The characteristics of a minimalist person usually include owning less, being more mindful of their possessions and thoughts, and having a simpler lifestyle.
A minimalist person is someone who prioritizes simplicity and lives a clutter-free life. Minimalists don’t believe in excess or having more than what they need. For them, less is always more.
A minimalist person might have a very small wardrobe of only essential clothing items. They might live in a house or apartment with just the basics. And they might own very few material possessions overall.
Why do people become minimalist?
For some, it’s a way to declutter their life and live with less stress. Others believe that it helps them focus on what’s truly important. And still, others think that it’s a more sustainable way to live.
- In the first place, many people become minimalists because they want to declutter their life. They feel like they have too much stuff and it’s causing them stress. It gets overbearing and they can’t keep up with it all. So, they decide to get rid of anything that they don’t use or need.
- For others, it’s about focusing on what’s important. They want to simplify their lives to focus on the things that matter most to them. This might include spending more time with family and friends, traveling, or pursuing a hobby.
- And finally, some people become minimalists because they want to live a more sustainable life. They believe that owning fewer things is better for the environment. Plus, it can help save money in the long run.
What are the characteristics of a minimalist person?
There are a few key characteristics that are common among minimalist people.
Not manipulated by publicity and marketing
If minimalists see a cute dress in a store, they’re not going to buy it, even if it’s on sale. They only buy what they need and nothing more.
For example, they won’t buy items that are 1 + 1 free, or packs of 3 for the price of 2. For them, it’s just unnecessary clutter.
All these marketing campaigns don’t work on them because they’re not looking to buy more than what they need.
Prefer quality over quantity
Minimalists prefer quality over quantity because they know that it’s better in the long run. They would rather have one high-quality pair of shoes that will last them a few good years than more shoes that are probably lower quality.
Also, minimalists are also willing to spend more on an item if it means that it will last them a long time.
Read more about why focusing on quality over quantity here.
Not materialistic
Minimalists do not attach their happiness to material possessions. Instead, minimalists know that things are just things and that they can live without them.
Minimalists would rather have experiences than things. They believe that experiences are more valuable than material possessions because they provide lasting memories and can be shared with others.
Also, they believe that material possessions take up physical and mental space. So, the less they have, the freer they feel.
Are ready to leave the house in no time
Have you ever met someone who’s always late because they can’t find their keys or their phone? Or because they have to put make-up on, or find the perfect outfit?
Well, that’s not a problem for minimalists because they’re not attached to their things.
All they need is themselves and they’re ready to go.
Don’t chase happiness
Minimalists know that happiness does not come from things. It comes from within.
So, they don’t waste their time and energy chasing after things that they think will make them happy. Instead, they focus on the things that they already have and appreciate them.
They know that a new car or a bigger house is not going to make them any happier. Even if it will, not for a long time because they will quickly get used to it and want more.
Don’t care about trends
Minimalists don’t follow trends because they don’t want to waste their time, energy, space, and money on something that’s only going to be popular for a short amount of time. They would rather have a small number of quality items that will last them a long time.
For instance, one pair of who-knows-this-brand of jeans from a thrift store is better than having 5 pairs of trendy jeans that fall apart after a few wears.
Related: 30 Things I Stopped Buying as a Minimalist
Are content with what they have
Minimalists are content with what they have because they know that more is not always better.
They are happy with a small number of possessions because they know that it’s not the things that they own that matter, it’s the experiences that they have and the people that they’re with.
Related: Extreme Minimalism – Owning Less Than 15 Items
Love multipurpose items
Why have shampoo, soap, conditioner, hair mask, and shower gel when you can have one product that does it all?
Minimalists love multipurpose items because they save space, money, and time. Saving space is important to minimalists because they want to live in a decluttered environment. And multipurpose items help them do that.
Also, having multipurpose items don’t only save space, money, and time but also helps to worry about less stuff.
Are organized
Minimalists are usually organized because they know that a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Having a place for everything and keeping things in their place helps minimalists to stay focused and be more productive.
Having fewer possessions automatically means being more organized because there’s less stuff to keep track of.
Don’t attach to material possessions
A lot of people in today’s society are concerned with acquiring material possessions. They believe that their worth is based on how many things they own.
Minimalists, on the other hand, don’t attach to material possessions. They know that things are just things and they can live without them. They don’t attach sentimental value to their possessions because they know that it’s only temporary.
Minimalists focus on what’s important in life: experiences, relationships, and personal growth. By not attaching themselves to material possessions, they’re able to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Enjoy simplicity
Minimalists enjoy the beauty of simplicity. They know that less is more and that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the most beautiful.
They choose to live with less because they want to focus on the things that matter most to them.
Are grateful for what they have
Being thankful for what you have is an important part of being a minimalist. Practicing gratitude helps minimalists to focus on the positive things in their life and be content with what they have.
It’s easy to take the things that we have for granted but when we’re grateful for them, we appreciate them more.
Check out this article about 101 things to be grateful for even on gloomy days.
Take time to think
“Do I really need this?”
“Do I have anything similar?”
“Does it bring any value to my life?”
Minimalists know that rushing into things is not always the best idea.
