The Minimalist's Top 5 Must-Haves

The minimalism Reddit strikes again! User hereforsillystuff asked the community what their top 5 must-have items are as minimalists. The answers vary, but one thing is for sure: Minimalists love their e-reader.

11 Minimalists’ Top 5 Must-Have Items

Here are eleven people’s take on what their five most essential belongings are. What are yours? Let me know in a comment below!

1. A shadow

This minimalist just needs to exist above ground and chill with their cat. Relatable.

Kindle, tea, a shadow, a cat on my lap, and food in the fridge

2. Victorinox Supertool

Top 5

Victorinox Supertool my only toolset
Headphones as I listen to a lot if podcasts, watch films travelling
Phone as I actually use it for almost anything, eg travelling, podcasts, films, hiking trails, language learning etc
Wok - Pot/Pan for cooking, steaming, roasting, even baking All-In-One
passport

Okay, I looked into it, and this does seem like the only toolset you’d ever need:

Shop Supertools

3. A solid backpack

Top 5 essentials for me:

**Quality Backpack**: It’s my mobile home. It’s been with me for 5 years, fits everything—laptop, water bottle, even groceries. Losing it would be like losing an organ.
**E-book Reader**: Replaced a bookshelf of impulse buys. Also, a lifesaver during awkward social events.
**Cast Iron Skillet**: Because suddenly I can't live without making one-pot meals that last all week.
**Good Headphones**: Drowns out unwanted noise and people. Bliss.
**Multi-tool**: Found it in a junk drawer and now it fixes everything from wobbly chairs to my existential crises.

4. I can’t see without my glasses!!

I need my glasses, my meds for Restless Leg Syndrome, my good footwear, my daybed, and my kindle.

5. Electric kettle

If you’re familiar with these Reddit round-ups, you know that people take their electric kettle EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY.

I think there’s people in this sub that would look at my list and think I’m indulgent as hellllllll, maybe I am but it took me a long time to think of anything besides the basics OP listed. Note they even say “extra” beside them !!!

Need:

Ear buds
Electric kettle
Second duvet (identical to first, layering in winter, covers a hole in the first one)
Extra chair (people come over in even numbers, I’m the odd one)
Throw rugs (I have hardwood floors, they designate “areas” in my home with a weird layout, but without furniture)

6. Ye Olde Holy Word

Do you have one book you’ll always keep as a physical copy? Let me know below!

7. Libby

Need: tea, cat, loaned audiobooks, firm mattress, craft projects

This user did not specifically say they get their loaned audiobooks from Libby, but I wanted to give Libby a shoutout. Because it’s awesome.

If you have a library card, download the Libby app PRONTO!! Audiobooks and ebooks for FREE!

8. Plants

Top 5:

Basic repair items (screwdriver, drill, etc). They can be easy to store and something will inevitably need to be fixed, so good to have.
A decent coffeepot. Added to that, a milk frother.
A really comfy bed and pillow. One of the few things worth truly spending money on.
Plants. They help the space feel alive, and keep me happy.
Blue land cleaning products. Hand soap, dish detergent, etc. They are eco neutral, store really nicely, and effective. I have their cleaning sprays too. Totally worth it.

I strongly feel that no household is complete without at least one plant, and the plant should have a name.

Is there such a thing as too many houseplants? Minimalist Plant Collection

9. Pew pew and a bowl

Just keep gold, gun, weed, bowl,clothes, food, pokemon cards.🤙

Sean, those are seven things, but I’ll allow it.

10. Stuffed animals

RETWEET! When I walk into someone’s bedroom and they have zero stuffed animals, I’m worried.

Need:
-Things to play my music on/Internet
-My stuffed animals.
-A bed frame (how people sleep on the floor is beyond me, like, what happens if you need surgery or get hurt for whatever reason? What about old age? That just seems very inconvenient)
-A water bottle constantly at my side.
-My air purifier. Not only to try to clear the filth in the air, but also because I can't fall asleep without some sort of soft noise in the background.

11. Bike

Gotta have that transport, and bonus points for cardio and making green choices!

Essential: Water bottle Kindle Headphones Bike Notebook

What do all minimalists need?

It seems like most minimalists need an e-reader and a beverage of some kind, and they’re pretty much good to go!

Here are 10 things minimalists regret decluttering.

The Minimalist’s Top 5 Must-Haves