Minimizing the things

Avoiding overconsumption using minimalist practices

Happy New Year!

Some might think it’s too late for this greeting, but since this is my first time appearing in your inbox this year, I’d say it still stands.

I decided to ease into 2025 by taking a few things off my plate for a few weeks—hence my absence. But it feels like so much has already happened this year, with each day bringing a news story more alarming than the last.

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One incident that really moved me was the L.A. fires in January. I don’t personally know anyone who was affected, but it was heartbreaking to see people fleeing their homes, leaving everything behind.

I saw posts from those who had lost their beautiful homes and belongings—all gone in an instant. But the video that really stuck with me looked like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie: hundreds of abandoned cars lined a major road as if their owners had to suddenly leave on foot. The gridlock was so severe that a bulldozer had to clear the cars out of the way. I don’t know much about cars, but they all looked expensive—once prized possessions, now reduced to a pile of scrap.

I kept thinking about the people who had bought those cars. The money they spent, the pride they felt in owning something they had worked for—only to leave it all behind when their survival depended on it.

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That got me thinking about our relationship with material things. As someone who is chronically online, I’ve started noticing what I’d call a crisis of overconsumption. From beauty influencers drowning in PR packages to people flaunting excessive collections of bags, watches, perfumes, and even Stanley cups—while I judge them, I also have to examine my own habits.

As a self-proclaimed fashion girlie, I’ve always loved clothes, shoes, and accessories, which led to a minor shopping addiction. I’d spend hours browsing shopping websites, buying things I didn’t need.

I remember once ordering five pairs of Jeffrey Campbell shoes when they were all the rage. I also remember never wearing any of them because they weren’t really my style. After years of wasting money on things I didn’t actually love, I finally accepted that I had to change my shopping habits—lest I end up broke.

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I first came across the concept of minimalism about ten years ago when a friend shared his stories from Davos. He mentioned meeting someone who owned only one of each household item - so 1 spoon, 1 fork, 1 plate, etc- with a total of fewer than 100 possessions. I thought it was extreme, but the idea of living with less intrigued me.

A few years later, I discovered The Minimalists through their Netflix documentary. They have a website with some great resources such as their 16 rules for living with less, and I’ve been applying some of these rules to curb my own overconsumption ever since.

Now, I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist (a friend literally called me a maximalist yesterday), but adopting minimalist principles has made me more mindful of my relationship with material things.

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The Value of Your Values

Values: Principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life.

Getting clearer on what truly matters to me has been the biggest factor in shaping how I spend my time, money, and resources. One thing that’s become clear in recent years is that I care more about how my life feels than how it looks. This means I’m less likely to buy things just because they’re trendy. Instead, I now spend money on what feels good and functions well, rather than on what looks impressive to someone else.

In the past, I’d buy new clothes for every holiday or major event just to avoid repeating outfits. Now, I focus on buying things I genuinely love—so I feel good in them, no matter how many times I wear them.

Valuing quality over quantity also means I’m willing to spend more on fewer, well-made pieces rather than buying a lot of cheap things that don’t last.

Small Habits That Help

Keeping things in sight. Having my items where I can see them is a great reminder when I’m tempted to buy something new. Seeing the boots I haven’t worn in two years staring at me whenever I open my coat closet is enough to stop me from buying another pair. Plus, keeping things visible makes me more likely to use them.

Buying secondhand. I love a good bargain, and secondhand shopping is a great way to score one. Before buying certain items, I check Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and other resale platforms—I’ve found some amazing deals this way. I also love thrifting at local charity shops, where I’ve found some truly unique pieces.

Clinging Less to Things. I also try to practice letting go of things that no longer serve me—whether it’s clothes I once loved but never wear, sentimental items collecting dust, or things I’ve been keeping in the hopes that they might fit someday. It’s not always easy, but I remind myself that holding onto something just in case or because I used to love it isn’t a good enough reason to keep it. I’m constantly donating, reselling, or gifting items to people who will actually use them, and it’s been surprisingly freeing. The less I cling to stuff, the lighter I feel.

Speaking of reselling, my friend runs the best consignment store in Lagos - @thereloved.rack - so if you are in Lagos and looking to sell some of your things, they might be able to help.

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I really liked this tweet and the response because it perfectly summarises how I feel on this topic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending your money on the things you like, but the truth is, you probably don’t need all the things you want to be happy. At the same time, tomorrow really and truly isn’t guaranteed so instead of needlessly depriving yourself or going overboard with acquiring things, you can choose a more conscious approach that supports the enjoyment of your life with the things that make you happy, while you still can.

Recently, I listened to

Episode 389 of The Minimalists podcast: "Attached to Clothing." A listener sent in a question about having too many clothes, and the hosts shared some insightful responses. They also talked about Project 333, a challenge where you pick 33 favourite clothing items and wear only those for three months. The idea is that by the end of the challenge, you realize you don’t need as many clothes to be happy. I don’t plan to try it (I know myself), but I think it’s an interesting experiment.

Recently, I read

Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson. This was recommended by a wise friend who was kind enough to send me all four books in the series. It’s a popular one—I’ve seen people reading it on the train or at the airport, and the title always makes me chuckle.

The book explores different personality types and why we sometimes struggle to connect with people who think differently from us. I enjoyed sorting my loved ones into different personality colors, and I can say it has definitely helped me understand some people better. The descriptions are so spot-on that they’re impossible to miss. I’d definitely recommend it!

Life lately.

I recently returned from the most wholesome trip to Lagos. I can not believe how expensive everything has gotten and the suffering is more palpable than I remember but I had the most reinvigorating time and I am grateful to all my loves who received me with love and reminded me who I am.

It feels good to be writing again. I had briefly considered quitting the newsletter altogether but it feels like necessary practice for when I start writing full time. This break also reminded me how easy it is to lose what you do not use because it took me longer than usual to produce this one but I am glad I finally managed.

As I was writing this, I heard about the passing of an acquaintance and it reminded me once again how fickle all of this is. So I thought I would remind you to wring every last drop of enjoyment out of every minute because the next one really is not guaranteed.

Here’s wishing you a lifetime of consciously consuming the things that make your life more enjoyable.

Chioma.