Tag: MINIMALISM

7 Proven Benefits Of Having A Minimalist Home
There is a wide range of benefits to having a minimalist home.

Today, we’re going to go over a few things like
- what are the benefits of living with less
- Is it healthy to be a minimalist
- whether minimalists are happier
so you understand how even a small step toward minimalism can make a difference in your life.

A home should essentially be a place where we can slip away and relax. And not be welcomed into cluttered, filthy surroundings.

Our living space has a profound effect on our minds.

Cluttered spaces make you feel miserable. That said, taking minimalism to the degree of bare white walls can be unreasonable too.

Harmonizing things matters.

There are many perks of embracing simplicity in life.

Minimalism philosophy

When we say less is more. It practically means doing more with fewer things. Moreover, fewer resources.

Minimalism is about finding freedom from materialism and the complexities of life. And focusing on the purpose in life.

People want more clothes, upgraded devices, big houses, and fancy cars.

We want 10 different variants for a single kitchen tool. A large collection of shoes. A content calendar for social media posts. A long to-do list to accomplish each day.

Our days pass by and we hardly even notice.

Ever think there’s so much on our plate?!

If you ever wake up and realize, you’ll start embracing a minimalist lifestyle.

What are the benefits of living with less?

Clinging on stuff, especially sentimental items, or something you can’t get rid of because of guilt can drain your energy.

You need to toss out the surplus to zoom in on important affairs of your life.

You can focus on quality over quantity and make better choices for yourself.

You stop comparing yourself to others. No matter how big or better people live, you won’t care. You won’t fall victim to this sort of short-term happiness.

Is it healthy to be minimalist?

It is healthy to be a minimalist. Minimalism can improve your mental health in a lot of ways. And, if you make the most of your time it can promote your physical health too.

When you remove distractions you have more time for yourself. Time to read, practice self-care, exercise, meditate, and connect with yourself. You feel more confident and complete in yourself.

Also, when you free yourself from the attachment to material things you experience calmness and peace of mind.

Are minimalists happier?

Minimalists are happier because after decluttering their lives, they’re surrounded by the only things they love. That helps them tend toward what they care about more.

They are also happier because they can prioritize things and get more done.

And more importantly, minimalists are happier because they glory in a slow and simple lifestyle.

What does a minimalist home need?

Now, this is a matter of personal preference. There are no standard rules with minimalism.

You need to decide on the extremeness to want to go.

However, the minimalist home would only embrace basic functional furnishing. A minimalist home has clear flat surfaces (if you have read the previous article you know the rule of thirds) with a few pieces of decor on them.

I have written a post on how to create a minimalist home which you can refer to, to check more about what a minimalist home needs.

Let’s have a look at the advantages of minimalism.

10 PROVEN BENEFITS OF HAVING A MINIMALIST HOME

1| Increased productivity:

Clutter creates ‘visible noise’ which is toxic to your mind.

Your mind is overstimulated by the amount of stuff surrounding you. This can cause inability to focus and concentrate.

In this way, clutter leads to stress.

By eliminating all the junk from your life you minimise graphic sound and confusion in your life.

You sense control over things when your living place is uncluttered and organized. This enables you to take charge of your work and life more productively.

2| Value money and possessions:

By owning less stuff, you develop a caring approach towards the handful of belongings you have.

You become attentive to the purchases as well and prevent stuff from getting back into your home again.

Both ways are a win-win for your savings account.

3| Welcoming an unplanned company is easier:

It feels difficult to clean many things when you get that last-minute phone call from your mom or friends.

Also, sweeping/vacuuming the floor with too many toys or stuff lying around is complicated.

With minimal belongings, picking, straightening is easier.

Additionally, clear floors and surfaces give the impression of a cleaner home.

Thus, a quick round of general tidy-up should be enough to welcome a surprise visit.

4| Less cleaning and maintenance:

People do love to hoard things. But not a single soul likes to clean up their fortunes.

