With so many new products and exciting offers each day, it feels like modern life is becoming more cluttered and stressful. Are you escaping the endless responsibilities at work only to come home to a cramped space? Do you find yourself unable to make time for your passion because there are just too many things to do? Do you have so many clothes but still have nothing to wear?
Perhaps it’s time for you to take up minimalism. However, the journey to being a minimalist is not as intimidating as you think. All you need is the right motivation and a willingness to learn. Here are six easy steps you can take to start minimalism.
1. Just get started
Like any other lifestyle change, the most challenging step is often the first one. Stop telling yourself that you don't have the time for a change. If you don’t make the time, there will never be enough time. Plus, most people want to be a minimalist because they feel overwhelmed by their busy lives.
Once you have decided you want to try minimalism, commit yourself to it and start right away! There are plenty of books about minimalism that might inspire you to get started.
2. Figure out why
Being a minimalist requires making a huge change, and it’s essential to know why you are doing it. Try listing out the reasons you want to embrace minimalism. Do you want to feel happier? Do you go to bed stressed out? Want to have more time with your family?
Make time to sit down and put these things on paper. Once you know why you are doing anything, you will feel more motivated throughout the journey. Then, when things get tough, just remember why you are here in the first place.
3. Stop saying “one last shop”!
The next step is to not give in to your urges. Maybe you think you can go on a shopping spree one last time before giving it up for good. It isn’t the right mindset to have! Minimalism will not work on an all-or-nothing approach. You can only live with less once you stop buying more.
Moreover, some people feel like they should upgrade some of their things, but it’s better not to. Instead, be comfortable with what you already own and resist the desire to buy something else.
4. Evaluate your possessions
The aim is to live with less and possess only things you need. So the first practical step you can take is to get rid of the things you don’t need or haven’t been using. We recommend trying the “Use It or Lose It” rule for decluttering your home.
So, which items should you discard? First, throw away anything you have not been using recently, especially if you have not used it twice in the last six months. For example, for seasonal clothing or gear, did you use it often the previous winter?
Second, throw away some of the things you haven’t used in the last three months. Of course, when we say “throw away,” we mean donating them to charity, handing them to your friends or family, or selling them to second-hand shops.
Finally, collect all the items you have used in the last month and try to separate them into a “necessary” and “unnecessary” pile. How often do you use it? Can you survive not having the item?
5. Set a clutter-free zone
Assign a spot in your home that will always remain clutter-free. It could be a nightstand, drawer, dining table, or even countertop. Use it as constant inspiration for your minimalist journey. When you look at this space, you can feel calmer and notice all the emotional benefits of minimalism.
If you enjoy such a clean environment, consider expanding the area every few days. Soon, your clutter-free nightstand can be a clutter-free room, and a clutter-free space can give you the clutter-free home you want!
6. Organize, organize, organize
After decluttering your home, it is time to organize. We cannot emphasize the importance of staying organized when you want to be a minimalist. The KonMari method is a popular organizational tool that tells you to organize by category.
For example, separate your possessions depending on their use, from cooking and eating utensils to clothes and stationery. It’s a clever way to avoid having duplicates and unnecessary items.
As a beginner minimalist, don’t be afraid to be curious and ask questions. Read about minimalism and talk to fellow minimalists. Be willing to hear new ideas as much as making the lifestyle yours!
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