Lessons Learned From Minimalism: Living Minimally

When we decided to move to a minimalist lifestyle, we never even considered we’d have lessons learned from minimalism. We were just getting the hang of living more intentionally, with less stuff.

Now, almost a decade later, we are reflecting on the important life lessons from having less things, making decluttering a habit, and intentional living being the goal each and every day.

Our Lessons Learned From Minimalism

We most definitely don’t consider this a “how to” or a way to tell you how to move to minimalism. However, now that we are on the other side of years under our belts of living the minimalist lifestyle, we think it would be helpful to know what we have learned along the way.

Why Minimalism Became a Choice

We used to think we needed all the things—more clothes, more furniture, more gadgets. But over time, it started to feel like more was just… too much.

Our space was cluttered, our time was spread thin, and we realized that all this stuff wasn’t really adding anything to our lives. In fact, it overwhelmed us more than it helped.

The Wake-Up Call

There wasn’t just one moment, but rather a series of little moments that made us realize something had to change.

It was the culmination of having poor physical health, mental health, and a deep need to purge to think that things were going to be better.

We had extreme burnout and were working 24/7 to have all of the stuff that we had. That’s when we started to question: “What are we really doing all this for?”

The Shift in Values

We started to think about what really mattered to us. As we took a step back, we realized that it wasn’t about rejecting things—it was about prioritizing what truly brought value to our lives.

Minimalism wasn’t just about having less; it was about having more of what we wanted and less of what was weighing us down.

The Initial Struggles (And How You Overcame Them)

When we first decided to embrace minimalism, we were excited but also a little overwhelmed by the reality of it all. Having fewer things sounded freeing, but actually doing it was another story.

The first struggle? Letting go of the thoughts that we needed to keep things for “just in case.”

Sentimental Items

The hardest part for us was definitely saying goodbye to things that held sentimental value. We had boxes of keepsakes, mementos, and gifts that had memories attached to them, like our travels.

Letting go of those felt like we were letting go of parts of ourselves. It wasn’t just about “stuff”; it was about memories, history, and even emotions tied to those items.

Slowly, we started to ask ourselves, “Do we need to keep this to remember it?” That question helped us release much of our guilt about parting with those things.

“Wasting Money”

Another struggle was the guilt of getting rid of things we’d spent money on. It felt wasteful at first like we were throwing away our hard-earned cash.

There were items that had cost a decent amount, but we realized that keeping them out of guilt wasn’t serving anyone. In fact, it was just adding clutter to our lives—physically and mentally.

Eventually, we started focusing on how freeing it was to let go of things we didn’t truly need. Once we stopped holding on to things simply because of their price tags, we started feeling lighter and more in control of our decisions.

It was about reclaiming our space—and our mindset. Bonus, we sold most of the stuff so we made a chuck of change before downsizing.

Simplifying Our Space (And Our Minds)

When we first started on the minimalist journey, we thought simplifying our space was about getting rid of the physical stuff—clothes, gadgets, decor, furniture—but we quickly realized that simplifying wasn’t just about the things in our home.

It was about creating an environment that allowed us to feel more peaceful, focused, and aligned with what mattered to us. And when we made space physically, we realized it made room mentally, too.

Creating Mental Clarity Through Simple Routines

Once our space started feeling clearer, we noticed something else: it was easier to think.

Our mental clutter was also starting to dissipate. We realized that simplifying our routines—starting with small daily actions—was another step toward a clearer mind.

We stopped overcomplicating things by trying to fill our days with endless tasks and obligations. Instead, we focused on small routines that aligned with how we wanted to feel.

Simple things like waking up early to enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee, doing a quick meditation in the morning, or making time for a walk outside allowed us to start each day with a calm mind.

We made sure to prioritize moments of stillness and space to think, without the pressure of “doing more.”

Living More Intentionally

One of the biggest changes we made was focusing on what truly adds meaning to our lives. Instead of constantly striving for “more”—more possessions, more activities, more achievements—we started asking ourselves, “What really matters?”

We began intentionally choosing the things, people, and experiences that brought us the most fulfillment. We let go of what (and who) didn’t serve us and made space for what aligned with our values and long-term goals.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but it became clear that when we stopped chasing after the next shiny thing, we felt more fulfilled. We finally understood that happiness didn’t come from accumulation but connection, experiences, and purpose.

The Joy of Not Being Tied to Stuff

We used to think that having more stuff meant having more options, more comfort, and more happiness. But the more things we accumulated, the more we realized that the opposite was true. The weight of stuff—the clutter, the maintenance, the decision-making—started to feel like a burden. And that’s when we started to truly appreciate the joy that comes with not being tied to things.

