Hello there, everyone!

So you have heard about minimalist living-elegant Instagram homes, the capsule wardrobes, and people who say they live with only 20 things (I mean, how?!). Maybe you have even considered giving it a go and living a minimalist life but stopped because, well, it seemed a little blah.

You might have also asked yourself, "Wait… does that mean I have to live in an empty white box with one spoon and no personality?"

Minimalism has gotten a bit of a reputation, and not all of it is fair. So today, I am here to bust some of the biggest myths about minimalism (and no, minimalism isn't really what you have been thinking all this while)!

Let me stop you right there. Living minimalist doesn't mean giving up joy, colour, or your personality. In fact, it's the opposite because it helps you understand the importance of creating space-mentally, emotionally, and physically-for what truly matters to you.

And whether you are just curious or seriously considering a more intentional lifestyle, today, let's clear the air once and for all, with zero judgment and maybe a few laughs along the way. 😄

Myth 1: Minimalism means getting rid of all your stuff

No, that's not even close to what minimalism and minimalist living is actually about.

Living a minimalist life isn't about throwing everything away or giving up on everything you own or wish to-it's about keeping what matters. If you love your book collection or your colourful art wall, keep it! You can let go of anything that doesn't add value to your life because minimalism is about bringing you closer to what adds value.

Minimalism will inspire you to eliminate the clutter that doesn't serve you, not the things that bring you joy.

Myth 2: Minimalism is cold, white, and monochromatic

We have all seen the stark Pinterest boards, but guess what? Minimalism doesn't have only to mean beige or white.

Minimalism isn't against the idea of living without colours or not surrounding yourself with the things that reflect your personality and add that extra touch. Your space can still be warm, cosy, colourful, or totally eclectic. It's true many minimalists prefer white or pastel shades over dark colours, but this is no rule, and living as a minimalist doesn't require you to change your personality.

While clean aesthetics are popular, minimalist living is about intentional choices, not a colour palette. The purpose is to help you live a more intentional life, and anything that doesn't overwhelm you counts. Add that fuzzy mustard throw or the teal wall- have zero guilt-but the only thing necessary is that it should be something you love and make you happy.

Myth 3: It's only for single people or millennials

If there is one totally false claim that I have been hearing about minimalism, it is that a family person cannot embrace minimalist living. Hilarious!

Minimalism works for anyone-families, parents, couples, retirees, singles, clueless, happy alone- living as a minimalist can fit beautifully into any season of life and is for anyone who wishes to experience it. I introduced it into my life many years after my marriage, and to be honest, it's a better game-changer for families because it helps manage the chaos and better juggle the busy schedules, toys, and madness.

And once you start practicing living a minimalist life, it doesn't mean your child cannot have more toys, or you should have only five utensils. It's just that minimalism inspires you not to fill your lives with unnecessary things because it is in fashion or is the latest trend. Living minimally means living with what serves you a purpose and letting go of the excess through donation or charity because someone else might need it more.

Less stuff = less stress, so fill your homes with what matters.

Myth 4: You have to count your items

Haha, unless you want to, there's no rulebook for minimalist living.

Living a minimalist life doesn't mean you are only allowed two pairs of shoes, ten pieces of clothing, or five books only. Sure, some people love tracking what they own, but for the rest of us, minimalism is more about mindset than math. It's about cutting excess and making space for quality over quantity, not counting your socks. Keep what you love, and let go of the rest; no calculators are needed.

The concept of living minimalist is about having things that you actually use and redirecting anything that can be substituted toward someone in need.

Myth 5: It's all about the look

Here's the deal: aesthetics are a bonus, not the point.

Of course, there is no harm if you are an aesthetics lover, but minimalism focuses more on how your spacefeelsrather than how it looks. Minimalism is about living with clarity and less mental clutter and not just living for that Instagram-worthy photo.

Anyway, your home feels peaceful and purposeful, and it works for you-even if it's not photo-perfect-you win. Because your home should be a place where you like to come back happy, and anything that makes you happy is the ultimate goal of living a minimalist lifestyle.

Myth 6: You can't be a shopper and a minimalist

Actually… you can!

Being minimalist doesn't mean you stop buying things or cannot collect the things you love. Instead, it means that you shop more intentionally and cut down on things that you do not love. When you stop spending randomly, you find more money, space, and energy for the things you actually love.

All of us have only limited resources, and embracing a minimalist lifestyle will help us find the space and resources for the things that add meaning to our lives.

Buy less, choose well, and don't impulse-grab things that end up in the back of the closet.

Myth 7: Minimalism is expensive

This one always cracks me up. While some say minimalist living is expensive, few actually believe that minimalism is equal to living in scarcity, and the truth is that living as a minimalist is neither.

Being a minimalist doesn't mean never shopping again or not buying it unless it's an expensive price tag. Contrary to all of it, minimalist living encourages you just to shop smarter and choose things that can have multiple purposes or are timeless instead of choosing the latest trends, fast fashion, or randomly without a thought. When you make more intentional choices, there are fewer impulse buys and trust me, that's a blessing for your wallet and closet.

Living as a minimalist is about buying less, reusing more, and avoiding filling up your spaces with distractions.

A personal learning? Minimalism has helped me make my life more intentional (and happy) by not depriving me of comfort but redirecting me towards quality.

H3 Myth 8: Minimalism means no fun or personality

Says who?! I am living a minimalist life and am said to have the most colourful personality in my circles! No kidding; meet me, and you will know.

Just because we do not like to have excess around us or recycle stuff doesn't mean we do not have emotions or cannot feel. Minimalism has actually helped me understand the importance of experiences and gestures over materials and has made my true style shine through.

I am a person who respects other people's time, efforts, and opinions, and if I feel participating in a particular conversation or gathering doesn't serve me, I politely excuse myself. But that doesn't mean I do not know how to have fun or do not have emotions. It simply means I invest myself in people, places, occasions, conversations, and relationships that are in sync with my beliefs, values, and principles.

And when you are not buried in things you do not find necessary, your space (and life!) gets to reflect what you actually love.

Myth 9: You have to be perfect at it

There's no such thing as a "perfect minimalist" and when you start living a minimalist life, you actually get to taste the real meaning of freedom.

Yes, minimalism helps you achieve the freedom to live the way you want and invest yourself in the things you love. And it's not a competition you have to win or reach tomorrow. Minimalism is a journey; some days, your space can feel Zen, while other days, laundry and deadlines can explode. And having both days is completely okay.

Minimalist living doesn't restrict you or give you rules to follow; it just gives you a direction to live with a purpose.

Myth 10: It's all or nothing

Minimalism is not an extreme sport where you need to play with full might, or you will lose. It's not about making changes overnight, and anyone who says minimalism isn't for you if you do not dive in fully doesn't understand minimalism.

You can and should start small-maybe declutter one drawer or stop overcommitting to your schedule because these little shifts will slowly add to that big impact in your life.

So, what's the real deal with minimalism?

It's personal. It's practical. And it's powerful.

Minimalist living isn't about living in a blank space or cutting joy out of your life. It's about cutting out the noise-so you can hear what really matters.

So go ahead-ditch the myths, keep your life cosy, and make minimalism your own. 💛

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This blog was written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023. Being on the minimalism journey is helping her find her "focus" amidst the chaos.