The very concept of minimalism revolves around the idea that less is more. It’s a way of life that encourages you to not get caught up on material things and fill your life full of junk and clutter. With that in mind, many people wonder how you decide what to buy as a minimalist. Realistically, you need certain things in your life to survive, and you can’t live with anything to your name. So, how do you look at products and determine if they fit the minimalist nature or not? Well, here are some secrets that should make things clearer:
Is the product essential?
You can answer yes or no to this question and you could still end up buying the product. It’s okay to buy non-essential items, but only if they meet other standards – which will be discussed as you progress through this guide. However, you can usually determine whether to buy something if the answer is yes. Essential items are worth purchasing because it means you need them in your life. This relates to things like microwaves, air conditioners – anything else around your home that might be key to how you live.
Is the product multifunctional?
This is a great question when looking at non-essential things to buy for yourself. Certain products have more functions than others, which is great for minimalists. A great example is a set of AirPods Pro. Many minimalists may want to listen to music, so they look for a set of headphones. Normally, headphones seem like a waste of space and money, but items like these AirPods are different. Why? Because they have numerous functions that let them act as various products. As well as letting you listen to music, they have features that replicate those of hearing devices, amplifying sounds around you and helping you hear more clearly. They can also act as earbuds by blocking out noise, and serve as hands-free devices to make and receive calls.
Storage furniture is another fine example of a multifunctional product. On the one hand, a footstool could function as a footstool. However, it also has storage inside to function as an extra storage box. Items with multiple functions are crucial for minimalists as you can minimize the products you buy by getting things that serve many purposes.
Does the item have longevity?
The final question is whether or not the item has longevity. In essence, will it last for a long time and be used often. If it will, then it can be worth buying. Again, this helps to fit the minimalist mindset by stopping you from constantly buying things over and over again. You can buy a product, use it for years, and have no need to constantly replace it.
Overall, these questions should help you figure out if a product fits the idea of minimalism or not. If it isn’t essential, it should at least be multifunctional or have longevity. Ideally, it will have both of the last two factors – or all three!
