Becoming a minimalist: How I did it

My encounter with minimalism

I got my first job when I was 16, got a professional education when I was 19 and landed my first “secure” (if you can even call it that nowadays) and not even that poorly paid job when I was 22. I was able to pay for my own 80 square foot apartment (out in the country), food, clothes and hobbies — and was even able to afford a road trip through California.

Not a small feat for my age — considering that I had already reached a point that many people only reach after years of studying. However, the more I had and the more I committed, the unhappier I became. Was my life just supposed to go on like this for the next 40 years? I felt weighed down and anything but free.

A short time later in Australia with a backpack on my shoulders and a simple job behind the bar I finally felt light and happy! Could it really be that simple? Apparently fewer possessions equal more freedom, at least in my books! First lesson learned!

Following said backpacking trip I spent several years living far more minimalistic, and instead of living in an expensive apartment and spending my money on expensive stuff, I would just spend it on traveling.
However — after moving to Berlin more stuff starting creeping into my life again. When you’re making money but don’t have a lot of time, you automatically pay less attention to your spending and you start to become lazy. Kind of like: “If I only have 2 weeks of vacation, then I have to make the most of it.” For example, I didn’t want to put up with having to take a stopover just to get a cheaper flight.

It was time to pull the emergency brake again. In the past year I’ve de-cluttered more than three times (every time I thought to myself “Wow, way to go” only to later notice that I still had way too much stuff). But, slowly but surely my efforts are starting to show. I’m starting to once again feel lighter and liberated.

What does minimalism have to do with backpacking?

One thing is for sure, when you’re off backpacking for a while and don’t stay in the same place, it means that you only have room for a limited amount of stuff in your backpack. This is hard on almost anybody at first but you also wouldn’t be the first backpacker to notice that you’re not really missing anything. Instead you collect tons of invaluable moments that fill this “void”.

Nobody says you can’t spoil yourself by staying in a luxurious hotel every now and then. Fact is, you’re going to appreciate it way more than before. If you have limited resources available and yet constantly crave luxury, then you’ll just have to accept that your trip will be shorter.
Once you’ve collected “moments” you will oftentimes rather choose moments over money or other materialistic stuff.

Minimalism also plays are big role when it comes to saving up for your trip. No matter how much money you make, you will never have enough for everything. Nobody ever does. When you’re on the road for several months you have to keep your costs at home as low as possible. Keep paying for your apartment? Not a good idea!

Minimalism is more than just owning “only 100 things”

Minimalism isn’t about sitting in an empty apartment, not allowing yourself any indulgences or only owning a certain number of things. It’s rather a whole lifestyle that makes your life easier, while taking away stress and pressure. You’re simply shifting your priorities.
If your goal is to travel longer or maybe even become a digital nomad, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the subject, otherwise the lifestyle is much harder to achieve.

Working less so you have more time, — more time to actually do things that you enjoy might mean less money. Therefore it’s good not to be too dependent on it.

How do I become a minimalist?

It doesn’t have to happen over night. The whole thing can just as well be a slow process where you start cleaning out whatever you haven’t used in a while. If you’re too afraid to straight out sell it or give it away, then just pack it up and put it in your basement for now to see if you’re going to miss it. Too often we’re afraid that we might need things “somewhere” down the road. The other option is to be flat out radical about it.

Once you’ve really de-cluttered, you’re generally going to feel liberated and cleansed. You’re also going to become more creative because you’re not as distracted. Apart from objects, it also makes sense to clean up some of your contracts. Fewer things you have to take care of equals more time.
While you’re at it, you might also want to consider giving up some other bad habits. Smoking? Too much drinking or constantly indulging in fast food or eating out. Basically a WIN-WIN for a healthier life.

Oftentimes giving up an item has several positive side effects. By selling your car you save on insurance, taxes, inspection, repairs, are doing your part in protecting the environment and are even leaving your comfort zone by going out and riding your bike. Do I have to mention the positive effect this is going to have on your health and fitness?! Additionally if you’re traveling for extended periods of time you don’t have to worry about your car being towed because your vehicle is suddenly parked in a restricted zone.

In times of internet and car sharing you can easily obtain a car if really necessary, at Carsharing for example. This might not be for everyone but there are other points to minimalism that follow a similar pattern.
Too lazy? Of course — as with most things — this requires a certain amount of work. Unfortunately being passive won’t get you anywhere and that applies to a lot of things.

The big challenge

Cleaning out your closet once or twice, so to speak, is still relatively easy. Just be practical about it and remember: If you really miss something you can always get it again. No harm done.
However, the challenge here is: To also want less in the future. This is more of a change in the way you think and the choices you hereupon make in everyday life. New possessions oftentimes imply a certain degree of safety which makes it hard for us to resist them.

Helpful steps:

I. Have a vision in mind!
What do you want to own? How are you going to use your time? Where are you going to be? This will make it easier to say “no” to things that don’t fit in with in with your ultimate goal.

II. Why do you even want to become a minimalist?
So that way you can save up money for something else? So you’re less stressed out? So you have more time because there’s less to clean and less things to take care of (e.g. repairs)? If you know the “why” then it’s easier to get there.

III. Test it out!
Slowly put the lifestyle to the test to find out if it’s right for you. This could mean a backpacking trip with fewer luggages or a pilgrimage. Or, as mentioned before, pack a good chunk of your stuff into your garage or you basement to see if you miss any of it. Once you notice how good this makes you feel, you’re going to be motivated to keep going.

IV. You can change back at any time!
Remember that you can change your lifestyle again at any time. Maybe it’s only ideal for your current stage in life and it helps you realize some of your other dreams. Stocking back up is easy. Once you’ve realized that it’ll be a lot easier to let go.

V. Hold up!
Whenever you want to make a purchase, don’t directly go out and buy it but rather write it down. By waiting a few days and not following your first impulse to buy you might even come to realize that a good chunk of the things on your list aren’t even that important anymore. This doesn’t mean you’ll never buy anything again. Just not erratically and influenced by marketing campaigns.

VI. Doing instead of buying!
Try to live out the joyful anticipation you get with each purchase which is oftentimes followed by a sense of disenchantment with something more creative. Substitute your consumerism by creating things yourself.

VII. Compare!
Is this piece of clothing that costs xx € worth more to me than a day in Mexico at the beach? If so: Buy. If not: Enjoy an extra day in Mexico.
The whole thing also has a little to do with thinking outside the box: If you notice that the flights to your favorite destination cost an arm and a leg, then why not fly someplace else? Think flexibility instead of rigid planning. Make the most out of what you have.
Of course this lifestyle can also be applied to information and relationships. It’s not necessarily just about objects.

What are your experiences with minimalism? Do you feel liberated by having less?

Thank you for reading!

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Do you also live and work location independent or are interested in that livestyle? I am Blogger at my German Backpacking & Adventure Travel Blog Travelicia and the founder of DNX — Digital Nomad Conference!