10 Signs You Might Be Becoming a Minimalist

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I ditched my microwave several months ago, and I don’t miss it. I wish I could say I got rid of it for health concerns, but the truth is I didn’t like the clutter on my counter.

My family recently downgraded our TV/cable “severely” — to the point where we can’t (gasp) pause, rewind, or record shows, and I still feel like it’s too much. I just want to get rid of the TV altogether.

I fantasize about tossing a good amount of my clothes and replacing them with fewer but better-quality items.

I could go on and on, but the point is…I think I might be becoming a minimalist.

Hopefully, I am not giving minimalism a bad name with these examples (my apologies to you real minimalists if I am), but lately, I find myself daydreaming of a simpler, less-is-more existence.

According to Becoming Minimalist,

“Minimalism as a lifestyle is a movement that seeks to pare down possessions to only the essential. Because life can be lived richer and fuller when unnecessary possessions have been removed, it is a growing trend that includes more than just young, single, 20-somethings. Many families are embracing the lifestyle as well.”

Sounds good to me.

Minimalist Reading

These articles and books explore the benefits and practical steps needed to take if embracing the path minimalism.  minimalism. If you have the slightest interest in minimalism, I suggest you take a look (or listen) to all of these.

The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
In this book, author and creator of Becoming Minimalist, Joshua Becker, uses his experience of journeying from the typically overloaded family to minimalist to help you find a more fulfilling life that’s marked by having less stuff.

21 Benefits of Owning Less — Becoming Minimalist
Joshua summarizes the benefits of having less stuff.

The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store
Cait Flanders went on a one-year shopping ban and documents her eye-opening journey in this book.

Minimalism for Anyone — Financially Blonde
Shannon interviews Cait about her no-spend challenge that led to her embracement of minimalism.

My Unbelievable Journey to Minimalism — Frugal Rules
John shares how he went from minimalism cynic to champion.

A Conversation on Living Simply — The Hippy Home
Gina reminds us that minimalism can look different for everyone.

Related Posts
•  4 Books That Will Make You Embrace Simple Living
•  The Profound Joy in Simplicity and Having Less
•  Parenting and Minimalism

Are You Becoming a Minimalist?

Now, on to the signs you might be becoming a minimalist. Take these with a grain of salt, of course.

1. You have learned or are learning to value quality over quantity
2. You choose to forgo items once seen as necessities (Microwave, Keurig Machine, etc.)
3. You recognize just how much stuff you have and find too much stuff overwhelming
4. You are frugal, debt-free, or are aiming to be debt-free
5. You know the difference between your wants and needs
6. You don’t feel the need to keep up with the Joneses
7. You are not concerned with others’ opinions of you
8. You don’t feel the need to have the latest and greatest
9. You value experience over stuff
10. You crave /value/desire SIMPLICITY in your life

I’m not sure if I’m walking down the path of becoming a minimalist quite yet or what that will look like for me. At this very moment my living room is in disarray because I am in favor of a pared-down, layout with less furniture, and hubby, well…not so much.

I’ve mastered how to get a spouse on board with the finances. It looks like I might have a similar journey ahead of me.

Do you show any of these signs? Do you think you might be becoming a minimalist? Are you one already? Share in the comments.

Related Reading: What is a Money Fast and Why Should You Do One?, 25 Reasons to Cut Up Your Credit Cards, My Debt-Free Journey – Part 1