Minimalism. A word that probably makes you picture an all-white room with exactly one chair and a single, tastefully placed fern. But hold on—before you start throwing away all your stuff, let’s talk about what minimalism actually is. (Spoiler: You don’t have to get rid of your favorite coffee mug.)

So, What Is Minimalism?

Minimalism is about keeping the things that matter and ditching the stuff that doesn’t.

It’s not about deprivation. It’s about curation. Less “Do I have enough?” and more “Do I even want this?” (Looking at you, drawer full of tangled charger cables from 2007.)

Why Bother?

For me, it started when I spent 45 minutes looking for my car keys in a sea of—let’s be honest—junk. I found them inside an old purse I hadn’t used since the Obama administration. That was my breaking point.

Other people do it for different reasons:

• Less clutter, less stress. Ever walked into a clean room and immediately felt 10 lbs lighter? Yeah, that.
• More time. Less stuff means less cleaning, less organizing, less “Where the heck is my other shoe?” moments.
• Saves money. Turns out, when you stop impulse-buying things you don’t need, your bank account breathes a sigh of relief.
• Better for the planet. Less consumption, less waste. The Earth says thanks.

How to Start (Without Losing Your Mind)

Step 1: Find Your “Why”

Are you drowning in clutter? Trying to save money? Just want a break from the “buy more, more, MORE” cycle? Nail this down first—it’ll keep you from giving up halfway through.

Step 2: Start Small. Like, Ridiculously Small.

Don’t Marie Kondo your entire house in one weekend. That’s a fast track to burnout. Instead, pick one tiny spot. A single drawer. The scary abyss under your sink. Your sock collection (because, let’s be real, half of them are missing their pairs anyway).

Step 3: The “Do I Actually Need This?” Test

When decluttering, ask yourself:

• Have I used this in the last year? (If not, BYE.)
• Would I buy this again today? (No? Then why keep it?)
• Does it spark joy? (Yes, we’re using the Marie Kondo thing. Because it works.)

Step 4: Digital Clutter Counts Too

You know that email inbox with 3,527 unread messages? Yeah, it’s time. Also, maybe delete some of those blurry photos of your lunch from 2015.

Step 5: The “One In, One Out” Rule

Every time you bring something new into your home, get rid of one thing. Buy a new sweater? Donate an old one. (Exception: Snacks. No one should have to get rid of snacks.)

Step 6: Buy Less, Choose Better

Minimalism isn’t about owning nothing. It’s about owning better. Instead of five cheap, scratchy sweaters, get one really nice one that doesn’t make you itchy and sad.

Step 7: Cut the Commitments, Too

Minimalism isn’t just about stuff. It’s about time and energy. If you’re doing things you hate out of obligation, it’s time to start saying no. (Exception: Taxes. Apparently, you still have to do those.)

But Wait, Isn’t Minimalism Boring?

Nope. Less junk = more space for things you actually love. Like travel. Or hobbies. Or finally having time to binge-watch that show everyone keeps talking about.

Also, fun fact: The Victorians believed talking to ferns kept you from going mad. I talk to my plants just in case.

The Bottom Line

Minimalism isn’t about a perfect, Pinterest-ready home. It’s about breathing room—physically, financially, mentally. It’s about making space for what actually matters.

So, maybe start with that junk drawer. Or don’t. No pressure. Just know that life gets a whole lot lighter when you stop carrying around all the extra “stuff.”