Clutter has almost become a staple in the lives of many people today. Almost everyone owns a lot of stuff, most of which is never touched or used.
Aside from those material things, people are also obsessed with trying to do too much and achieve too many things at the same time.
While their current lifestyle doesn’t satisfy them, they are still hesitant to make it simpler. They are afraid to live a minimalist lifestyle because of the fear that this will make them get rid of the things important to them.
What they don’t realize is that a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t mean you need to live a bare life. A minimalist lifestyle is all about adding more joy and contentment to your life without taking anything away from it.
What Does It Mean to be a Minimalist?
A minimalist is someone who upholds the minimalism philosophy. What is minimalism?
Minimalism originally started as a form of art that removes unnecessary elements so that important elements will stand out.
Minimalism as a philosophy in life also does the same thing. When you get rid of those things that have little importance in your life, you will be left with things you find the most important.
Minimalism is all about eliminating the things you don’t need or use to leave a simple and uncluttered environment and life.
It is about living without obsession over material things or doing too much. It is all about having a plain and simple wardrobe, using simple tools, carrying little, and leading a lighter life.
The Definition of a Minimalist Lifestyle
Some people believe that having a minimalist lifestyle means they need to give up all the modern conveniences the world has to offer. They imagine living in a secluded cabin in the middle of a forest with a wood-burning stove, a bathroom located outside, and no electricity.
While there might be some people who live like this, not all people who embrace minimalism go to this extent.
There are many other ways that you can live a minimalist lifestyle that doesn’t require you to make significant sacrifices.
To have a minimalist lifestyle means you consider yourself more valuable than any material thing. It means that you make your decisions according to your needs instead of your wants.
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It doesn’t mean you only buy cheap things. It means you only buy what you need no matter what their price is.
A person is free to decide to what extent they will take their minimalist lifestyle.
They can also do it in stages. Many people start by checking their home first and eliminating stuff that is no longer needed. After some time, they then trim down their life to a more minimalist style.
How to Start a Minimalist Lifestyle
Now, do you feel inspired to get started with your minimalist lifestyle? Well, there are a couple of things you should do before you begin decluttering your life.
1. Say no to shopping.
The first thing you should do to start a minimalist lifestyle is stop whatever is coming into your life.
You might be tempted to start decluttering right away. However, if you still go gaga over shopping every chance you get, it is like trying to address a leaky pipe without bothering to turn off the tap first.
If you find this challenging, make sure you avoid mindless shopping.
This is also the first tip to embark on your minimalist journey if your life is too busy. There are people who say that they will start decluttering once their schedule is free. But why should you wait? It doesn’t take much for you to stop shopping, and it can even help you save time.
2. Know your why and set a vision.
Another important thing to get started with your minimalist lifestyle is to know your why and set a vision.
- What does a minimalist lifestyle mean to you?
- Why would you like to embrace this kind of lifestyle in the first place?
Once you answer these questions, it will be easier for you to start decluttering your house and your life because you will know which items belong and which don’t.
10 Ways to Have a Minimalist Lifestyle
Here are 10 ways to have a minimalist lifestyle and start changing your life for the better:
- Count as you go. You will never realize how much you own if you don’t count as you go. You might want to set a number goal of items to sell, donate, or throw away.
- Give the 20/20 rule a try. If an item can be replaced with $20 and you can buy it within 20 minutes from home, you can do away with it. You will be surprised how this rule can make it easier and more fun for you to declutter.
- Say goodbye to “just in case” items. Those old rubber bands and additional screws for that desk you assembled several months ago are just junk you piled in your drawer to keep “just in case” you will need them one day. But here’s the truth: you probably won’t ever need them. Cleaning your drawers that store these items will give you more space for things that should be handy and easy to find when you need them.
- Practice the art of borrowing. When you have the money to spend, it is all too easy to grab that glossy magazine issue or the newest bestselling book. But have you considered that someone you know might already have a copy that you can borrow? Or the public library might have options. Borrowing helps you save money, and those things don’t gather dust in the corner of your home.
