The minimalist lifestyle is a growing trend in 2024. From decluttering possessions to downsizing homes, traveling light, or embracing tiny living, you’ll find all sorts of minimalist lifestyle variations. Here are three unique minimalist lifestyle approaches.

#1 Minimalist Urges

“Food is really and truly the most effective medicine.”

Joel Fuhrman

We’re talking about mindful and minimal eating now.

Not a restrictive diet, but a minimalist approach to food. Calorie-dense foods, balanced nutrient intake, and reducing food waste are hallmarks of the minimalist eating lifestyle.

It’s gaining traction among minimalists who want to simplify their relationship with food.

Minimalist eating involves reducing meals to nutrient essentials and focusing on whole, unprocessed foods. No need for complex recipes with dozens of ingredients or foods that spoil quickly.

The idea is to eat what your body needs, avoid processed foods, and minimize waste through mindful consumption.

Contrary to popular belief, a healthy diet doesn’t require a colorful plate or vast variety.

After all, humans historically had limited access to diverse foods year-round.

Whether you follow a specific diet or not, most people can practice minimalist eating healthfully.

Just as you can streamline your wardrobe, food can be nourishing and simplified without an overabundance of ingredients or expensive grocery hauls.

#2 Minimalist Beauty

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”

Hans Hofmann

You can buy countless skincare and cosmetic products nowadays, but most are unnecessary and contain harsh chemicals.

Minimalist skincare is about using fewer products with fewer ingredients.

This approach allows your skin to regulate itself without interference from excessive products. The idea is that fewer, high-quality products can help your skin stay healthy and balanced.

The key is using gentle, beneficial ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals, preservatives, and fragrances that can irritate skin.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Leonardo da Vinci

Using a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen is often enough for healthy skin.

If you have specific concerns, you may need an additional product, but the goal is to keep your routine as minimal as possible.

Water and soap might be too minimal for some, but humans survived with just those two for centuries.

#3 Minimalist Body

“It is vain to do with more what can be done with less.”

William of Occam

No need for marathon gym sessions or grueling cardio routines.

The minimalist workout is a rising fitness trend. Minimalist workouts focus on fewer exercises performed with high intensity.

A typical routine includes 3 to 6 compound movements targeting all major muscle groups, keeping the workout short but effective.

These exercises can include squats, bench presses, deadlifts, pull-ups, rows, and overhead presses.

These movements can be done in as little as 15 minutes or extended to 30 minutes for a more intense workout.

Longer isn’t necessary unless you’re training for a specific athletic goal.

We’re talking health here, not bodybuilding, which often requires chemical assistance anyway.

You can also incorporate yoga or rowing for a full-body minimalist workout. Yoga builds flexibility and core strength, while rowing provides a challenging cardio workout.

No matter which exercises you choose, the idea is to focus on a few high-intensity movements. This means not only weight but also rep speed and controlled form.

The Bottom Line

The minimalist lifestyle can be applied to various aspects of life, from home organization to eating, self-care, and fitness.

These were three somewhat unique examples: minimalist eating, minimalist skincare, and minimalist workouts.

The fundamental principle of minimalism is simplicity, and the applications are limitless in our increasingly cluttered world.