They take the time to think about their decisions before they make them. This helps them to avoid making impulsive decisions that they may later regret. It also helps them to save money because they’re not buying things on a whim.
Also, once minimalists have taken the time to think about their decision, they’re usually good at saying no if it’s not something that they really want or need. This doesn’t apply only to buy things but also to other areas of life such as relationships and work.
Appreciate the little things
Minimalists know that it’s the simple pleasures in life that matter.
They don’t need big extravagant gestures to feel happy. They’re able to find joy in simple things.
They live in the present moment and appreciate the little things that happen in their day-to-day life.
The sound of boiling water in the morning, the sun shining through the trees, and a baby’s laughter, are some of the things that make minimalists happy.
Respect their time and energy
Minimalists respect their time and energy and they don’t like to waste it.
They’re very mindful of how they spend their time and they make sure that they’re doing things that are important to them. They’re also very mindful of how they spend their energy and they make sure that they’re not expending it on things that don’t matter to them, such as watching TV or scrolling through social media.
Minimalists know that time and energy are precious commodities and they don’t like to waste them.
Care about the environment
Minimalists love the environment and they do everything they can to protect it. They know that the planet is a finite resource and we need to take care of it.
They’re very conscious of their impact on the environment and they try to live a low-impact lifestyle.
They recycle, compost, and thrift.
The environment might be one of the reasons why they are drawn to minimalism in the first place.
Have free space
Minimalists have free space both physically and mentally. They don’t like to be surrounded by clutter and they don’t like to fill their minds with unnecessary thoughts.
Having free space helps them to feel calm and relaxed. It also allows them to focus on what’s important and be more productive. Moreover, free space helps minimalists to be more creative because they’re not bogged down by all the noise and distractions.
Value downtime
Minimalists know the importance of taking time for themselves.
They make sure to schedule some downtime every day or so. This is time that they use to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge.
Having fewer material possessions helps them to have more downtime because they don’t have to spend time cleaning and organizing their things.
Are mindful of their finances
Minimalists are very mindful of their finances and they make sure to live within their means. They don’t believe in buying things that they can’t afford and they’re very good at saving money.
They’re not materialistic and money isn’t the most essential thing to them, but they are still very conscious of their finances and make sure to keep track of their spending.
Owning less means spending less and this helps minimalists to save money.
Choose experiences over possessions
Minimalists know that experiences are more important than possessions. They would rather spend their money on experiences, like travel or going to concerts, than on things.
Experiences create lasting memories and feelings, whereas possessions eventually lose their luster. They bring joy that remains with us forever, whereas possessions often end up collecting dust on a shelf.
Minimalists also believe that experiences are more valuable because they can be shared with others. Possessions are often solitary, but experiences can be enjoyed with family and friends.
Experiences also help us to connect with the world around us and to feel more alive. In contrast, possessions often keep us trapped in our own little world.
How to know if I am a minimalist person?
Generally, if all the characteristics above describe you, then you might be a minimalist person. Of course, there is no set definition of what it means to be a minimalist, and everyone experiences minimalism differently.
- If some of the characteristics resonate with you, then you might be on your way to becoming a minimalist.
- If not all of the characteristics apply to you (but most of them do), then you probably have minimalist tendencies.
- In case you like the idea of minimalist but most of the qualities don’t apply to you, you can definitely change that! You can start by decluttering your space and getting rid of things that you don’t use or need. As you do this, you will start to adopt some of the minimalist qualities.
You need to learn to appreciate small things in life, let go of attachments, and so on.
It’s not easy, but it’s definitely possible to become a minimalist person!
Of course, it’s important to remember that minimalism is a journey, not a destination. So take your time and enjoy the process!
What are some famous minimalists?
Some famous minimalists include:
–Steve Jobs. The late CEO of Apple was known for his minimalist aesthetic. He believed in having less so that you could focus on what’s important.
–Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook CEO is another example of a famous minimalist. He wears the same gray t-shirt every day so that he doesn’t have to waste time deciding what to wear.
–Bill Gates. The Microsoft co-founder is also a minimalist. He is known for living a relatively simple life despite his billions of dollars. He doesn’t have an extravagant lifestyle and he gives a lot of his money away to charity.
–Warren Buffett. The billionaire investor is another example of a minimalist. He is known for his frugal lifestyle and he has said that he doesn’t need a lot of things to be happy.
–Guy Kawasaki. This author and entrepreneur is also a minimalist. He has said that he doesn’t need a lot of possessions to be happy and that he doesn’t care about material things.
– Robert Pattinson. You can read more about the famous actor here, but he is surely minimalist!
I find that it is so funny that some people that can afford anything are minimalist, while others that can’t afford much are not minimalist.
It goes to show that you don’t need material things to be happy!
Final thoughts
A minimalist person is someone who is mindful of their possessions, finances, and thoughts. They believe in owning less so that they can focus on what’s important and live a simpler life.
A person who is minimalist doesn’t necessarily live in a tiny home or wear all-black clothing. But, they might declutter their space often and only keep items that serve a purpose or bring them joy.
While minimalist living isn’t for everyone, it can be a fulfilling way of life for those who appreciate simplicity.
Do any of the characteristics of a minimalist person resonate with you? If so, you might be one of us!
Happy living!
Cheers!