The less stuff to move back and forth, at the time of cleaning, the faster it gets done.

Plus, a small number of items that gather dirt and debris. So less dusting and cleaning.

A minimalist lifestyle will make you happier when it’s time to clean up the house.

Read 10 Effortless Ways To Create A Minimalist Home

5| Mornings are more peaceful:

Since you own less stuff, you designate a suitable place for all your belongings.

That way you know where each and every item is kept, helping you access things more easily on a busy day.

6| Convenient at the time of moving:

One more benefit of having a minimalist home is it makes relocating easier.

Does your job require switching locations frequently? Packing and moving are painless with minimum possessions.

Fewer items to pack, unpack, and haul in the delivery truck.

7| Better for the environment:

Why is minimalism better for the environment?

Well, the making and elimination of physical objects, affect our environment. When we use too much stuff, the demand increases, and more goods are produced.

Manufacturing goods use up lots of resources. Raw materials like wood, metals, fuels, oils, natural gas, minerals, and more, pollute the atmosphere.

Nine times out of ten, the stuff we buy is all a waste. We simply discard it (carelessly) without even thinking about the harm we do to our environment.

Minimalism is not about touching a product once to see if it sparks joy. And if not, decluttering it ruthlessly.

It is about consuming less. Wanting less. It is about creating a balance.

It is being aware of our consumption. Being intentional for the good.

By choosing items consciously, you contribute to lower consequences for the environment.

Final words:

Now, that you know the benefits of having a minimalist home, you can start creating one. I’m sure your minimalist home will make you feel restored and well-organized.

Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you so much for reading! Enjoy your minimalist home!
July 9, 2022
18 Things I Stopped Buying To Save Money

I find the number one way to save money is to stop buying items or services you absolutely don’t need.

Though this clarity can take some time, it is definitely worth considering. Since our wishlist never ceases to pile up, they put more pressure on our minds, clutter our houses, and burn holes in our pockets. Minimalism has been a boon for my personal finances and consumption levels. I’m sure it will help you too!

Today, I am listing out 18 things I’ve been going without, for more than 5 years now. And I never missed a single item whatsoever.

Beauty products:

Starting with the one that involved 25% of my expenses back then. Many skincare & makeup products did nothing else than sit on the vanity, occupying space, and demanding attention. In fact, trying different cheaper products did more harm than good to my skin. Now I have created my capsule beauty kit and I repurchase the same products after emptying.

Hair-care products:

I suffer from a major hair fall after using conditioners and other hair products. Probably I don’t know the right way of applying it. Hence, I stay away from hair conditioners, dry shampoos, heat protectant sprays, etc.,

Salon visits:

Hygiene has always been a concern for me. Moreover, I was hardly content with my salon visits. I DIY everything at home except for hair trimming & facial threading.

Trendy outfits:

Fashion and trends have never been my thing. I admit I cannot carry it well. I am more comfortable and happy with the few classic pieces in my capsule wardrobe.

Trendy footwear:

The same goes for footwear. I love my flats. I hate when footwear grabs my attention in the middle of a busy day because of all the discomfort.

Fancy jewelry:

Fancy jewelry goes with fancy outfits. As I’m more into classy dressing style I have only one or two pairs of earrings, watches, hand accessories, etc.,

Handbags & Wallet:

The anti-minimalist self of me once owned a lot of handbags that would go with various outfits. Many of which were donated unused. But now I have only one handbag and a wallet. And, I pretty much don’t care if that goes with my dressing style or not.

Coffee mugs:

I had this silly mindset of never repeating the cups and mugs on someone’s second visit to my home. Thus, I had a huge collection of cups and mugs. Thankfully not now. If you’re on Instagram with me, you know I have some ordinary mugs that I don’t mind repeating even on social platforms over again.

Kitchen appliances:

For me, some food processors or appliances are more complicated to use. Instead, I’m way faster with my good old methods.

