My Three Years of Minimalist Living
Originally written by Chocolate Dog Heart from Guangdong on January 19, 2023
The Meaning of Minimalist Living
The true measure of a person's wealth isn't just about money or possessions - it's about our intrinsic value when everything else is stripped away. My journey into minimalism wasn't about blindly discarding possessions, but rather about thoughtful organization and meaningful use of items.
Core principles:
- Anti-consumerism
- Environmental consciousness
- Sustainability
- Personal preference
Six Aspects of My Minimalist Life
1. My Color Palette
I maintain a strict color scheme of:
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Green
- Blue
These colors apply to:
- Clothing (minimal, comfort-focused)
- Decorations
- Daily items
- Digital interfaces
The palette is both personally pleasing and practically efficient, eliminating decision fatigue in styling.
2. Essential Electronics
Frequently used devices:
- Laptop
- iPad
- Boox e-reader
- Bluetooth speaker
- Huawei P40 Pro
- Huawei Watch GT3
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Earphones
As a woman in STEM, I maintain these devices for their practical utility rather than as status symbols.
3. Digital Minimalism
Phone management:
- Always on silent mode since middle school
- Essential apps in elderly mode for simplicity
- No notifications enabled
- Regular app cleanup
- Minimal social media usage
4. Room Organization
Principles:
- Only daily essentials on desk (tissues, phone, water bottle)
- Everything else stored in cabinets
- Clean, organized spaces
5. Focused Interests
Evolution from multiple hobbies to focused pursuits:
- Previously: guitar, ukulele, go, martial arts, dance, soccer, badminton, etc.
- Now: Focused on just two primary interests
- Quality over quantity approach
6. Personal Care Items
Hair Care
- Shampoo
- Hair dryer
- Hair ties (No brush or conditioner)
Facial Care
- HBN skincare set
- Handmade soap
- Papaya cream
- Essential oils
- Sunscreen (minimal use)
- Three lipsticks
Body Care
- Handmade soap
- Towel
- Perfume
Dental Care
- Retainer
- Electric toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
Recent Reflection
A recent travel experience with friends highlighted the contrast between minimalist living and social media-driven lifestyle:
- Friends focused on constant photo-taking
- Excessive social media posting
- Limited real engagement with experiences
This reinforced my commitment to meaningful experiences over digital validation.
Core Philosophy
Focus on:
- Lifelong learning
- Long-term perspective
- Minimalism
- Creativity
- Contribution
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