5 POWERFUL Things Minimalists Do Differently

When you think of a minimalist what do you think of? What are some things minimalists do differently from normal people? 

Do all minimalists live in stark white studio apartments with a mattress on the floor and a pillow for the couch? Or maybe they are all traveling the world out of a van? 

Of course not! Minimalists live all sorts of lives. There are all kinds of minimalists and while the extremes above do exist there are plenty of minimalists who live normal lives in normal homes with normal families and normal jobs.

So what makes a minimalist a minimalist and what are some things that minimalists do differently? 

Minimalist Spend Money Differently

Minimalists are just like everyone else. They need money and they work for it but one of the things minimalists do differently is how they spend their money. 

Most minimalists try not to buy things that they don’t really need or feel will add real enjoyment to their lives. As a result they are not driven by the consumer society to buy the latest and great clothing trends, electronics and cars. 

Generally speaking, this leads minimalists to buy higher quality items less often. Also, because a minimalist has less stuff they are often content living in a smaller space and spending less on rent or a mortgage. 

Saving Is Important to Minimalists

Minimalists also view saving differently. Most people struggle to save a little bit of money each month but minimalists tend to save almost naturally, just because they buy less stuff. 

For my husband and I, saving has always been a priority but it’s also something we don’t think much about. When we are home living our normal lives we don’t eat out much or shop much. We are generally pretty thrifty with our entertainment too, keeping things like movies and concerts special treats instead of weekly occasions. 

Our saving habits have led to living a debt free life and some amazing trips and experiences! (More on that later.) 

Things Minimalists Do Differently When Gifting 

What do minimalists do differently when it comes to giving gifts? Well you may notice that your minimalist friend will focus their gifts more on experiences than physical items, even if a physical item in involved in the gift itself. 

For example, a minimalist might give you some yummy treats that will be gone after you consume them. They might give you fluffy socks or bath salts or lotions or a book you can enjoy. Their gifts might be additions to hobbies they already know you enjoy. Or their gifts might be gift cards for fun things to do in your area. 

What about when you give a minimalist a gift? Don’t worry! They will graciously accept it, but they are more likely to enjoy it if it is similarly experience focused. 

Things Minimalist Do Differently When They Travel

That focus on experiences tends to mean that most minimalists really enjoy traveling! In fact, their love of travel may be a big reason they want to live a simple life in the first place. And like I mentioned before, they save for it! 

My husband and I have gone a lot of cool place including the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Belize, Honduras, London, New York, Belgium and Paris (twice!). We have also taken a lot of closer trips to Disneyland, Colorado, and more. 

But more than just having the money to travel, minimalists travel completely differently too. What do I mean? 

Guess how many bags I took to Europe? Well, the first time I had a backpack and my husband had a backpack. The second time we each had a carry on and a personal item but that’s because we had a three day special event requiring special items and clothes. In fact, I’ve never traveled in more than a carry-on and a personal bag. I don’t even own a larger suitcase. How is it possible? Simple! Plan your outfits carefully and plan on doing laundry at some point if it’s a longer trip. 

That’s not the only thing that’s different about traveling like a minimalist. True to their love of experiences minimalists tend to spend money on tours, museums, food, and excursions instead of souvenirs. Even our souvinirs were mostly edible. We do have a little magnet collection though. 

Minimalists Work to Live

Now that you know a few of the things minimalists do differently it will be easier to see why I say minimalists work to live instead of living to work. The the rare exception of the minimalist who works with their passion most minimalists are not hyper-focused on their careers. They generally make enough money to pay the bills and then spend the rest of their time on things they enjoy and people they love. 

It does sound easier said than done, I understand that. With the rising cost of living we all have to work but since minimalists are generally spending a lot less money on car payments, mortgages, gadgets, toys, and random junk they tend to need less money and that means less work.

Minimalists Do More Fun Stuff

What do minimalists do with all that time? Well, most minimalists I know have hobbies they love. My husband is obsessed with fitness and games. I’m a writer and seamstress with a side of violin playing and one of my best friends is an amazing painter and digital artist. 

I know that I used to think I didn’t have time for creativity as an adult but when I started simplifying my obligations by owning less and learning to say no to stuff I didn’t actually want to do, I started to find little pockets of time that could fit the things that make me feel like myself again.

And it goes beyond hobbies. We have a lot of fun with our friends too! Almost every weekend we are booked with lunches and game nights, hikes and pool parties. Most minimalists are just like us, having lots of fun with life! 

Things Minimalists Do Differently: They Live!

Does it sound too good to be true? If so, why not give it a try! The whole point of minimalism is to get through the clutter, literally and figuratively. Minimalists focus their lives on what really matters. For me that’s the people I love, my creative hobbies, and travel. What is it for you? 

If you could work less, save more and travel to the places you’ve always dreamed of would it be worth owning an older phone, an older car, a smaller house, and a simple wardrobe? Would it be worth it to have more time with your family? To make new friends? To learn new skills? To make memories? 

If you want to truly live, give the minimalist lifestyle a try!

Not sure where to start? I can help! I wrote an e-book Doable Simplicity (minimalism for normal people) and it will help you simplify your stuff, your schedule, your hobbies, and even your goals so that your life can finally start looking more like your dreams!