Cleaning products:

Other than being toxic, they need attention. Well, 5 different solutions for cleaning 5 areas in the house? Not me. I’m good with my dish soap, white vinegar, and baking soda.

Plastic containers:

I was a huge hoarder of plastic containers when they were in trend a few years back. After choosing environmental-friendly behavior I strictly stopped buying plastic items.

Home Decor:

As you might know, I have two articles on this topic: 11 inexpensive ways to beautify your home and 10 tips to decorate a minimalist home. I follow the same techniques to decorate my home.

Newspapers and magazines:

Another unnecessary pile to deal with by the end of each month. I simply hate paper clutter. Canceling the newspaper and magazine subscriptions lead me to peace of mind.

Cable subscription:

Totally glad about this decision. No wonder it is called an “idiot box” 🙂

Gym membership:

Yes, even after being able to exercise at home I had joined the gym, only to hold myself accountable and for regularity. But then, intense workouts demand sufficient protein requirements. Where the protein supplements get in. And, I never want to go that way.

Processed food:

I have never been a fan of pre-packaged or ready-to-cook food. Not even a bit. However, I used to buy Maggi noodles, biscuits, cookies, and pastries frequently. That being said, after getting into the routine of meal planning and prepping, I have entirely stopped buying processed food.

Cleaning maid:

Every time it has been an unpleasant experience. I have created my routines and systems by myself and I’m doing great so far.

Pens:

Each time standing in the queue at the store checkout I used to grab a pack of pens. Still, I never found one that wrote properly (99 percent were dried) when I needed it in a hurry. Now I keep only one or two (good quality) in a place where I can find them easily.

Final Words:

They might seem small ways but they add up. Sometimes, we don’t even realize how many things we spend money on are far from what is required.

What things have you stopped buying to save money? I’d love to learn more ways and know your thoughts in the comment section below.

January 20, 2020
13 Best Minimalist Gift Ideas: Thoughtful Gifts For Minimalist This Christmas
With more and more people turning towards minimalism and simple living, lots of thoughts need to be put into gift-giving. Today, I have you covered 13 minimalist gift ideas that your beloved ones will appreciate.

The idea behind presenting a gift is to make your dear ones happy. And not overwhelming them with the items that they-
1. don’t need or want
2. don’t know what to do with it?
3. which they’ll stress to deal with (keep or discard)?
Since Gift means Happiness. Happiness can be in any form – a physical thing or a living experience.

In fact, I love to know my loved ones’ opinions in picking a gift for themselves. Or I simply put the cash into an envelope and let them choose something on their own.

But if you want to surprise them with some exciting gifts. I have some suggestions which can be helpful:

Capsule Beauty Kit:

You can pull together a capsule (custom-designed) beauty kit for your friend/relative. Just ascertain their favorite makeup or skincare brand and pick the basic products that they can use regularly.

Example: A combo of an (eye-shadow palette + blush + lipsticks) or (Cleanser + toner + moisturizer) or (a good day cream+night cream) or (powder foundation + lip crayons).

Movie Tickets/Tickets To Events:

Gift them a ticket to their favorite show or place. It can be a musical event, a visit to an art gallery or museum, depending on the person’s interest. These memorable occasions count more than physical gift items for many individuals.

Yoga Mat/Sports Equipment:

There wouldn’t be a great choice than a yoga mat for the yogis or kettlebell/resistance band for gym fans. These sorts of items can be great for busy mommies mainly since they can accomplish a quick 10-15 minutes exercise at home.

Books:

Books mean the world to the bookworms! Remember a friend talking about their favorite part from the latest book he/she read? There you have it! Go with the same genre/author.

Another wonderful gift for a bookworm is a library subscription or kindle books.

Coffee Mug/Coffee Date:

If the person and you, both are coffee lovers, a coffee date can be the most enjoyable treat. If you’re not, gifting them a pack of one they love along with a personalized coffee mug can make a lovely present.

Planner:

A planner is a great practical gift. It can be useful to anyone, particularly those who love to stay organized. You can also DIY to add a bit of a personal touch.

