Okay babes, let’s get real. Last weekend, I tried to find my favorite black turtleneck in what I lovingly call my “closet avalanche.” Spoiler: It took 27 minutes, I cried twice, and found a pair of jeans I forgot existed (RIP 2017 me). That’s when I snapped. Fast forward to today? My entire wardrobe fits in a carry-on. No, I’m not moving to Bali – I just discovered the crack cocaine of adulting: minimalism.
Let’s rewind. My “stuff” used to define me. Cute coffee mugs? 42. Lipsticks? A rainbow graveyard. That dress I swore I’d wear “someday”? Still tagged. But here’s the tea ☕ – science says clutter spikes cortisol (stress hormones) by 17% according to UCLA researchers. My anxiety wasn’t just ~vibes~ – it was literally buried under fast fashion hauls.
The turning point? My friend Zoe (name changed because she’d kill me) hosted dinner in her studio. Her place felt like a spa – clean surfaces, intentional decor, zero IKEA receipts from 2015. She owned 15 kitchen tools TOTAL. Meanwhile, my garlic press hadn’t seen garlic since the Obama administration.
So I Marie Kondo’d my life – but make it millennial. Here’s what happened:
1. The Great Purge
I emptied everything. Everything. That neon crop top from 2016 that “might come back”? Donated. The 11th white tee? Bye. Kept only what fit right now (body-neutrality queen 👑) and sparked actual joy. Pro tip: If you haven’t used/worn it in 6 months, yeet it.
2. The Mindshift
Minimalism isn’t deprivation – it’s curation. Like editing a TikTok until it’s chef’s kiss. I invested in 7 quality basics instead of 30 Shein pieces. Surprise: My “I have nothing to wear” meltdowns vanished.
3. Space = Mental Clarity
My bedroom went from “hoarder chic” to Scandinavian retreat. My morning routine dropped from 45 mins to 20 – no digging for matching socks. Bonus: My creativity exploded. Started painting again! Who knew floor space = brain space?
But here’s the real magic – minimalism exposed my consumption triggers. Those 3am Amazon sprees? Band-Aids for work stress. The 14th eyeshadow palette? Seeking validation. Now I journal instead of shop. Savings account? Thriving. Carbon footprint? Shrinking.
Critics say minimalism is privileged – valid! But it’s not about buying $200 linen shirts. It’s questioning: Do I need this, or did capitalism trick me? For every item I keep, I ask: Does this serve my best self?
Final verdict: My life’s lighter – and not just my closet. Less stuff = more adventures, savings, and peace. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to actually live in that freed-up mental space… after one last scroll through Depop. 😉