Why I embraced minimalism

Why I Embraced a Life of Minimalism as a British Bangladeshi Makeup Artist in London

Hello lovely people! Shahena here, and today I’m sharing something a bit different from my usual bridal makeup tips and hooded eye tutorials. I want to talk about minimalism—a lifestyle choice that’s completely transformed my life, both personally and professionally.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. A makeup artist talking about minimalism? Doesn’t that seem a bit contradictory? Well, stick with me, because this journey from cluttered chaos to intentional living is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, and there’s a good chance my story will resonate with you too.

Growing Up Bengali in London: Where More Is Always More

Let me set the scene. I grew up in East London in a traditional Bengali household, and if you’ve ever stepped foot in a Bengali home, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Our homes are bursting with life, laughter, love, and stuff. Mountains of stuff.

In our culture, possessions don’t just fill space—they tell a story. They’re symbols of success, hard work, and having “made it” in this country. And honestly? I completely understand why.

A living room with not one, not two, but three sofas draped in elaborate covers? You’re doing well for yourself.

A wardrobe overflowing with saris for every possible occasion—weddings, Eid, pujas, “just in case” events? That’s wealth.

A chest freezer in the garage stuffed with homemade samosas, singara, and enough biriyani to feed the entire street? You’ve absolutely won at life.

My parents, like so many immigrant families, worked incredibly hard to build a life here in the UK. Every possession was a badge of honour, tangible proof that they’d succeeded despite the challenges, the discrimination, and the odds stacked against them. How could I possibly judge that?

But as I got older—especially as I built my career as a bridal makeup artist here in London—I began to notice something. The physical clutter around me was starting to mirror my mental and emotional state. It wasn’t just about the stuff anymore. It was about the pressure to hold onto everything, whether it served me or not, whether I needed it or not, simply because letting go felt… wrong somehow.

The Breaking Point: When Success Felt Suffocating

For years, I didn’t question any of it. I just thought, This is how Bengali families live. This is normal. I’d go shopping for things I didn’t really need, feel a brief rush of excitement, then immediately feel guilty about the purchase. Sound familiar?

I held onto sentimental items—birthday cards from 15 years ago, outfits I wore once in 2008, makeup products I’d never use again but couldn’t bear to throw away because they were “limited edition.” And let’s not even discuss the infamous plastic bag drawer. You know the one. The drawer that’s somehow full of plastic bags, yet you can never find one when you actually need it.

Then came my lightbulb moment. Or perhaps it was more of a slow-burning realisation that finally caught flame.

I was in my late thirties, and I’d landed this amazing international bridal booking—a destination wedding abroad. Naturally, as a professional bridal makeup artist with over 15 years of experience, I needed to pack my makeup kit carefully. But here’s the thing: I couldn’t bring everything. I had weight restrictions, space limitations, and practical considerations.

So I did something radical (for me, anyway). I packed only what I absolutely needed. The essentials. The products I genuinely couldn’t work without. No “just in case” items, no backups for the backups, no seventeen different shades of nearly-identical nude lipstick.

And you know what? It felt absolutely incredible.

On that plane ride, surrounded by clouds and contemplation, I had this profound thought: I could live like this. Owning only what I actually need and use. It was like someone had lifted a physical weight off my chest. I felt lighter, freer, more focused. That’s when I decided to completely rethink not just my makeup kit, but my entire life.

The Decluttering Journey: One Drawer at a Time

When I returned home to London, I looked around my flat with fresh eyes. And honestly? I was a bit horrified. How had I accumulated so much stuff?

I started decluttering, and let me tell you—it was overwhelming at first. Nobody enjoys confronting the chaotic drawer full of random phone chargers from devices you no longer own, pens that stopped working in 2015, and instruction manuals for appliances you’ve since replaced.

But with every item I let go of, I felt physically lighter. It was oddly therapeutic.

I found outfits I hadn’t worn since my twenties (and realistically would never wear again, despite what my optimistic brain kept telling me). I discovered a collection of takeaway containers I’d been hoarding “just in case”—in case of what, exactly? A global Tupperware shortage? I unearthed enough random cables and chargers to open my own branch of Currys.

It was simultaneously hilarious and eye-opening. But more importantly, the process forced me to ask myself difficult questions. Why had I held onto all this stuff? Did I genuinely need five dupattas in essentially the same shade of pink? Was I ever, truly, honestly going to use that bulky blender gathering dust at the back of the cupboard?

The answer, more often than not, was a resounding no.

How Minimalism Changed My Professional Life

Here’s something interesting that I didn’t expect: minimalism didn’t just change my personal life. It completely transformed how I work as a bridal makeup artist.