Home Appliances:

Do you want your gift to be an everyday-used item.. something that will make the chore easiest? A home appliance is a good fit! There are many traditional as well as advanced home appliances available. This will be a great choice for new mommies, working moms, our own parents, or older people to help them make their job easier.

Food Items:

Do you love baking or cooking? Making your own homemade goodies is heartwarming. Nothing can beat something so thoughtful and prepared with love, like freshly baked sandwich cookies, muffins, gingerbread rolls, caramel crackers, etc

Read: 11 Inexpensive Ways To Beautify Your Home

Candles:

It’s the home decor freaks’ handy alternative! Candles are usable, classy, and inexpensive giftware.

A Spa/Nail Art Appointment:

A superb way to let them unwind, relax and beautify themselves at the same time. If your friend is a beauty enthusiast, you’re going to make her day.

Visit a dentist/dermatologist/hair specialist:

This is a great option for those very close to you. Just know their concerns and make appointments accordingly.

Dinner Date:

A wonderful plan for family outings and also to avoid cooking and after-party clean-up. Dinner trips are wonderful because everyone is uniformly involved.

Plants:

One of my favorites on the list. Here we are talking about natural plants. The plant is a truly meaningful gift for anyone. Make sure to figure out – whether it’s an indoor one and the ways to care for it. Moreover, gift it to a plant-lover or someone who loves gardening.

Final Words:

These gift ideas are great for Christmas, birthdays, or other special events. All the things listed here are perfect for a simple living or minimalist lifestyle. Things that won’t clutter their space and will make them feel special.

Would you like to add something? I would love to have your suggestions in the comment box below. Thank you for reading!
November 24, 2019
How I Save Money On One Income (With No Kids)
There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means. – Calvin Coolidge

Indians are frugal by nature. Right from childhood, we see our parents and other people around, being smart with money. Or should I say insightful about handling money? There are countless ways they try to save money wherever possible.

We bargain at our best in every section.

Women have their secret cash boxes in the kitchen. Kitchen? To keep it safe and out of reach of husband and children.

Use tiny pouches to collect loose change which adds up to a specific amount after a few days.

Figure out the best places to shop where we will get value for money.

Strive to get some space in public transport because it is a cheaper alternative.

Buy our monthly groceries in bulk.

Make every possible attempt to save on utilities.

These are some of the general money-saving ways followed in India.

But, every household is different, and therefore, their money management system also differs a little bit if not much.

I love to stay home to look after my husband more than work outside. Many times, shouldering the responsibility for homemaking is as important as earning money. This divided sense of responsibility allows us to focus and concentrate on our work respectively. And, creates harmony in the relationship.

Even after belonging to a frugal family, there was a time, I was poor at managing money.

One time, I stumbled across the quote, “Penny saved is a penny earned”. It was so impactful that it entirely moved my focus from earning to saving. I looked for areas where I could eliminate as many expenses as I could; I observed that household and lifestyle changes were the better areas to start with.

I started slowly and steadily. And now, with little effort and mindfulness, I save a particular amount of money at the end of each month. I consider this amount of money as “My Earnings”. And, because of this outlook, I strive to save as much as I can to increase my monthly earnings. I regard this as a little assistance on my part to support my husband’s hard work.

Here are a few ways I save money on income:

HOW I SAVE MONEY ON ONE INCOME (With No Kids)

1. One car and small house:

We are a family of two – my husband and I. We do not have kids. I work from home. So, there’s no point in having an extra car.

As for the home, we don’t need a big one. We both prefer to live within our means. And, don’t believe in going into debt for a big house. We’re living a debt-free=content life in our small house.

Also, a small house has the advantages of less electricity, less water consumption, and hence lower utility bills.

2. Meal Planning and cooking at home:

Cooking at home saves roughly about 30-40% of the monthly expenses. Planning the meals ahead and making a grocery list helps avoid impulse buying.

