Famously practiced by the late Steve Jobs among other celebrities including Keanu Reeves and Julia Roberts, Minimalism is the lifestyle trend that allows you to live with intention (and with less).
Whether you heard about it through The Minimalists, Marie Kondo, or if this is the first time, Minimalism is a lifestyle trend that has taken the world by storm. Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to throw out everything you own or even ‘go without’ to be a minimalist. Minimalism is all about eliminating the unnecessary from your life so you can focus on what matters most.
We spoke to Bondi based financial planner Canna Campbell and Canadian Existential Therapist Sara Kuburic to get their take on this lifestyle trend.
Canna Campbell has been a minimalist for around 8 years, a change that coincided with the birth of her son Rocco. As a new mum Canna felt overwhelmed by the plethora of baby ‘necessities’ that soon cluttered her benchtops. Minimalism was the answer to gaining back control in this trying time acting as the catalyst to her leading a happier and richer life.
Not only does having lots of stuff distract you from what is important it can be expensive to maintain. Canna says, “the more stuff we have, the more stuff we have to take care of which can be hugely time consuming.”
She says, “minimalism has infiltrated into lots of parts of my life- it’s always a journey.”
For Existential Therapist Sara Kuburic minimalism means, “decluttering the things that are not meant to be in my life and making space for things that are meant to be in my life. I have noticed that the more I physically declutter the more space I have mentally and emotionally.”
She thinks “its important to have things that you use, respect and represent who you are, and I think we are- this is very existential- bogged down by all the choices we have in life.” A regular traveller Sara currently has just two sweaters and yet “the choice is real”.
Canna is an advocate of having a capsule wardrobe, an idea that your wardrobe consists of a set number of clothes (say between 25 and 50 including clothing, shoes and accessories) that are harmonised with each other in colour, line and style. The items in your capsule wardrobe can then be mixed and matched to produce many outfits. Contrary to popular belief, minimalists don’t need to wear the same outfit every day.
The advantages of having a capsule wardrobe include saving money when you invest in fewer higher quality clothing items that will go with more outfits and less decision fatigue. Being able to get up in the morning and easily piece together something that you feel comfortable in, looks good and matches your style is rewarding as well as time and energy efficient.
Canna, “really respects the flow of money. If I am going to buy a beautiful jumper and I never wear it, I am not respecting the item, I am not respecting my money, I am not respecting my resources. I like to really simplify things in my life because it gives me so much more clarity.”
Minimalism doesn’t mean throwing out everything you own. It’s about finding balance and recognising the things in your life that bring you joy and utility ranging from your wardrobe to objects in your house and even people in your life. Declutter today in the spirit of minimalism.