Before embracing minimalism, my makeup kit was… excessive. I had products I’d used once, shades that “might” work on someone someday, and enough brushes to supply a small beauty school. Hauling that kit to weddings was like moving house every weekend. My shoulders and back were constantly aching, and finding the right product during a time-sensitive bridal appointment? Forget about it.

Now, my kit contains only products I genuinely use and love. Every single item earns its place. If a product sits unused for three months, it’s gone. This approach has made me faster, more efficient, and frankly, a better makeup artist. I know my kit inside out. I can find exactly what I need in seconds, even in dimly lit hotel rooms or cramped bridal suites.

My South Asian brides often comment on how calm and organised I am, even when we’re racing against the clock before the ceremony. That’s minimalism at work, giving me mental clarity and physical efficiency.

What Minimalism Actually Taught Me (Spoiler: It’s Not About Deprivation)

Let me be crystal clear about something: minimalism isn’t about deprivation or living like a monk. It’s not about seeing how little you can survive on or making yourself miserable in the name of “simplicity.” That’s not minimalism—that’s just being unnecessarily harsh on yourself.

For me, minimalism is about intention. It’s about keeping what genuinely adds value to your life and letting go of everything else. Here’s what this journey has taught me:

Memories Don’t Live in Things

This was probably the hardest lesson for me to learn, and it goes against everything I was taught growing up. In Bengali culture, we’re sentimental. We keep things because Nani gave them to us, because they remind us of home, because letting go feels like erasing history.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: letting go of sentimental items doesn’t mean you’re letting go of the memories attached to them. The memories live in your heart, your mind, your stories—not in the physical objects gathering dust in your cupboard.

I don’t need to keep every birthday card to remember that I’m loved. I don’t need to hoard every piece of jewellery to honour my grandmother’s memory. The love, the connection, the memories—they’re all still there, just freed from physical clutter.

Redefining Success on My Own Terms

Growing up, success meant having more. More clothes, more furniture, more decorative items, more, more, more. The bigger your collection, the more successful you were perceived to be.

Now, success looks completely different to me. Success means having more time and energy for what truly matters: spending quality time with family, travelling to new places, pursuing my passion for bridal makeup artistry, and actually enjoying my life rather than maintaining my possessions.

Success is getting home after a wedding and being able to relax immediately because my flat is calm and organised. Success is finding exactly what I need within seconds because everything has its place. Success is feeling mentally clear and focused because my environment isn’t overwhelming me.

Life Becomes Exponentially Simpler and Happier

I cannot overstate how much easier daily life becomes when you have less stuff. Cleaning takes half the time. Organising is straightforward because everything has a designated spot. Getting ready in the morning is quicker because I’m not standing in front of a bursting wardrobe thinking “I have nothing to wear” whilst simultaneously drowning in clothes.

My mind and my home are finally in sync, and it’s transformed my mental health. The constant low-level anxiety I used to feel about my cluttered space has completely disappeared. I didn’t even realise how much mental energy I was spending on managing stuff until I didn’t have to anymore.

The Cultural Challenge: Navigating Family Expectations

I’d be lying if I said this journey was easy, especially from a cultural perspective. When I first started decluttering and embracing minimalism, my family thought I’d lost the plot.

“Why are you getting rid of perfectly good things?” “But what if you need it someday?” “That was expensive—you can’t just give it away!” “Are you struggling financially? Do you need money?”

These questions came from a place of love and concern, but they were also rooted in our cultural values around possessions and abundance. For my parents’ generation, getting rid of things felt wasteful, almost disrespectful to the hard work it took to acquire them.

I had to have several conversations explaining that minimalism wasn’t about rejecting their values or the life they’d built. It was about me finding what works for my life, my mental health, and my happiness. Gradually, they’ve come to understand—even if they think I’m slightly mad for not keeping “just in case” items.

Interestingly, I’ve noticed more and more British Bangladeshi friends and clients becoming curious about minimalism. We’re a generation caught between two cultures, trying to honour our heritage while also creating lifestyles that work for us in modern London. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s possible.

Practical Tips to Get Started (Without Losing Your Mind)

If you’re reading this thinking, “This sounds lovely, but I could never be a minimalist”—trust me, I used to think exactly the same thing. You don’t have to go full Marie Kondo or live in an empty white box to experience the benefits of minimalism.

Here’s where you can start:

Clear One Drawer

Seriously, just one. You know the one I’m talking about. That drawer of chaos. The one filled with random batteries (are they dead or alive? Who knows!), expired loyalty cards from shops that closed in 2010, mysterious keys that definitely open something but you can’t remember what, and enough random pens to supply a small office.

