The easy rule to live a successful minimalist life

19 Oct, 2023

Yes, I truly believe that we need just one simple rule to live a successful minimalist life. 

Yes really. I genuinely stand by this simple little minimalism rule. And by its power and strength to keep our clutterful tendencies in check. It honestly works for me. And I truly believe that it can for you too.

So, once we have gone through all the stuff and have decluttered our possessions (and actually, even if we haven’t done any massive purges but just feel a desire to live a more simplified and less physically cumbersome existence) this one simple rule to live a successful minimalist life has been paramount to lessening my load, and maintaining the curated possessions that I have.

So, if it’s so great Lyndsay, out with it! 🙂 Ok

So, the big, beautiful rule is:

…to not buy anything new if you have something that already fits the bill.

That’s it. It sounds easy and maybe kind of basic, but there is actually a lot more to it than might meet the eye (or the ear I suppose) when we have a closer look. So let’s do just that and have a look at this rule in action in the most common spending realms that we generally come across most often.

From food staples, to t-shirts, sweaters, nicknacks, books, video games or hairspray, the rule works the same. 

If you’ve got something that works, or that hasn’t been used yet, don’t get another until you don’t have it…

So before you buy anything, ask yourself if you already have a version of it that is functional, or that you haven’t used yet. And the thing about it is, if the answer to that question is yes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get the shiny (or matte) new thing in question. It just means that you have to deal with those things first. Which also means, you have to know about those things. And that you have some things to figure out before you make any decision to do some buying.

Let’s get deeper in a few different possession categories where this rule is an absolute gem (if I do say so myself lol)…

Food

Foodstuff is a good little ecosystem to get a feel for your ‘minimalism health’ and to get a good overview of how your spending and minimalism mentalities are holding up, or developing. Because pantries and fridges are places that we are able to hide from others and from ourselves it’s easy to lose site of them. So it’s important to know what you have, find ways to use it, and to empty out extra stuff that you have no idea is existing in your cupboard if we’re going to use this rule effectively. But you have to be honest with yourself regarding your preferences (and needs). Or things can get out of hand. Quickly.

Let’s think about cans of soup…

Suppose you have 7 cans of soup at home, but you’re out shopping and have happened to find one that looks pretty nice at the grocery store. By the rules, if you decide to donate the ones you actually have at home to a food bank because you’re just sick of them, then it is a perfectly fine decision to pick up a few. But, perhaps you’ll decide it’s more logical to eat the ones you have first… It puts the logic and the decision in front of you.

Regardless of your decision, once you’ve made those choices and dealt with your inventory, there is no reason not to get yourself a can or two of the new stuff (or a respectable amount that you’ll use before your next grocery shop).

So, not only is it important to only get things as you need them, but also in order for this to be possible, you have to know what you have! As long as we deal with what we have, we’re good. So the even cooler thing about this little rule, is that it keeps us connected to, and checking in with what we actually have, actually use and actually do (or don’t) need.

Living supplies/personal consumables

In this category comes all of our bathroom products, makeup, creams, and soaps, cleaning supplies, candles, wipes, all the stuff that we use up and need more of (food has been dealt with above though so we’ll leave it out). This can be an easy category to want to impulse on when we’re out at the shops. Oh dear, that cream looks nice, smells like heaven…

So it is another great realm to be very clear on what we have for inventory. If it is an obsession (see below) as well we will have to be extremely diligent here. Suppose hand creams are your weakness, be very aware of how much you have. And be aware of what is too much. If you’re aware that you have 5 different types of hand cream waiting to be use, don’t tempt yourself. Don’t go to that shop, or that website until you are closer to zero as far as this item is concerned…

Current (or longstanding) objects of obsession

This is the one that is the most different for everyone. But we probably know what it is without too much thought. For me presently, my objects of obsession would be plants, pants, and books for my kobo. This may be the one for all of us that can be easiest for us to lose control of, which is why it is very good to keep up with our ever changing mental trends and desires so as to keep ourselves in check. I am almost certain that 4 pairs of pants for myself cannot be justified. So I’m keeping watch on myself for when I find a pair and my illogical self makes some good suggestions as to why I need them.

What is your extravagance? What’s the spot that you really have to remind yourself that you’re not out of, or in dire need of yet?

Once you know where your temptation lives, it’s best to have a plan to stick to.

As far as dealing with books for my Kobo I now have a hard fast rule that I can’t get one until I’m done with what I’m presently reading. So I put every book that I want on my wishlist and go back to the one I’m reading presently. When I am done what I’m reading, I can choose a new one.

I think the most important thing in the world of obsessions is to decide for yourself what an appropriate amount of each particular temptation item to have is for you. And I also think we make things easier on ourselves if we just create a clear rule…

Making the rule clear

When our own rule regarding our purchases is more simple, when something comes up it’s easier to deal with it. Suppose you come to yourself in your homegoods store of choice, (imagine your own 5 year old pre-tantrum voice at a toy store as you read it.) “I found a cutting board that I really like… It will suit the kitchen so much better than the plastic one that I’ve been grueling through for the last 6 months.”

And then ‘logic you’ can say back to yourself with authority,

“Is the cutting board that you have now garbage? If you’re going to throw it out or donate it, there is no reason you shouldn’t get it if you have the funds to do so, and if you don’t feel it’s best to get more use from what you already have.”

Or perhaps you’re out at your bookstore of preference… “I found a book that I’ve wanted for like years.” And then ‘logic you’ says,

“What about the book you’re reading now? How about when you finish that one, we’ll come back here and you can buy the one you’ve wanted for sooo long.”

It might just be me, but I honestly like talking to the illogical and sometimes immature version of myself who comes out when she sees things that are pretty like she is that 5 year old (who didn’t get her nap)…

I’m respectful, but also not hiding the fact that I do know a bit more than she does. She generally reacts well to my authority lol.

So, all we have to do is teach ourselves that if we want something, we’re going to have to use up what we have, or get rid of the old stuff. Easy peasy.

Conclusion on our rule to live a successful minimalist life

It’s easy to get further and further away, and more disconnected from our possessions. And that is when we might be tempted to start to just buy for the sake of buying. That is also when we can really get lost in our things. When our desire for possessions takes over our desire for experiences in life things can get out of our control quickly. It’s quite unsettling not to know what things we have, and the purchases are an instant dopamine hit to an uncomfortable situation of uncertainty. So it’s tempting. And oh what a terrible and vicious circle.

So give it a try my friend. Get to know what you have now, come up with creative ways to use your consumables and things that you know are perfectly fine for you, and then if you have the money and space, why not treat yourself to something new. With this logic, you may also end up being more mindful about the next purchase that you make.

Thank you so much for listening to my thoughts and being part of our little group,

Here is a link to a recent article of mine you might enjoy,

5 minimalism levels: the colossal purge & beyond

And if you’re so inclined, check out my most recent video on my brand new YouTube channel where I post on Thursdays as well:

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Lyndsay