Meal planning helps to prevent frequent trips to the grocery store thus saving on travel expenses.

Read 6 Reasons You Should Start Cooking From Scratch Today

3. I avoid buying too many cleaning products:

Do you really need so many expensive products if you clean your house regularly? I mean one for floors, one for the bathroom, and the other for the toilet? The answer is NO. The basic cleaning products do a great job of keeping the house clean.

The products that I use are – dishwashing liquid+baking soda+white vinegar. These three primary products are adequate to clean pretty much anything in the house.

Read: 5 Super Simple Ways To Make Dishwashing Fun

4. We don’t spend on gym membership:

My husband loves brisk walking in the open (outside) for 30 minutes 5 times a week. Yes, I agree, walking does not count as a workout. It is just a physical activity. But that’s the only form of exercise he loves. And, my attitude towards exercising is – something is better than nothing.

I love to do yoga in the comfort of my home. This saves us almost $43 (Rs 3,000/-) on a monthly gym membership.

5. I do not buy home decor items:

Since I have a small house I try to keep the decor items to a minimum. A clutter-free home is more beautiful than an accessorized one for me. This saves a lot of cleaning time as well.

Read: 11 Inexpensive Ways To Beautify Your Home

6. I do not hire a cooking or cleaning maid:

It’s easier to hire a cleaning and cooking maid in India. But I prefer to do all the housework and cooking on my own. I am a little OCD about cleaning. And, cannot entrust the most important tasks of my household (Cleaning and cooking) to anyone.

This helps me save not less than $114 (Rs 8,000/-) a month. A pretty good amount, right?

7. DIY hair and beauty treatments:

I go to salons for facial threading and to get my hair trimmed only. And, do the rest by myself at home. I scrub my face once in 10 days. Apply a homemade mask when I need some hair treatment.

Take care of my nails, toes, and feet while in the shower. I paint my nails at home.

The average cost of the package that includes (facial+waxing+manicure+pedicure) is somewhere around $30 (Rs2,100/-) in Mumbai. I save that much amount with these quick and easy DIY treatments.

Related Topics:
8. With a minimalist approach:

Minimalism has brought a drastic change in our financial habits. The journey of being a spendthrift to a saver was life-changing. All thanks to minimalism.

I have become the best version of myself in the purchase category. The minimalist coach within me makes the decision if it’s a need or want; whether to buy the item or not.

9. By shopping in sales:

Yes, we buy in bulk our clothes as well. We take advantage of the end-of-the-season sale, which happens to be 2 or 3 times per year, in India.

During the sales, we buy everything from shoes to accessories to handbags, every single thing. In between, we avoid going to malls to avoid impulse purchases.

10. By canceling cable subscription:

From the time I started blogging, we’ve canceled our cable subscription. Since I hardly get any time to watch Television. Rather I don’t WANT to.

And, with the option of having so much entertainment available on the internet, cable was a sheer waste of money.

Final Words:

These are some of the areas I save comfortably without affecting our standard of living in any way. Yes, we do spend on eat-outs and date nights, but we limit it to once a week.

I don’t believe in going out of the way to spend or being a cheapskate either. And, firmly believe in maintaining a balance in order to persist.

So, we have fun when we need a break from the daily rut while also being sensible about our spending.

Over to you. I would love to have your suggestions. In what other ways do you think can I save more money living on one income? Thanks so much for reading. Happy Saving!

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April 28, 2019
Why I Love Wearing Minimal Makeup
A few years ago now, I was an insane consumerist. I was so much into watching the makeup videos and reading the reviews of new makeup arrivals. And then, purchasing them mindlessly.

I wanted to own the products that other girls had irrespective of their usage. I wished to have, a huge collection of makeup, just like they showed in the videos.

In 2015, I came across Joshua Becker’s becomingminimalist.com and since then, my minimalism journey began.

After reading about minimalism, I started becoming aware of the stuff that I owned. When I looked a bit more into it, I realized that I was only using 5-6% of what I owned, regularly. And that, I wasn’t fond of wearing foundations, eyeshadows, blushes, or the other makeup products.

