Whether you’re a mom who likes to keep things simple or someone looking to embrace a minimalist lifestyle, Diane Boden’s new book, “Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity,” provides practical advice. In my book, “The Art of Happy Moving,” I share that I’m not a full minimalist. I’m a typical suburban mom with three kids and a house full of stuff. However, my family enjoys decluttering, organizing, and simplifying. While I may not fully embrace minimalism yet, I appreciate Diane Boden’s guide on how to become a minimalist mom. Here are five tips from her book to help simplify your life as you start your journey into minimalist motherhood.
Be mindful of your purchases
In “Minimalist Moms,” Boden talks about the moment she realized her parents spent a lot of money on things now sitting unused in their basement. It’s a common experience. How many of us have closets, attics, or basements filled with things we no longer use? We buy these items, but they end up forgotten. Boden suggests choosing quality over quantity when making purchases. Instead of buying four cheap pairs of flip-flops on sale that won’t last, opt for one nice pair of sandals that will endure the season.
Minimalist mom, minimalist child: Include your child in the process
Being a minimalist mom means doing minimalism together as a family. According to Boden, sharing your family values with your children from an early age is essential. Your kids learn from your example. Your child will notice if you emphasize the joy of buying experiences instead of things. When your child shows interest in something at a store, take a photo and add it to her holiday or birthday list. Your child learns from you, so involve her in the process at every age.
Stay away from free stuff.
You might feel tempted to grab the free insurance company keychain at the school fair just because it’s there and free! However, we both know that the keychain will probably end up in a junk drawer at home, never to be used again. Instead, practice walking away without taking anything. As Boden suggests, “The next time you’re offered free stuff at a conference, doctor’s office, bank, garage sale, or anywhere else, politely decline by saying ‘no, thank you'” (Boden, 80). Free items can only contribute to clutter in your home, so it’s better to avoid them.
Set boundaries on your screen time.
Being a minimalist mom means being in the moment and savoring a simpler life. While it might be tough, Boden suggests we limit our own screen time. “As minimalist moms, we not only need to clear out the physical things that weigh us down but mental ones, too,” Boden explains. “Get rid of the habit of scrolling through your days, and you’ll regain time you never realized you had” (Boden, 122-123). You can redirect your focus to more uplifting activities by decluttering your mind.
Slow down and live intentionally.
We can lead a more purposeful life with fewer things in our home and fewer thoughts in our minds. Pause. Cherish your kids. Cherish your partner. Breathe. Observe. “When we adopt a minimalist way of life, we prioritize what matters to us – our family, friends, belongings, and interests,” Boden explains (157). “Slowing down means staying in the present moment.”
Follow these five steps, and you can start your path to becoming a Minimalist Mom. Diane Boden’s first book, Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity, gives clear advice on being a minimalist mom in various scenarios, from decluttering sentimental items to managing your children’s artwork. She offers insights on incorporating minimalism during pregnancy and tips on practicing it during the holidays. Diane covers everything to assist you in achieving the minimalist mom life you want.
