Minimalism is the lifestyle of those whoâve realized they donât need a whole bunch of stuff to give life meaning.
If you like to live by the maxim, âwaste not, want not,â then youâre already halfway to becoming a minimalist. The following tips will help ease you into the lifestyle without feelings of FOMO or overwhelm.
1. Declutter
When most of us hear the word âdecluttering,â we imagine a lengthy and arduous process that is typically undergone once a year for Spring cleaning. What if you could make decluttering a part of your daily routine? It may sound like a nightmare, but itâs easier than you think.
If you see anything out of place as you walk around the house, pick it up and decide if it needs to get put away, thrown away, or donated. This helps to get rid of excess items and removes all the hard work from decluttering.
If youâve invested in one of the best cookware sets, you donât need a bunch of random old pots and pans occupying your cabinets. Most of the time when you start decluttering, youâll realize that you donât need half the stuff in your home. The sense of freedom that arises from this brand of decluttering is addictive.
2. Set Daily and Monthly Goals
Give yourself something to work towards every day and every month to help give you direction on your journey. A vision for what you want to achieve will make it easier for you to get there.
Start simple by setting a goal to declutter your wardrobe or the linen closet first. This is not meant to be overwhelming, so donât overthink it. The goal is to get the ball rolling towards simplifying your life.
3. Get the Whole Family Involved
Get your spouse and kids on board with the minimalist lifestyle. Do speed cleaning sessions and make it a fun game instead of a chore. Like any game, make sure you take a structured approach.
For instance, you could start by removing trash and then organize the remaining items into bins marked according to their purpose. Donate or sell any extras. Get your kids to try on different outfits in their dress-up bin and make it a fun fashion show.
Encourage them to donate outfits that no longer fit and remind them that there are many children who are not as fortunate as they are who would love the clothes theyâve outgrown.
4. Build a Capsule Wardrobe
The more clothes you have, the more clothes youâre likely to desire due to the decision fatigue you experience every morning trying to decide what to wear.
For best results, simplify your wardrobe down to pieces you love, items that fit you well, and things that work interchangeably. Having a capsule wardrobe will make getting dressed every day a breeze.
5. Pay Off Your Debt
Part of living a minimalist lifestyle involves decluttering your finances as well. You can start by paying down or paying off your debt.
Avoid the trap of keeping up with the Joneses and realize that you donât have to spend money in order to enjoy life. With a little creativity, you can easily create an atmosphere of joy and peace in your life.
Getting started can be the hardest step of your minimalist journey, especially if you have an overwhelming amount of stuff. However, all that matters at this stage is that you take action. From there, you can build momentum and gradually simplify your life by changing the way you think about your possessions.