A couple of years ago I realized I was a minimalist without knowing it.

It happened when reading The Power of Less by Leo Babauta, a book very close to my ideology. Then I delved into the subject with other books and videos and I liked it even more.

I’m afraid that minimalism is a somewhat different concept for everyone (No, it is not having small furniture). I want to share a little about my experience, starting with my personal concept:

Minimalism is investing your time and money only in things that add value to your life

If something does not add value to your life simply do not spend time or money on it. It is a bit about learning to say NO. Quantity is somewhat irrelevant; you can spend a lot as long as it adds value to you. Do you like Funkos and does collecting them make you happy? Go ahead.

Here comes the complex part: Knowing what adds value and what is only making you spend. In my case, some things that DO NOT add value and I don’t spend much on them:

  • Clothes/accessories: Half of my closet consists of basic t-shirts and Levi’s pants (They last a lot). I spend about $150 - $250 USD a year on clothes. Also, this helps not to spend time deciding what to wear.
  • Car: The only reason to have a new car is to avoid the fear of it breaking down and wasting time in the workshop. Also in Mexico public transport is not the best, so also for comfort, but (And I hope to never change my mind), I do not plan to spend on a luxury car in my whole life.
  • Gadgets: Smartwatch, cell phone, etc., unless they increase my quality of life. Few do.
  • Parties.
  • Things to prove something, like paying for overpriced drinks in a bar or eating seafood in a luxury place when we know that the street stalls are better.

Now some things that add a lot of value and I invest more in them:

  • Moments with family and friends.
  • Health: Eating well, medical checkups, routine tests, health insurance, etc.
  • Investment (retirement), courses, things that make my work more productive.
  • Books, books, and more books.
  • When going on vacation or to a restaurant, doing/eating what I want (But I try to eat at home as much as possible).
  • Saving time or increasing comfort, like buying groceries online even if it costs a little more just to not go.

As I write this I realize that most of what does not add value to me are objects, while most of those that do add value are experiences. I would put books as a hybrid; it feels very nice to have them and it is quite an experience to read them.

Being a minimalist has some disadvantages, although I think it is worth it.

  • They will call you stingy: “Why don’t you have a better car if you can afford it?”.
  • If you don’t measure yourself you can actually become stingy.
  • Social pressure can make you feel bad, for example wanting to dress better because “Everyone is well dressed”. Unfortunately, this affects women more. Advice: DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF.

Of course, it also has advantages, otherwise I wouldn’t do it:

  • You save time and money, or rather you channel it to things that make you happy.
  • Since you have more time and money you live with less stress.
  • You live less influenced by others; minimalism goes against the system.
  • It is much easier to move, believe me, I have moved 13 times in my life.
  • You reduce the garbage you generate by reducing the things you have.

Like any ideology, this is not for everyone. For some, having more things makes them happy and that’s fine (Without excesses). If you are interested in minimalism, I recommend starting by thinking about what is important to you and what you are dedicating resources to without it adding value to you. The next time you are going to spend money or time on something think: Do I really need it? Does it add value or is it just the emotion of the moment?

To finish, a phrase I like: The happiest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who desires the least. This goes hand in hand with Stoicism, another ideology that I also follow, but that is for another topic. This is minimalism for me, I think it has improved my quality of life and I will continue doing it for a long time.