Life as a minimalist can be hard. You have to constantly fight the urge to buy anything on impulse and be extremely mindful about what you bring inside your home.
Although you can’t fully cut back on your purchases, you will be required to stay intentional about not adding any more clutter to your home. No matter how tempted you feel looking at that pretty dress or showpiece at the store, your minimalist self will compel you to make calculations as to how these items can contribute to the clutter in your home.
Minimalism also means that you will have to work hard to stop clutter right at the door because you’re working on the principle of ‘Less Is More’.
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But despite being a minimalist, you will have to step out to buy gifts for the people who have invited you to their parties. Sooner or later, your old clothes will be worn out and you will have to buy new ones. Many items in your home will get damaged over time and will need to be replaced.
So how exactly do you make sure that you shop like a true minimalist and not buy anything that will add up to the clutter in your home? If you are looking for an answer, here’s a few ways that can help you shop with intention:
1. Research Before Buying
Don’t go around buying anything that could be a disappointment. Check online reviews and ratings and get a product trial before making a purchase, if possible. See if there are offers or discounts available on the product you want to buy. Compare the options available and aim to get the best deal.
2. Sleep On It
There are times when you find yourself passing by a store and end up spotting a dress or an appliance or anything that seems like a great addition to your home. Even if it’s something that you believe you need to buy, make sure that you sleep on your decision or wait for at least 24 hours before buying the item in question.
Sleeping on it can help ensure that you make informed decisions and don’t end up regretting it later. I always wait for at least a day to avoid making impulse purchases and it works great for my home and finances.
3. Follow The One In One Out Rule
Despite being a minimalist, you can buy new items every now and then and still keep the clutter in control. Try following the ‘one in one out’ rule which requires you to get rid of an already existing item before buying something new. So, if you wish to buy a mixer grinder, make sure that you get rid of the one that is already sitting in your home. This will help ensure that you have used up the old items properly before replacing them with new ones.
4. Ask Yourself The Right Questions
Minimalism requires you to be mindful about what you bring inside your home. You need to make informed decisions while shopping anything for your home which is why it’s very important to ask yourself the right questions. Here’s a few of these questions that you need to ask before deciding whether to buy an item or let it pass:
- Do I have space for it?
- Can I do without this item, or do I really need it?
- Will I use this item once I’ve bought it? If so, how often?
- Will this item add value to my life?
5. Make A List Before You Step Out To Shop
As a minimalist, you need to make sure that you stick to your shopping list and don’t end up buying anything that isn’t a part of it. If you think that you need to buy a pair of jeans, make sure that your list mentions it clearly. Having a list with you while stepping out to shop is a great way to remind yourself that you shouldn’t buy anything that would contribute to the clutter in your home.
6. Buy Memories Over Things
If you wish to buy something for your spouse on your next wedding anniversary, try opting for an experience rather than a gift. Take them to a game of football or a concert or a romantic dinner date and make memories that will create a bigger impact than any material possessions. While things add up to the clutter in your home, experiences bring happiness that last for a lifetime.
7. Create Space Before Buying Anything
One of the requisites of decluttering is to give every item a home of its own. If you’re planning to buy something for your kitchen or closet or bookshelf, create space for it before stepping out to buy the product. If you are unable to designate a home to the product, chances are that you don’t need it at the first place. But if you absolutely need it and can’t do without it, you will be able to create space for it either by getting rid of an old product or by rearranging the existing stuff.
8. Avoid Shopping At Stores That Don’t Align With Your Values
Many malls and stores advertise and display their products in a way that you feel tempted to buy them at any cost. They will offer you deals and offers that require you to add more products to your shopping basket to get some discount. They tend to create ads that compel you to believe that you need a certain product and can’t do without it.
Avoid going to malls and shopping centres that make you feel incomplete. Instead, choose to buy at stores that are consumer-oriented (rather than business-oriented). Stick to your budget and the list of items you need.
Now that you know the exact ways to go about shopping like a minimalist, I hope that you won’t feel anxious the next time you step out to shop. It might be hard to restrict yourself from buying certain items but you have to keep reminding yourself that it’s not worth a buy if it doesn’t add value to your life. And if you still feel stuck, don’t forget to come back and give this post a read.
Happy minimalist living!