Sometimes you just need a little encouragement on your minimalism journey, so we compiled a list of 29 minimalist quotes that will inspire and motivate you.
If you are at the beginning of your minimalism journey go through the list of minimalist quotes and see if that’s something you resonate with. Use it as the encouragement to start decluttering and implementing some of the minimalist practices.
If you are already practicing minimalism for some time, take a moment for yourself to reflect on all the hard work that you did and recharge your batteries.
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What is Minimalism?
Minimalism is a decision to live with less. You focus on the things, people, and experiences you value the most and work to let go of the rest.
Living a minimalist lifestyle enables you to simplify your life, and get rid of unnecessary distractions. It is a tool that can help you achieve freedom from materialism.
Contrary to popular belief, minimalism is not about the number of things you own, it is more about the quality and meaning behind the items you decide to keep.
What is a Minimalist Life Like?
Minimalists look to simplify their life and minimize distractions. They value simple things and try to be as intentional in their daily life as possible.
To me, for example, it is more important to live as stress-free as possible, than to have a lot of money. This is why I choose to have a job with fewer responsibilities that pays less.
Minimalists have their priorities set and work towards creating the life they want.
They like to have daily routines they follow and this way they can get rid of a lot of distractions.
Minimalists will also take a lot of time for something they value while cutting the time for something they don’t find so important. For example, they will slowly enjoy their morning routine and treasure every moment of it, but they won’t spend more than 5 minutes doing their make-up.
In short, minimalist life is full of abundance when it comes to experiences and treasured moments and is not focused on material possessions.
Minimalist Quotes
Learn from the wiser and more experienced ones about minimalism.
Below you will find minimalist quotes that will explain more clearly what minimalism is, and will show you the benefits of decluttering and owning less.
“If you ask me what minimalism is really about, I would say that it’s the altering of values – enter the small doors of minimalism and come out on the other side with big ideas.” – Fumio Sasaki
“The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are.” – Mother Teresa
“I’ve learned that minimalism is not about what you own, it’s about why you own it.” – Brian Gardner
“I’m a minimalist. I like saying the most with the least.” – Bob Newhart
“Minimalism is about an intentional search for happiness” – Melissa Canara Wilkins
“I’m a minimalist. I see things in simple ways… It’s human nature to define complexity as better. Well, it’s not.” – Gordon Willis
“Minimalism isn’t about removing the things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.” – Joshua Becker
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” – Will Rogers
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor.” – Jesus Christ
“Ultimately, minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can focus on life’s most important things—which actually aren’t things at all.” – Joshua Fields Millburn
“You only lose what you cling to.” – Buddha
“My riches consist, not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants.” – Joseph Brotherton
“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” – Rumi
“I make myself rich, by making my wants few.” – Henry David Thoreau
“It’s a very strange phenomenon, but when we reduce what we own and essentially ‘detox’ our house, it has a detox effect on our bodies as well.” – Marie Kondo
Aesthetic Minimalist Quotes
We created visuals for some of the most inspiring and beautiful minimalist quotes so you can save them and look at them when you feel demotivated and stuck.
You can also print them out and use them as posters in your home. But only if you like to have art on your walls 😉
“Minimalism is not a lack of something. It’s simply the perfect amount of something.” – Nicholas Burroughs
“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.” – Lope de Vega
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris
Simplicity Quotes
Minimalism and simple living go hand in hand. A lot of minimalists prefer a simple life and appreciate small things in life.
This set of simplicity quotes will encourage you to slow down and look around at the beauty of simple life and the world around you. Enjoy!
“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” – Socrates
“My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do.” – Francine Jay
“Declutter your mind, your heart, your home. Let go of the heaviness that is weighing you down. Make your life simple, but significant.” – Maria Defillo
“The simplest things are often the truest.” – Richard Bach
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” – Seneca
“He who hurries through life hurries to his grave.” – George R. R. Martin
“If one’s life is simple, contentment has to come. Simplicity is extremely important for happiness. Having few desires, feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital: satisfaction with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect yourself from the elements.” – The Dalai Lama
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves.” – Edwin Way Teale
“Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life.” – Katharine Fullerton Gerould
Ready to Start Your Minimalist Journey?
Use these quotes when you feel down or when you question whether you should pursue minimalism at all. Minimalist quotes will lift you up, invigorate you, and make you feel more positive about the world around you.
Save them on your phone or computer, write them as prompts in your journal or include them as a motivation in your planner. No matter how you use them, have them at hand and you will always have the support you need on your minimalism journey.
To help you start your minimalism journey, we compiled several minimalism guides for different life situations. Take a look at them:
Extreme Minimalism: Is It Worth the Trouble?
Four-Step Easy Minimalist Makeup Routine for Beginners
Minimalist Travel Packing List for Women: Ultimate Guide With Bonus Tips
30-Day Minimalism Challenge: Getting Started with Minimalism
Still have some doubts about minimalism? Leave them in the comments below!