- Cancel unnecessary subscriptions. Canceling subscriptions is probably the easiest way for you to get rid of digital, physical, and financial stressors. Give it some thought to determine what makes you happy every month and what doesn’t make you feel excited at all.
- Cut down on kitchen appliances. If you have limited space, there is no reason for you to crowd your kitchen counters beyond the basic essentials. When your countertops only have the stuff you use often, it will help avoid clutter and ensure that you get the most out of your appliances. Store those items you only use occasionally.
- Get rid of expired items. In case you don’t know it, even your makeup products expire. Don’t forget to check the package labels to be sure that you are not using something that is already beyond its recommended date.
- Throw away, sell, or donate stuff you haven’t touched or used in the past three months. Keep track of the clothes you wear. If you cannot recall when you last wore that piece, it is time for it to go. Remember that your clothes should make you feel confident, so don’t hesitate to say goodbye to pieces that don’t make you feel that way.
- Remove digital clutter. Have you ever noticed how your productivity dwindles if there are a lot of tabs and folders open on your laptop? Deleting those old pictures you already saved elsewhere, sorting files, and closing tabs on your browser can make you feel relieved and less cluttered every time you open your computer. You might also want to use this time to go through all the folders on your smartphone and delete things that don’t serve a purpose anymore.
- Accept that there are some items you want to keep. A minimalist lifestyle isn’t a competition where the person who owns the least will win. Minimalism is all about living a life filled with material items that give you joy. If you have an entire collection of dolls as an adult, it is okay. The main point of a minimalist lifestyle is to ensure that you don’t feel stressed out.
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Minimalist Lifestyle Tips for Success
Check out the following minimalist lifestyle tips for success that you can try:
Create a conscious closet.
Buy clothes you know will fit in your wardrobe for a long time. This gives you assurance that you don’t have to go shopping too often while your closet remains simpler and easier to manage.
Schedule a digital detox.
Give yourself a good digital detox every now and then. Log out of your blogs and social media accounts for the day. You will be surprised how stepping away from the screen can give your mind enough time to reboot and clear.
Meditate.
Meditation is a great chance for you to break free of your past and stop worrying about your future. This leaves your mind more open and conscious of the present.
Organize your inbox.
Develop a system so that your inbox will be kept at a minimum so that it doesn’t make your head spin just looking at that.
Be online with a purpose.
You don’t need to sign up for all social channels if you don’t even want to in the first place. Don’t engage or comment just for the sake of doing it. Think before you click and type.
Use space wisely.
Minimalists never feel like they are missing out if there is less space available. It actually frees them from those obligations associated with bigger spaces or a more cluttered life.
Detach from your possessions.
If you want to live a minimalist lifestyle, be more attached to relationships and experiences instead of material things.
Conduct a time audit.
See what takes up the biggest chunks of time in your day. If it is not something necessary for a happy or fulfilled life, look for ways to reduce this time.
Be conscious of your health.
Focusing inward plays a big role in a minimalist lifestyle. Go for quality and minimal ingredients and listen to what your body tells you.
Take things easy.
Peace of mind is what makes minimalism alluring. By focusing on things that matter the most, you won’t sweat the trivial stuff.
How to Live with Less to be a Minimalist
Living with less to have a minimalist lifestyle is possible.
You can start with your clothes. Go through your closets and remove unused clothing to make your closet lighter, your wardrobe filled with stuff you love, and your mornings less stressful.
Your kitchen probably feels too cramped because of all the stuff you’ve placed there, but every minimalist knows that simple is better. You only need a few cooking utensils so that you can prepare the most delicious and nutritious meals.
Grab this opportunity to remove any excess furniture pieces from rooms to allow for better airflow and create significant space in your home.
The same thing applies to decorations. Leave only the most beautiful and most meaningful decorations and do away with trinkets that you got simply because they were on sale.
Countertops should also be kept clear to free you from distractions. Store items properly so that you can focus on your tasks better.
Breaking things down this way can make a minimalist lifestyle sound more possible and approachable.
And there is no time limit on how fast you should cut down your stuff. Living with less doesn’t have a deadline. Start your minimalist lifestyle as comfortably as you can.