Before starting my minimalist journey, I had a very basic notion of what it really was and no idea there could be more than two types of minimalists (at the time I was only aware of minimal outfits and home decor). In fact, to me minimalism simply meant getting rid of excess, valuing quality and having cleaner surroundings.
My first true contact with minimalism was when I started dating Cris, my boyfriend who is the human definition of minimalist. Slowly but surely, Cris started having a strong indirect influence over my style and how I wanted to organize my personal belongings.
Slowly but surely, I started adapting his organization methods and intensively observing how he seamlessly always maintained our house clean and structured. It blew my mind away from how easier it was to have a cleaning day, or how much better I felt to be in a clear living space.
Funny enough, that was one of those moments in which I felt like a grown-up (lol). Yes, my dear ladies, my happiness revolves around how clean my house remains and how organized my drawer maintains itself throughout the days.
Gone are the days a tequila shot made me excited…
As my obsession grew, and I started devouring YouTube videos, blogs and podcasts by other minimalism-lovers, I started to see the wide spectrum of lifestyles that fall into the minimalist category.
This made me realize that minimalism, more than a lifestyle, is a mindset. In fact, someone can approach minimalism in various different mindsets.
Type 1 The Nomad Minimalist
Think practicality!
This is a type I know too well from having changed countries 6 times in my life, and counting. The Nomad Minimalist lives in temporary places knowing they will move at one point or another. Because of that, it is not wise to stock up and buys many items, simply because later on it will be a huge pain to transport them to their next destination.
Type 2 The Frugal Minimalist
Think zero waste!
If you enjoy saving money and only spending on items you desperately need, you might be a frugal minimalist. These types of minimalists will find a way to re-purpose old bedsheets, to grow their own food, to reuse food containers.
They are not worried about fads or replace things that still work.
Type 3 The Green Minimalist
Think sustainability!
The green minimalist sometimes falls into the frugal category, because they can be reusing and repurposing items before thinking about throwing them away. These people will also be willing to pay more for sustainable products that also last longer, and will always run away from fast fashion stores, such as Zara or H&M.
Don’t expect to find them at the dollar store, rather than at a thrift shop buying second-hand items in order to reduce the amount of waste in the world.
Type 4 The Aesthetic Minimalist
Think clean surroundings!
This is where my boyfriend falls into: The aesthetic minimalist might not be looking to get rid of their possessions, but they are definitely interested in a clutter-free environment. These people go out of their way to keep a tidy home and their possessions to a minimum (or stored wisely out of sight until the moment it is needed)
Type 5 The Essentialist Minimalist
Think scarcity!
Their seeming goal in life is to have the least amount of possessions possible. These people live to buy the motto ‘’the fewer, the better’’ and they are constantly challenging themselves to live with fewer possessions.
They are satisfied with what they have and content with having enough with no need for having it all.
I found a great video here that clearly demonstrates how it is to live in a minimalist home, check it out!
Type 6 The Mindful Minimalist
Think spiritual evolution
I was surprised to find out that I was a minimalist before I ever knew about it. My entire life I have been practicing internal peace of mind and being a better person, even if this revolves around eliminating negative people and situations from my life, such as guilt or stress. In fact, shedding away excess allows the mindful person to find more purpose in their day-to-day life and better appreciate their own intellect, their surroundings, and their community.
And these are the 6 different types of minimalists that I am aware of.
Remember: It’s not always about size, space, and how much stuff you can get rid off. It’s about value and purpose. This method of only introducing value into your life will help you realize what you “don’t” necessarily have to spend money on.
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