People are getting into the minimalist lifestyle as they are getting tired of consumerism and the rat race that exists in the world today.

It has now been characterized by what we have and how much we have. The emphasis on relationships has gotten diminished to the point where we now call it “The Me Generation.”

Keeping up with others has become the standard way to live. But being a minimalistic person can change that.

 

What Is A Minimalist Person?

A minimalist person is someone who wants to have less material things. They don’t want the latest electronic gadget or a new piece of furniture.

They are happy with what they have and don’t continuously crave more, or better, or bigger things. They want to simplify their lives as much as possible. Their character reflects satisfaction within themselves, and they don’t feel the need to keep up with others in this sense.

It’s basically a mindset that is about being content with what you have, as much as you can, and not continually wanting more.

To determine if you are a minimalist person, here are 12 common characteristics that minimalists have, so you can decide if a minimalist lifestyle is right for you.

 

17 Characteristics Of A Minimalist Person

 

1. You are turned off by American consumerism.

You don’t want the latest electronic gadget, and you don’t want a better car. You aren’t interested in “keeping up with the joneses.” You have different values in life, and your minimalist character reflects that.

You only want what you absolutely need, and you understand the difference between those needs and wants.

That’s not to say that you do not want to buy anything, but you are very careful about what you do decide to buy and are intentional with your purchases.

 

2. A cluttered home stresses you out.

You want to have as little possessions as possible, and your home is not filled with things that don’t hold value.

When your home is cluttered, and items are left all over, you feel stressed out and anxious. You keep your belongings in order, and everything has its purpose.

You get rid of things you absolutely do not need, and you are conscientious of what you do bring inside your home.

 

3. You want to be even more content with what you have.

You are content with what you have, but you want to strive for everyday contentment. You realize that you do not need more to be peaceful and content.

You tend to evaluate what you have and know you do not need more. You do not need the latest iPhone, and you acknowledge that your current phone serves its purpose fine for you.

You see the newest 80 inches Smart TV, and you know that your 42-inch TV works just as well. You want to find contentment in the small and big things in life.

 

4. You teach your kids the difference between wants and needs.

Your children want the latest gadget and toy. They want what their friends have and what they see on TV.

You explain to them that they get their toys on their birthdays and holidays and say that a new toy might be nice, but after a short time it becomes an old toy, and then they will want more.

You teach them to value the toys that they do have and to be patient about getting new ones. You explain needs, like food, clothing, and shelter, and how it is essential to have those needs met.

Toys, electronics, and games are wants, and they are less important to have.

They need to know that some desires are acceptable as long as they don’t overwhelm their thoughts and minds. It’s important to you to teach them to be a minimalistic person.

 

5. Having too busy of a schedule stresses you out.

You like to have a quiet and slow-paced life. You don’t want to be always on the run.

You like to keep a flexible schedule, and you hate the feeling that there is not enough time in the day. Keeping a tight, constant schedule fills you with anxiety because you just want that slow-paced life.

 

6. You hate it when it takes too long to clean up the house.

The more stuff that you have, the harder it is to keep it clean and neat. You hate running around, trying to keep each thing in its proper place.

Keeping fewer items in the house makes your job a lot easier, and the less you have, the less you have to pick up after.

 

7. You are willing to go without things.

You don’t need that newest phone, even if maybe you would like to have it. But of course, you know that you do not need it.

You see the latest outfit in the store, and you love it, but you think about the clothes in your closet, and you know that it’s not necessary to buy at the moment.

You know you will be happier to have fewer clothes, which means less laundry and work. You feel peaceful in your decision not to buy it.

 

8. You feel there is never enough time in a day.

You hate busyness, and you want to get your assigned projects done for the day.

Having downtime is essential to you, and when there are always things to get done, you feel overwhelmed.

You like to be organized and follow a schedule, but you don’t like your schedule to be jam-packed with activities to get done.

 

9. Wasting time get you frustrated.

You try to be intentional with your time. You like to get what needs to get done, and you like to spend your time wisely.

Wasting time on things that are not important to you get you very frustrated.

 

10. You want to make time for meaningful things.

Having a lot of things takes up our time. Having to dust the knick-knacks and having to move items around…takes up extra time.

Having a full schedule takes away time way for significant and meaningful things to get done.

You value family time more than possessions and endless activities.

Making time for meaningful activities makes you happy and content.

 

11. You live for today.

You don’t linger in the past, and reminiscing does not take up a lot of your time.

Living for today includes not keeping too many sentimental things.

You do keep essential items, but you leave room for things in the present time.

Getting rid of the excess clutter from the past will help you stay centered and focused on the important stuff now and be the minimalistic person you want to be.

 

12. You spend less money.

By not having everything you want right now, allows you to spend less money and save more. When you have excessive things, then you know you will have less money.

Fewer things now mean more money in the pocket because there is less to repair, keep up with, and to clean.

You will have more financial freedom, and you will have more money for significant and meaningful things in life.

Spending less also means less debt, and less debt means peace of mind.

13. You don’t have time for anything that doesn’t matter.

Minimalists know how to prioritize their time and focus on what truly matters. You simply don’t have time for things that don’t add value to your life or help you move closer to your intentions.

You might turn down a social event or miss a deadline at work if it means you can spend more time with loved ones or work on a project you’re passionate about.

14. You know that less is more.

Minimalists know that having fewer possessions doesn’t mean having less of a life. In fact, it often means the opposite. You understand that material possessions are not what bring happiness and fulfillment. Instead, you tend to focus on experiences, relationships, and personal growth.

15. You don’t believe in the saying “work hard, play hard”.

Minimalists know that work and play are not two separate things. You see work as an opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to something larger than yourself.

And you see play as an opportunity to relax, recharge, and connect with the people and things that you love.

16. You understand that life is not a competition.

Minimalists know that life is not a competition. You don’t feel the need to compare yourself to others, and this frees you up to focus on your own journey.

You know that we all have our own unique gifts and talents, and there is no need to compare or compete.

You’re not trying to outdo anyone, and you’re not trying to impress anyone. You’re simply living your life the best way you know-how.

17. You focus on quality over quantity.

Minimalists know that it’s better to have a few quality things than a bunch of cheap, disposable items.

You’d rather have one well-made piece of furniture than four cheap ones that fall apart. You’d rather have few close friends than a large group of acquaintances.

You understand that quality is more important than quantity.

Final Thoughts

Now, of course, these characteristics are all changeable and don’t define everyone.

Choosing a minimalist lifestyle is always dependent on your values and needs in life.

For those leaving the material, consumer ridden and rat race of life can bring a strong sense of contentment that you won’t find in the materialistic lifestyle.

But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that living a minimalist lifestyle and being a minimalistic person can bring lasting peace and happiness. Ah, the more of less.