The Freedom of Less

At first, it was a little scary. We had spent years collecting things, believing they were necessary to create the life we wanted. But when we started letting go of the excess, we quickly realized how freeing it was.

With each item we parted with, we felt lighter—physically and mentally. We no longer had to worry about where to put things, how to maintain them, keep them clean, or whether they were still “worth” keeping.

We were no longer tied to a never-ending cycle of buying, organizing, and managing stuff.

A Life Not Defined by Possessions

Letting go of the idea that our worth was tied to our things was incredibly freeing. We realized that who we were wasn’t defined by what we owned, and that was a huge shift in perspective.

Let’s be clear: we realize that this is out of the norm, but we don’t have that fear of judgment about it.

We started to feel more at peace, knowing that we didn’t need to keep up with trends or accumulate stuff to feel good about ourselves. The things we owned didn’t define us—we defined our lives.

How Minimalism Affects Your Decision-Making

We didn’t expect it to impact every aspect of how we approached decisions. But, oh, did it!?

It turns out that minimalism doesn’t just affect your physical space; it also shifts the way you think, prioritize, and make choices in every area of your life.

And honestly, the more we embraced minimalism, the easier and clearer our decision-making became.

Clarity and Focus

One of the first things we noticed when we began living more minimally was how much easier it became to make decisions.

With fewer possessions and distractions, our minds weren’t bogged down by the weight of “stuff.” This cleared up mental space and allowed us to focus more on what truly mattered.

Fewer Choices, Less Stress

It might sound counterintuitive, but having fewer options actually makes decision-making easier. When we had a lot of things, the number of choices we faced daily—whether it was picking out clothes, choosing what to eat, or even deciding on weekend plans—was exhausting.

The sheer volume of options caused stress, and we often spent time trying to make the “perfect” decision.

With fewer items in our closet, for example, getting dressed became faster and less stressful. The same went for meals—we learned to embrace simplicity in what we ate, cutting down on decision fatigue and embracing the freedom of just choosing without overthinking.

We saved money and became physically healthier as we made better choices.

Practical Tips for Starting a Minimalist Lifestyle

When we first decided to embrace minimalism, we honestly didn’t know where to begin.

We began reading as many books on minimalism as we could. The idea of letting go of stuff, simplifying our lives, and focusing on what truly mattered became more and more appealing.

If you’re considering starting your own minimalist journey, it’s normal to feel a bit lost at first. But don’t worry! We’ve gathered some practical tips that helped us along the way, and we’ve linked to some great resources to help you dive deeper.

• Dive into our Minimalism Archives
• Try our FREE 30-Day Decluttering Challenge
• Take a bigger step, and grab our Declutter 365– Declutter Everything in a Year.
• Learn How to Say No
• Set and keep Boundaries
• Learn more about Slow Living

The Ongoing Process: Minimalism Isn’t a Finish Line

One of the most surprising things we’ve learned on our minimalist journey is that it’s never really “done.”

When we first started decluttering and simplifying our space, we thought there would be a moment when we could sit back, look around, and say, “Okay, we’ve done it. We’ve arrived.” But here’s the truth: minimalism is more of a process, not a destination. It’s an ongoing journey that constantly evolves with us.

Here are some things you should know:

• It’s not about perfection.
• Re-evaluate and declutter regularly.
• Minimalism isn’t just about the physical stuff.
• Minimalism is about freedom, not having less.
• Continually practice gratitude.

Embracing the Journey, Not the Destination

At the end of the day, minimalism isn’t a one-time project with a neat, tidy finish. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and a practice that evolves as we do.

There’s no “perfect” minimalism—just a continual process of figuring out what truly matters to us and letting go of the excess.

It’s about freedom—freedom from clutter, freedom from the pressure to accumulate more, and freedom to focus on the things that bring us joy and fulfillment. It’s not about getting rid of everything but about being intentional with what we keep and what we choose to invite into our lives. Minimalism is about making space—for our time, our energy, our relationships, and our passions.

So, if you’re just starting out on this journey, or if you’ve been practicing minimalism for years, remember that it’s okay to be a work in progress. The beauty of minimalism is that it’s flexible, personal, and can shift with you through different stages of life.

Minimalism is a journey of constant discovery, growth, and simplification.

Keep taking those small steps, and embrace the freedom of living more intentionally. Your minimalist journey is yours to shape, and there’s no wrong way to walk it.

We are all learning lessons along the way. That’s what life is about.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions