land to live on remotely and enjoy a slower pace of life.
But minimalism doesn’t mean that you have to give away everything you own, move into a caravan, start a blog and live with 26 items of clothing. These things might be part of the journey for you, but there’s no blueprint for how minimalism looks for each person.
Struggling with attaining minimalism at home? Find a professional home organiser near you on Houzz to help you achieve your decluttering dreams
Struggling with attaining minimalism at home? Find a professional home organiser near you on Houzz to help you achieve your decluttering dreams
These following questions are to get you thinking about minimalism and to consider your relationship with your possessions going forward. Minimalism is about intention and choosing to live with less. These questions will help you decide which items in your home you want to keep, and which items you’re ready to declutter.
1. Could I happily live without this item?
There are some items in your home that don’t add any value. They’re not practical, they’re not purposeful and they’re not enjoyable. Would you even miss this particular item if you decluttered it? This first question is a good one to start with, because if you can happily live without it, then it’s time to let it go.
There are some items in your home that don’t add any value. They’re not practical, they’re not purposeful and they’re not enjoyable. Would you even miss this particular item if you decluttered it? This first question is a good one to start with, because if you can happily live without it, then it’s time to let it go.
2. Do I already have something that performs this function?
This question is really about excess and duplication. Why do you need to keep four salad bowls when you never use more than two at a time?
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This question is really about excess and duplication. Why do you need to keep four salad bowls when you never use more than two at a time?
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If you’re thinking about kitchen appliances, ask yourself if you really need a blender as well as a smoothie maker. Before you purchase something new, ask yourself this question so you don’t bring home possessions that you don’t need.
3. If it broke, would I replace it?
Do you have items in your home that you only keep because you already own them? Maybe they don’t get used or aren’t really necessary, but you justify the space they take up by the mere fact that you own them.
Do you have items in your home that you only keep because you already own them? Maybe they don’t get used or aren’t really necessary, but you justify the space they take up by the mere fact that you own them.
Perhaps it’s a small tent that doesn’t fit everyone in your family, bikes that have been outgrown, vases and decorations around the house. If you wouldn’t replace it if it broke, consider that it might be time to declutter it today.
4. Does having this item make my life easier?
Your washing machine may not spark joy, but having it in your home certainly makes your life easier. Having kids’ toys with dozens of parts that get strewn all over the house might drive you crazy, so decluttering the toys will make your life easier and less stressful.
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Your washing machine may not spark joy, but having it in your home certainly makes your life easier. Having kids’ toys with dozens of parts that get strewn all over the house might drive you crazy, so decluttering the toys will make your life easier and less stressful.
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If you can’t park your car in the garage because it’s full of old furniture, decluttering that furniture will make your life easier. Like other spaces, a cluttered garage will hold you back from embracing minimalism in your life.
5. Could I borrow or hire it if I needed it?
I’m a huge fan of the ‘sharing community’ and tool libraries, where instead of having to own everything you need in life, you can share them with others in your community. If you own a lawnmower, does your neighbour really need one too? If your brother has a chainsaw, do you really need to buy one as well?
I’m a huge fan of the ‘sharing community’ and tool libraries, where instead of having to own everything you need in life, you can share them with others in your community. If you own a lawnmower, does your neighbour really need one too? If your brother has a chainsaw, do you really need to buy one as well?
An alternative to borrowing and sharing items with your friends and family is hiring items just for the time you need them. Hardware stores hire out many of the larger tools for a fraction of the price of buying them new. And the great thing is you don’t have to store them when they’re not in use!
If you love adventurous holidays, camping equipment, ski equipment or even the caravan itself might be cheaper to hire for the couple of weeks you’ll use them rather than own them all year round.
If you love adventurous holidays, camping equipment, ski equipment or even the caravan itself might be cheaper to hire for the couple of weeks you’ll use them rather than own them all year round.
6. Would it be cheaper to outsource this job rather than keep the equipment?
It’s not always cheaper to do a job yourself… sometimes for tasks that require specialised equipment, the most economical choice is to pay a professional to do the job for you (like sanding floors for instance). Minimalists understand the power of outsourcing and the burden that keeping unnecessary items in your home creates.
It’s not always cheaper to do a job yourself… sometimes for tasks that require specialised equipment, the most economical choice is to pay a professional to do the job for you (like sanding floors for instance). Minimalists understand the power of outsourcing and the burden that keeping unnecessary items in your home creates.
Next time you’re stuck deciding if you should keep or declutter an item, use these six questions to help you decide what to do. Minimalism comes in many varying degrees, so I encourage you to consider how intentionally living with less could bring joy and freedom to your life.
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I don't think I could ever do min amalgam. I'm a cluttered although I have tried very hard to keep things clear in my kitchen/diner and lounge since my Din law came in Jan. At the moment my rugs have been taken off the floor following an accident which ended in a dislocated ankle but I think come the colder weather and they'll be back. Also minimalism speaks of singular colours and I love colour splashed about
So I don't think this is for
l have a lot of stuff. The stuff l could get rid of all has emotional attachment and or memories. l intend to store and rotate, this will give me a fresh look regularly without clutter.
I’m a long term minimalist but it really kick stared again when my family of 5 moved into an apartment 7 years ago.. I had spent many years as crew on big classic yachts. That taught me early that is just doesn’t come on board in the first place. Particularly packaging. In fact my whole life lead my in the same direction. Pharmacy = an organised fridge with labels to the front Hopsitality = pigeon holes for quick filing each family member and then one for bills and a current one for all the paper that would normally clutter the kitchen bench. My kids school = a waste free lunch box (no packaging allowed school. Any others I can’t remember??