When you think of minimalism, what comes to mind? A stark, all-white room with barely any furniture? A closet with only 10 items? A house so empty it echoes?
That extreme version of minimalism might work for some, but for most of us, it’s just not realistic—or even desirable.
The truth is minimalism isn’t about owning as little as possible. Instead, it’s about making sure what you do own aligns with your values, priorities, and lifestyle. And that version of minimalism? It’s flexible, personal, and completely doable.
What Realistic Minimalism Looks Like
For me, minimalism isn’t about deprivation. It’s about intentionality. I live comfortably in a 660-square-foot apartment with my two small kids, and while we don’t own a ton of stuff, our home is far from empty.
Here’s what that looks like in my real life:
- My kids have plenty of toys—because play is important! My son is a Hot Wheels fanatic, and my daughter adores Hello Kitty.
- I indulge in my hobbies. I love journaling, crafting, and reading, and I happily keep physical books, notebooks, and art supplies.
- I even keep things “just in case”—like gift bags or cute pots I can reuse for my plants.
But we balance this with intentional choices:
- My kids and I have small wardrobes, sticking to what we actually wear.
- We don’t keep tons of extra bedding or towels—just enough to meet our needs.
- We set physical boundaries for certain items, like sentimental keepsakes.
It’s not about strict rules or counting items. It’s about making space for what matters and letting go of what doesn’t.
How to Make Minimalism Work for Your Real Life
If you’re looking for a practical, flexible way to simplify, here are a few tips to help you get started:
1. Don’t Buy Anything Unless You Know Exactly Where It Will Go
A simple rule that makes a huge difference: Before bringing anything new into your home, ask yourself:
- Where will I store this?
- How will I use it?
- Do I already have something that serves the same purpose?
This helps you break the cycle of mindless accumulation and ensures that everything you own has a place and a purpose.
2. Allow Yourself “Stuff” But Set Boundaries
Minimalism doesn’t mean you can’t have sentimental items, collections, or hobbies that require supplies. The key is setting limits.
For example, I love keeping my kids’ artwork and special cards, but I store them in small memory boxes instead of letting them pile up endlessly. When the box gets full, I go through it and decide what’s truly worth keeping.
You can do this with anything—craft supplies, books, even clothes. Setting a physical limit helps you be more selective and prevents clutter from spiralling out of control.
3. Use the Snowball Method to Declutter
If you’re struggling to let go of things, try the Snowball Method, a decluttering technique that helps you gain clarity and build confidence as you go. Here’s how it works:
- Start small with an easy decision—Pick an item you already know you don’t use or love. Maybe it’s a sweater you never wear.
- Identify the “why”—Ask yourself what’s stopping you from wearing it. Is it the colour? The fit? The fabric? Or do you simply have too many similar sweaters?
- Apply that insight to bigger decisions—If the problem is the colour, check your closet for other clothes in that shade. If it’s an issue of fit, apply the same thinking to similar items. Each decision builds confidence and helps you recognise patterns, making it easier to tackle more difficult categories.
By working through items this way, your decluttering will “snowball.” The more you understand about what you actually use and love, the easier it becomes to edit your home with intention.
RELATED POST: 5 Decluttering Methods You Haven’t Tried (That Really Work!)
Final Thoughts: Minimalism Is a Tool, Not a Rule
At the end of the day, minimalism should serve you—not the other way around. It’s not about living with as little as possible. It’s about creating space—physically, mentally, and emotionally—for what truly matters.
So, if you’ve ever felt like minimalism wasn’t for you because you don’t want to live in an empty space, I hope this post gives you permission to embrace a version of minimalism that fits your life.
Because the best kind of minimalism? The one that works for you.
Want to learn more about minimalism and how I make it work for me?
Be sure to check out:
- How I Became a Minimalist: My Story of Living with Less: Find out how I went from shopaholic to minimalist – because it did not come naturally for me!
- 6 Rules of Minimalism I’m Not Afraid to Break and Why: Minimalism is about self-discovery and creating the life you want, not following arbitrary rules on the Internet.
- A Minimalist Approach to Life: 5 Principles I Swear By: The key to minimalism isn’t actually decluttering. Instead, it’s about changing your relationship with “stuff”.
- A Helpful Guide to Minimalism With Kids: Yes, it is possible! Find out how.
