Everyone has a different definition of the word 'minimalism'. For me, minimalism is about only owning things I need - I don't like clutter and I don't like excess. Some people may think I'm weird (or poor) because I don't own basic things that most others take for granted, but I see little point in cluttering up my home with stuff I never use, just because society thinks it's 'the norm'.
Want to know what I choose to forego? Here are five things I have never owned as an adult:
1. Microwave
There are two reasons why I don't own a microwave. The first is that we have a small kitchen and there's just no room for bulky appliances. The second is that we like to cook our meals from scratch - we don't buy ready meals and would rarely use a microwave, which means it'd just be taking up valuable space. Granted, microwaves offer the convenience factor, but anything that can be cooked in a microwave can be cooked in an oven. It may take a little longer but in my opinion it'll taste better anyway, and I won't have to clean a microwave as well as the cooker!
2. Dishwasher
Even if I had the space, I wouldn't want a dishwasher. There are only two of us and we wash our dishes as soon as we use them, not letting them pile up. Besides, I don't think we own enough dishes to fill an entire machine.
3. Tumble dryer
Before you start thinking I'm completely primitive, I do own a washing machine. A tumble dryer, however, is something we can live without. If we had a bigger house, I might consider buying one - it'd save having to hang our clothes up indoors when the weather's bad and I love the feel of towels which have been tumble dried and are all soft and fluffy, but for now, we make do.
4. Ironing board
I never iron. Never. I just hang my clothes up as soon as I've washed them and don't actually care if there are a few wrinkles left. We do have an iron, though. If I lived alone I'd give it away, but sometimes my husband needs to iron a shirt for work so we keep it. Instead of an ironing board, he just has to use the table with a towel laid over it.
5. Plants/Flowers
I seem to have a special talent for killing any plants that enter my home. I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong. Because of this extraordinary trait, I have decided to banish all plants from the house.
And here are five things I do still own...
1. Car
This is probably my biggest expense, what with buying petrol, insurance, car tax and getting it MOTed and serviced every year, but I need my car. I need it for work as well as for visiting friends and family, none of whom live close by. When I'm staying in the city, though, I try to use it as little as possible - most places are within walking distance.
2. Bed
I see a lot of minimalists on YouTube who don't own a bed or just sleep on a mattress on the floor, and I was interested in trying this for myself. So a couple of years ago when our old bed broke (don't ask) and we got rid of it, we experimented by sleeping on the floor for a while before ordering a new one. It was fine but we decided that it wasn't for us in the long term as we both really preferred sleeping in a bed. Our bed now is very minimalist looking though, with a white frame and all white sheets and covers, and we love it (and appreciate it more after not having one for a while).
3. Hair straighteners
These are a necessity for me. My hair is naturally frizzy and I couldn't live without my GHDs to calm it down. I know they're not great for your hair but what's a girl to do?
4. Kettle and toaster
I use both of these on a daily basis. The kettle, especially, gets used multiple times a day, whether it's for coffee, tea or just heating up water to cook with. I could probably get by without a kettle or toaster, but it'd just make my life harder and what's the point in suffering for the sake of suffering?
5. Sofa and armchair
I'm not such a dedicated minimalist that I forego all furniture and just sit on the floor, and I probably never will be.
Is there anything you don't own that most people do?
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:
Why I Don't Follow the KonMari Method When Decluttering
Six Ways to Have an Eternally Clean House Without Paying a Professional
Let's Connect!
I do have a microwave and I'm not really sure why because it never really gets used. Very occasionally to reheat something but I never buy microwave food. I don't know how I'd manage without my dishwasher though!! It's interesting to see what minimalism means to different people x
ReplyDeleteSophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk
Love this I have been into minimalism since 3 years ago and is still currently in the process of minimizing as much as I can. The things I don't own that most people do are:
ReplyDelete1.Hair Curler/Straightener
2.Blow dryer
3.Ironing Board
4.I wanted to mention laptop as I borrow my brothers laptop
5.I don't have a chair in my room even though I own a desk. I use a small ladder instead.
Great post. Keep on sharing.
Kaye - http://amalog.co
I love seeing how everyones own take is on Minimalism. I started getting more into the thoughts of it since watching Matt D'avella. I keep contemplating the microwave too as hardly use it and going to have a serious think to can we cope without it.
ReplyDeleteStacey | SimplyStacey.co.uk
I don't own a lot of stuff to begin with but I have a small mountain of clothes that I never wear so my plan is to minimize the clothes.
ReplyDeleteNo bed(use futon as my apartment is small anyway) and tv because no point of keeping something that I rarely use.
It's interesting to see each individual way of being a minimalist. I've seen a Japanese youtuber who only have 3-5 outfits tho.
x Rasya nurulrasya.com
Whilst I love the idea of minimalism and see why people would want to do it, I believe it's a personal choice. All of your items are justified and completely relatable of why you do and do not have them.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a microwave because we have a baby against things like a car I need them but we don't have a dishwasher or tumble dryer.
Katie xx
www.katienor.com
This is a really interesting topic! I don't own a dishwasher or tumble dryer either as there isn't enough room for those in my flat. I also never iron either and have a habit of killing off all the house plants too, ha ha! I don't have a car at the moment as I don't really need one and everything is in walking distance. I agree, there is no point having things you don't really need/use. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, fab post! <3 xx
ReplyDeleteBexa | www.hellobexa.com
I love how everyone has a different take on minimalism. I don't think I could every be those extreme minimalists that have almost nothing in their home, but I do like the idea of having only what you need and truly want. I think I could live without a dryer, as I only use mine a few times a year. I got rid of our iron and ironing board two years ago because we never used them and it made little sense to have them in the house.
ReplyDeleteI tired sleeping on the floor as well for awhile before getting buying a new bed and it was just wasn’t for me and I love my tea and coffee I’m trying to convince people to buy a kettle but they say it’s the same in the microwave
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have no bed frame, we have done this since we first got married and we love it. I would be lying if I said I didn't dream about a bed frame when I was pregnant (It was hard as heck to get out of bed), but I also love knowing that if I lay my one year old daughter in my bed she won't roll off and get hurt!
ReplyDelete