10 Things I DON’T OWN OR BUY as a Minimalist (updated)

Summary

Aki, a minimalist school teacher from Japan, shares an updated list of 10 items she no longer owns or buys to simplify her life. She discusses practical alternatives like using chopsticks instead of forks, replacing paper towels with reusable cloths, and cooking rice in a clay pot rather than a rice cooker. Aki emphasizes decluttering, eco-friendly choices, and creating a cleaner, more comfortable living space. Her goal is to inspire viewers to review their own possessions and embrace a minimalist lifestyle for a simpler, healthier life.

Takeaways

• 📚 No Bookshelf: The speaker avoids bookshelves to reduce distractions and keep the room simple, storing books in a box instead.
• 🍴 No Forks: The speaker uses chopsticks for everything, finding them a minimalist and convenient alternative to forks.
• 🧹 No Mats or Rugs: Mats and rugs attract dust and hair, making cleaning more difficult, so the speaker prefers a bare floor with tatami pieces for easy maintenance.
• 🌀 No Vacuum Cleaner: Without rugs or mats, the speaker finds that cleaning can be done effectively with a dusting mop and lint roller.
• 🛋️ No Sofa: Sofas take up too much space, so the speaker uses a folding mattress that doubles as a sofa when needed.
• 🧺 No Laundry Bag: Instead of using a laundry bag, the speaker hangs laundry in a net, making the process more efficient.
• 🧴 No Store Bought Fabric Softener: The speaker makes homemade fabric softener from citric acid, essential oils, and glycerin to avoid chemicals and be environmentally friendly.
• 🧻 No Paper Towels: The speaker uses Sarashi cloth, a traditional Japanese reusable fabric, instead of disposable paper towels.
• 🔊 No Music Sound System: With a small room, the speaker finds laptop speakers sufficient for music and video needs, eliminating the need for external speakers.
• 🍚 No Rice Cooker: The speaker prefers to cook rice in a kettle or clay pot for better flavor, avoiding the use of an electric rice cooker.

Q & A

Why does Aki not own a bookshelf?

Aki believes that bookshelves take up room space and can become distractions, as they can tempt you to read books instead of focusing on tasks. To avoid this, Aki stores books in a box to keep them out of sight and limit the number of books owned.

What is Aki's alternative to using forks?

Aki uses chopsticks instead of forks for daily eating, including for meals like pasta. Aki finds chopsticks to be a more minimal and convenient tool once you get used to them.

Why did Aki get rid of mats and rugs?

Aki stopped using mats and rugs because they easily accumulate dust and hair, making cleaning troublesome. Without these, Aki can clean the floor more quickly and efficiently.

How does Aki clean the floors without a vacuum cleaner?

Aki uses a dusting mop and a large lint roller for daily cleaning. For more thorough cleaning, Aki wipes the floor with a wet cloth instead of using a vacuum cleaner.

What does Aki use instead of a traditional sofa?

Aki uses a GOKUMIN folding mattress as both a bed and a sofa. When folded, the mattress serves as a sofa for sitting, reading, or playing the ukulele.

How does Aki handle laundry without using a laundry bag?

Aki hangs a laundry net in the closet and places clothes directly in it, eliminating the need for a separate laundry bag. When it's time to do laundry, Aki zips the net closed and throws it into the washing machine.

Why does Aki avoid using store-bought fabric softeners?

Aki avoids store-bought fabric softeners because they can reduce fabric water absorption and may contain chemicals that cause skin problems. Instead, Aki makes homemade fabric softener using citric acid, essential oil, and glycerin.

What does Aki use instead of paper towels?

Aki uses a Sarashi cloth instead of paper towels. This traditional Japanese cloth is water-absorbent, cheap, and can be torn into pieces by hand. It can be washed and reused, making it an eco-friendly alternative.

Why did Aki stop using a music sound system like a BOSE speaker?

Aki stopped using a BOSE speaker because the room is small, and the sound from Aki’s MacBook speakers is sufficient for listening to music or watching videos. Aki finds this more minimal and suitable for small spaces.

How does Aki prepare rice without a rice cooker?

Aki now cooks rice in a kettle or clay pot, finding it more delicious compared to using a rice cooker or electric pressure cooker. Although it takes more time, Aki prefers the taste and experience of preparing rice this way.