top of page
Q. Should I let it go?
 
A: Ask yourself these questions when you're about to buy something, or while you're cleaning your area to minimize the unused junk around! 

1. Do I like this item?
Yes: Go to step two
No: Donate, chuck it out, or give it to someone if this item is useful!

2. Have I used this item in the past six months? (This does not count seasonal items such as a snowboard...)
Yes: Go to step three
No: Most items that aren't used in six months are usually forgotten of, and is adding no meaning to your life currently.

3. Do I have several of these? (If they are consumables, you may want several of this item on stock in your mini home storage. It's definitely better to stock up on a sale of a certain product you constantly use than buying it when you need the item because it might be out of stock, or most likely it's not on sale when you need it!)
Yes: If it's not a consumable item, you may want to toss it out or donate it.
No: Go to Step four

4. Does this item add meaning to my life, or enhance my life at all? 
Yes: It may be a keeper! (unless you're willing to let it go or take a photo of it for memory sake)
No: If it's just sitting collecting dust or buried in a bin of no return, do yourself a favor and just let it go!

Q: How many items does a minimalist supose to have?
 
A: Minimalism isn't set to a specific number of items.  It doesn't matter if you have 50 things or 400 things. Each item has it's own uses, weight, space, and benefits to an individual. Everyone's items aren't going to be the same... There isn't a given list of items which a particular person whom is a minimalist should have.

Some Categories Include: Water, Food, Shelter, Bedding, Clothing, Hygiene, First Aid, Lighting, Tools, Transportation, Important Documents, Information, Electronics, Hobbies like Instruments, Communication, Navigation. (As well as others)

Even comparing multi-tools, I have a Leatherman, some may prefer a Gerber, some a Victorinox, and others might not have one at all. Even comparing people, some may have a child with them, some may be living alone, and others have a family...Comparing an infant to a 6 year old? Now you're comparing lemons with apples.

The most important thing to have is a goal, and that includes other things besides minimalism. Campers need a goal, students need a goal, homesteaders need a goal, preppers need a goal. If you're just do stuff 'just because' without a definite conclusion to all your hard work, you may over spend, you may get lost in what you are trying to accomplish, or you may not even enjoy your progress which you made. One may feel burned out over a given time and quit their plan since they never really thought about the end result of this project. Is this a project that is going to be complete in a week or a couple of years? You decide.

Q: To get furniture or not to get furniture... that is the question!

A: Beds? How about a ground mattress? This particular one comes from Japan called a Futon. Beds are over rated and takes up 'permanent' space where as Japan has very limited space, and a Futon is folded up and stored away giving you the ground space throughout the day. If interested in how they are a link is below. http://www.jlifeinternational.com/hous.../futon/futon_e.html

Other options would consist of platforms like camping such as an air or foam platform and / or a bed liner. http://www.rei.com/search?query=bed+liner

Chairs? Foldable metal or plastic chairs take up less space... especially compared to office chairs. I have found that the metal chairs are way more durable as well. I still use metal chairs which have been around over ten years, and two office chairs were tossed out during that time.

Tables? I make furniture with stuff like cases of 24- pack water. If you have a foldable chair... three to four high with a wood platform on the top would work, or one to two high if you're sitting on the floor.

Closet? Dresser? This can be a two part answer.
1. The easiest answer would be to ask why? In a minimalist life style, extra storage of junk you aren't ever using won't be needed. With this answer a PMpaK and a B.O.B would be enough. However, extra food and other consumables would need a place still for the mini mart. 
2. You can gather wooden boards and outline an entire room, or closet with shelves. This would allow one to store all items as compact as possible. Measure your items on the shelves to not waste space! Five Gallon buckets could be kept on boards on the floor. They also make plastic bins of a variety of sizes and cloth / plastic foldable shelves to hang up in your closet which could also be options. If storing food, make sure it's food grade plastic.

.

01

02

03

Minimalism

bottom of page