Even for special occasions, I avoided wearing so many products. Firstly, because of the lack of practice – I was worried about messing up my look at the last moment. Secondly, it was time-consuming. And thirdly, I hated the heavy feel of makeup on my face.

It was then, I decided to create a personalized makeup look with the only makeup products that I love wearing and was comfortable with. Doing this simplified my life.

Today I’m Sharing Some Of The Benefits of wearing minimal makeup That I’ve Discovered:-

1. Getting ready becomes so much easier:

Especially when you’re pressed for time. Whether you’re a student, a working woman, or a stay at home mom, no one has so much time to layer the products and do the detailing on a busy morning. Instead, all you want is to look polished and put together in no time, which is possible with minimal makeup.

2. It saves a lot of money:

I save so much money on foundations, concealers, eyeshadow palettes, blushes, highlighters, contouring products, lip glosses. Also, the storage items required to stack them.

Read: How I Save Money On One Income (With No Kids)

3. It saves a lot of time:

It takes a lot of time to:

a) perfecting the makeup.

b) learning about the products i.e., reviews and also how to apply them.

c) Shopping – whether online or Stores.

d) Organizing the makeup products.

e) Packing for the travels.

I utilize all this time to do some important work rather.

Related:
4. It’s easier to pack for the travels:

Since, I have fewer products that fit into one small bag, packing for the travels becomes easy. I just have to pack a single makeup pouch and I’m done.

5. It feels so liberating:

The freedom that comes with minimalism cannot be explained in words. It clears the mental clutter of –
- the never-ending wants/wanting for more than what I already have
- wasting energy in deciding what to buy
- worrying about whether I made the right decision about purchasing the products.
- And last but not least, the guilt of wasting money whenever I look at the impulse-buy never-used product.
6. Minimal is Classy:

I don’t think it’s practical to wear smokey eyes, highlights, and contours on a day to day basis. It looks dramatic – it might look good in the pictures or videos, but in person, it looks way too much.

7. Applying too much makeup is harmful to your skin:

It blocks the pores and makes the skin prone to acne and pimples.

Related:
- 7 Easy Ways To Look Put Together On A Budget
- Super Simple Skincare Routine For Busy Women
8. It makes organizing easier:

Organizing is way easier when you have less stuff. Now, I don’t need makeup organizers, palette holders, brush holders, bins, and baskets. All I need is a single makeup pouch.

9. Create a capsule look for yourself:

Yes, you don’t have to follow every step from a standard makeup application process. You can absolutely go ahead and create the look of your own – one that suits your style and profession. With the only products and steps that you love.

10. I choose quality over quantity:

Instead of buying, too many inexpensive makeup items, which will sit in the drawers for years. I consider buying fewer good quality products that are forgiving on my skin.

Read:
- 8 self-care-tips for comfortable periods
- 11-Secrets To Creating Blissful 30S Every Woman Should Know
11. I feel more confident in my own skin:

I embrace my natural beauty with less makeup. Often times, it is about how you carry yourself, and the energy that radiates more than makeup.

If you’re confident enough about yourself it’ll show in your appearance. If not, then even a ton of makeup won’t help you look good.

12. I am ahead of time while going out:

Now, no one has to wait for me while going out. I remember how embarrassing it was to be late every time for any occasion since it took a long while applying elaborate makeup.

Also, applying makeup is so time-consuming that at the end there was no time left to do the nails or apply lotion to hands and feet or dress up properly.

Final Words:

Makeup is just a tool. We should use it to enhance our natural features and not hide our flaws. Everyone has the beauty of their own – so let’s stop hiding behind the masks of makeup and love being ourselves – comfortable in our own skin. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the minimalist bloggers for being such a great inspiration. And, for helping me experience the treasures of minimalism.

Thank you so much for reading. Why do you love wearing minimal makeup?

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February 2, 2019

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