The term minimalism has become really popular recently (I’ll get to my own version of minimalism, “cosy minimalism,” later in the article), and the concept of slow living, minimalism and living simply is trending.
But to me, all of these lifestyle choices are more than a trend. They’re a sign that a lot of us are craving simplicity, we don’t like or can’t keep up with the demands of hustle culture, and we yearn for a quieter and less environmentally impactful existence.
So what is minimalism?
If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you’ll know what slow and simple living is (if you haven’t, in a nutshell it’s basically living intentionally), but the term minimalism could do with some explaining before I get into cosy minimalism.
Everyone has a slightly different definition and their own way of defining and conceptualising minimalism based on their unique circumstances – minimalism is going to look different for each individual.
For me, I understand minimalism as living life with the things that you really need, want and love that bring value to your life, and doing only or mostly the things that are in alignment with your values.
The Minimalists sum it up well when they say, “liv[ing] a meaningful life with less.”
Minimalism to me is a lifestyle choice, where we intentionally choose what we keep in our lives, what we let go of from our lives, and what we bring into our lives. It can focus on things and stuff, or it can go further and encompass someone’s whole life.
Doing minimalism your own way
Given that the minimalist lifestyle is so unique based on every individual who chooses to embrace the concepts of minimalism, we all need to find a way to do minimalism in our own way, if that’s how you feel called to live your life.
I actually don’t call myself a minimalist. Just to get that out there. But I do very much embrace the concept of minimalism, of only having things that add value to my life and that I need, of living simply and being intentional about how I use my resources, like money and time and energy. Of not having so much physical stuff to maintain. I’m not a minimalist, but I do embrace aspects of the minimalist lifestyle.
One reason that I don’t consider myself a minimalist is because I’m not a huge fan of labels if they’re not helpful to me. If they’re helpful, then great. Like it’s helpful for me to label myself a homebody, introvert, HSP, vegan, autistic or neurodivergent etc. because it helps other people understand me and helps me show up authentically in the world and find helpful resources, join support groups, and find like-minded individuals.
Personally, I don’t find that labelling myself a minimalist is helpful or necessary. And I don’t feel like it’s really accurate (and sometimes labels create certain expectations whether we realise it or not).
The main reason I don’t feel the need for the minimalist label or find it really encompasses what I’m trying to do with my life and lifestyle, is because I still have quite a bit of stuff and because I still have quite a few hobbies that come with supplies. Also because I still like colourful cushions and hand knitted blankets and knick-knacks on the shelf. But all of these things hold meaning for me and I enjoy them in the space. They add value. That being said, where appropriate I have taken on The Minimalists’ suggestion of taking photos and digitising things, so that I can keep the memory and emotion that these elicit, but let go of the tangible thing.
But hobbies and their supplies are another matter.
Maybe I’m a minimalist with hobbies.
This is where I’ve come up with my own version of minimalism, cosy minimalism.
Cosy Minimalism (with hobbies!)
Minimalism as I’ve said is about being intentional about your life, and only owning or having things in your space or life that really add value to it, and cosy minimalism opens up space to be a minimalist while keeping your cherished hobbies.
If I was to try and be like other minimalists who don’t have art and craft hobbies, or even those people who’ve decided that they want to get rid of all their supplies (by donating or selling them usually) because they’re no longer interested in the hobby/hobbies, getting rid of my craft supplies would be doing a disservice to me. These hobbies actually add value to my life.
Even though I can only do one hobby at once, I still manage to have multiple projects on the go. I find that I have hobby seasons. For a certain amount of time I’ll kind of go off knitting and be more inclined to do cross stitch. Or I’ll get really into painting and not be so keen to do other hobbies. If I decided on a whim in a particular ‘season’ of my life that I was going to get rid of all the hobbies and their supplies I was no longer enthused about, that would be a mistake. I understand now, from nearly getting rid of all my paint supplies in an “off season”, putting them in a box in the garage as a trial to see if I missed them (I did), then getting them out again because the rhythm moved me to paint, that my enthusiasm for different crafty hobbies ebbs and flows, so it’s fine for me to keep some in storage while working on a particular hobby at the one time.
In saying that, I have pared down my paints, my supplies, and whole crafty hobbies that don’t align with my values and after an honest assessment, really don’t add value to my life.
My cosy minimalism works for me so that I can live a simple meaningful life while still enjoying all the hobbies that really add value to my life (and others’ lives!).
What I haven’t ‘decluttered’ or minimised
To end this blog post, here’s a list of things I haven’t ‘decluttered’ or minimised yet that bring value to my life or that I just can’t seem to let go of yet (also that I never see in these minimalist videos on YouTube… it’s always clean neutral light colours, lots of empty space, and oh my the house plants – nothing wrong with this and it seems very nice to me):
- Knitted blankets in bright colours and knitted heart wall décor (we do have an elderly cat who enjoys these knitted blankets, and I enjoy the colours and patterns too – not your typical neutral colour minimalist décor, and maybe downright gaudy to some, but it works for us and I’ve had some nice comments about the space – to me, how it feels is more important than any aesthetic)
- Ornaments (that hold personal significance and are out of the way in a nice corner cabinet; I use this to justify my holding on to these things)
- Books (I’ve let go of a huge number of books recently that I know I can find in a library or borrow. But the books that I can’t seem to let go of yet are some childhood classics like the Shirley Barber fairy books, other picture books, and series that I got through the Scholastic Book Club that I don’t think I can find in a library that I really enjoy – they get read and add value, I would argue)
- Soft toys (I’ve had a hard time paring down my soft teddies. I’ve done a good job so far, but I still have so many from growing up and by the time I hit adulthood I had quite the collection. This paring down is something I need to do at my own pace, as I feel ready to).
- A pink snow coat and gloves for a trip to the snow… eventually… (and other aspirational items)
Final Thoughts
What do you think about minimalism? Do you identify as a minimalist?
Let me know what you think of anything you’ve read in this article, what your opinion of cosy minimalism is, I’d love to hear your quiet and curious thoughts!
You can reach out to me at [email protected] or in the comments below.
Much love from me,
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