Start there. Empty it completely, wipe it down, and only put back what you actually use and need. This small victory will motivate you to tackle more.

Donate, Don’t Dump

If you’re letting go of clothes, furniture, makeup, or other items that are still in decent condition, donate them to local charities. In London, we’re spoilt for choice—from British Heart Foundation to local mosque and temple donation centres.

Knowing your things will help someone else makes the process feel meaningful rather than wasteful. Plus, it aligns with the Bengali value of helping others, so it’s a win-win.

Create a “One In, One Out” Rule

Before buying anything new—whether it’s a new lipstick, a new outfit, or a new piece of furniture—ask yourself: “Do I genuinely need this, or will it just become clutter?” If you do buy it, try to let go of something similar you already own.

This rule has completely transformed my shopping habits. I’m much more intentional now, which means I buy better quality items that I truly love, rather than impulse purchases that I regret.

Tackle Your Wardrobe Strategically

This is a big one, especially for those of us with extensive South Asian clothing collections. Here’s my approach: if you haven’t worn it in a year (and it’s not a special occasion outfit like a wedding sari), it’s time to let it go.

I know this is hard. We all have that outfit we think we’ll fit into again, or that salwar kameez we wore to one event and keep “just in case.” But be honest with yourself—will you actually wear it? If not, let it go to someone who will.

Digitise Sentimental Items

Can’t bear to part with old photos, cards, or children’s artwork? Take high-quality photos or scan them, store them digitally, and let go of the physical clutter. You preserve the memory without the physical storage burden.

I did this with boxes of old photos and cards, and I actually look at them more now because they’re organised in digital albums rather than buried in a box I never open.

Why Minimalism Is Worth It (Especially for Busy Professionals)

As a bridal makeup artist in London, my schedule is intense. Wedding season is absolutely manic—I’m often working 12-hour days, travelling across the city (and sometimes internationally), and managing multiple clients simultaneously. The last thing I need is a chaotic home environment adding to my stress.

Minimalism has given me:

More Time: Less time cleaning, organising, and managing possessions means more time for my business, my creativity, and my personal life.

More Energy: Physical clutter is mentally draining. A clear space means a clear mind, which means more energy for the things that matter.

More Freedom: I can travel easily for destination weddings because I’m comfortable with less. I’m not attached to stuff in the same way anymore.

More Money: I spend so much less now because I’m intentional about purchases. That money goes toward experiences, savings, and investments instead.

More Clarity: I make better decisions—both in my business and personal life—because I’m not overwhelmed and distracted by clutter.

The Balance: Being Minimalist Without Being Extreme

Here’s an important distinction: I’m not an extreme minimalist. I haven’t counted all my possessions or tried to live with fewer than 100 items or any of that nonsense. That’s not realistic for most people, and certainly not for a working makeup artist who needs professional equipment.

I still own beautiful things. I still have decorative items in my home. I still buy new clothes and makeup. The difference is that everything I own serves a purpose or brings me genuine joy. Nothing is there out of obligation, guilt, or “just in case.”

I’ve also learned that minimalism looks different for everyone. Your version of minimalism might involve more possessions than mine, and that’s absolutely fine. The goal isn’t to compete over who owns the least—it’s to find what works for you and your life.

Final Thoughts: Making Room for What Matters

Minimalism has taught me that less really is more—not in a clichéd way, but in a deeply practical, life-changing way. By owning fewer things, I’ve gained so much more: more time, more mental clarity, more freedom, and more space (both physical and mental) to focus on what truly matters.

As a British-Bangladeshi woman running my own business here in London, this journey hasn’t been without challenges. Letting go of cultural expectations and deeply ingrained habits wasn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, moments of guilt, and definitely moments where I wondered if I was betraying my roots somehow.

But I wasn’t. I was honouring myself and creating a life that works for me. And that’s not selfish—it’s necessary.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, suffocated by possessions, or simply curious about whether minimalism could improve your life, I encourage you to start small. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Just clear one drawer, donate one bag of clothes, or simply pause before your next purchase and ask, “Do I really need this?”

Minimalism isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. It’s not about having less—it’s about making room for more of what you genuinely love and value.

So that’s my story. If this resonates with you—or if you just want to commiserate about the universal experience of the plastic bag drawer—drop a comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts, your struggles, and your own minimalism journey.

And if you’re a bride-to-be in London looking for a makeup artist who’ll arrive with an organised, streamlined kit and a calm, focused energy? Well, you know where to find me at Shahena Beauty.

Remember: keep it simple, keep it real, and keep it intentional.

Until next time, Shahena x

Are you considering minimalism, or have you already started your decluttering journey? What’s the hardest thing for you to let go of? Let me know in the comments!