What is a Minimalist Family?

Minimalism is a lifestyle that aspires to keep consumerism in check and concentrate on reorganizing one’s life. In a family, you can decide to adopt minimalism in order to save money, have fewer things, and spend more quality time together. It is possible to put it into practice by developing and implementing a plan. At that point, you can focus on maintaining this new lifestyle so that you and your family can lead a life based on simplicity. A life without distractions is a life with more fun.

Minimalism makes the members of a family feel more in touch with each other and closer to their real desires. Getting rid of the yoke of compulsive consumerism is the best thing you can do to feel good and be happy.

What is a minimalist lifestyle?

The minimalist lifestyle is a philosophy of life that seeks more experiences and less material possessions so that you can dedicate your time to what really matters. It is an attitude that refuses to recognize the maxim of “you have so much value”. In other words, in this philosophy, we are safeguarded by those who are rich in experiences. If you want to know what type of minimalist you are, here are 5 types.

5 Reasons to be a Minimalist Family

• Save Money
• Environment
• Live in the moment
• Time
• Space

1. Save Money

Obviously, the less you buy the less you spend. Avoiding unnecessary purchases, generally impulsive, helps us focus on what we really need. In this way, we do not fill a gap with material acquisition. How many times have you gone shopping for “retail therapy”?

It’s also important to remember that if an item we see is on sale, do not fall for it unless we cannot live without it. I know the urge is strong to buy an item that is 70% off, but this will only satisfy our desire momentarily.

I can attest to this experience in my life. When I see a cute dress on sale, I gravitate towards purchasing it. But I pull back when I ask myself, do I really need it? This is another $30 I can put in my pocket for other essential needs.

2. Environment

The more we buy the more we produce. The more we produce the more garbage we generate and the more resources we spend. If you already have one do not buy another like it. Duplicating objects we only duplicate the contamination.

It is the famous rule of the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle.

If something has broken, try to fix it or give it another use. Try using something similar that works for the same function. If there is no solution and you really need it, then there’s an exception that you can buy a new one. Teach your little people to recycle at home so they can inherit a better planet.

3. Live in the Moment

This is another principle of this blog, learn to appreciate the moment. If you are surrounded by objects it is very difficult to focus. Order favors concentration. As a domestic engineer, aka stay at home wife, the more stuff I have at home, the more I find myself constantly cleaning. I put off my children’s undivided attention.

As I purged my children’s toys and clothes, I noticed that the less I have to clean, the more I focus on my children. I then can concentrate on playing board games and reading books with them.

4. Time

The more objects you have, the more time you invest in fixing them, cleaning them, taking care of them, etc. And more time you invest in buying them. Buying is one of the activities that take more time. Do you really prefer to spend Saturday afternoon in the mall than on the beach?

When you free up time to own belongings, you gain time to live.

Another concept of minimalist life related to time is not to plan too much. Don’t stress too much about planning strict schedules, learn to live in the moment, and appreciate life as it is. Life is busy and slowing it down can help enjoy the little things.

5. Space

This is undeniable: things take up space. The more things there are in your house, the less space for you and your family. Books, clothes, music, technological equipment, and cables. Expired medicines, towels, kitchen utensils, or toys. You can find excess things in any corner of the house.

The more you occupy your children’s toys, the less room to use them and the more time to store them when finished. Get rid of the things that are not necessary, get rid of the duplicates, and above all, stop buying thoughtlessly.

Another rule you can have in your household is to throw an item out, purchase a new one. This way you can have the same amount of items in your house without accumulating stuff.

Self Reflection

As you can see there are several reasons to consider this lifestyle. Of course, it is a personal or group decision of each family. The benefits and waivers affect all members so it is important to agree. You already know that children have the right to participate in decision-making. Doing it in a group is more fun and can reinforce you when you have small temptations. Here are more tips on being a minimalist.

Tell me if you consider yourself minimalist and what do you think of this lifestyle!

• Would you be willing or willing to give up your material possessions?
• What is it that it would cost you the most to give up?

Leave a comment with your impressions below!