This last year I have worked on becoming more of a minimalist. I had moved to a smaller house and in a few months I will be moving into an apartment where I'll have even less space. It's helped me reevaluate my lifestyle and what I want to put my money and time towards. There's nothing horrible about material possessions but being a minimalist can help you grow and find a certain freedom. I've come up with some tips to get you started on the life where less is more!
1. Write Your Reasons: You should start your journey by thinking of why you want a minimalist lifestyle. This can be for whatever reasons you choose. I want a simpler life where I can enjoy what I already have and the experiences to come. Maybe you want to reduce your cleaning time or stress in general. You can have more time in your day, become more frugal, and become environmentally conscious.
2. Get Rid of Duplicates: Do you more than one copy of a book or two of the same shirts? Limiting yourself to one of each thing will help you save space and money. Keep whichever of the items means the most to you. Donate or resell your extra things when you're cleaning them out.
3. Declutter: You will be surprised how much you have to declutter. I would tackle each room one at a time. For a bedroom, I would look through books, random knick knacks, clothing, and accessories. You can separate things into piles like "keep", "maybe", and "donate". For clothes that you put back in your closet, turn the hanger around and see how long it takes you to wear that item again. For other rooms like the kitchen, clear the surfaces and then go through what you put away.
4. Food and Exercise: This is up to each individual. I included this on my list because I am trying to eat cleaner and be as healthy as I can. There is a gym included in my school tuition so I'll use that and work out home. There are so many ways to get exercise without spending $60+ a month at a facility. I'm personally working on cutting back on meat and eating more vegetables and fruits.
5. Digital Sabbaticals: Taking a break from the online world is something we should do more regularly, especially if it's related to social media. Limiting the time you post on Facebook or check your emails can help you focus better. You can have more one-on-one time with your friends and family. Instead of spending time perusing sites on your phone, get outside and take a walk or read a book.
6. Clear Surfaces: Make some room on your kitchen counters and table. Clean up the top of your dresser and the shelves in your bathroom. It's always such an improvement when things are put in their proper place. It opens up the room and makes it more spacious. I definitely think this is most important to consistently do in the kitchen out of all rooms in the house.
7. Organize: Have a place for everything and put everything in its place. Knowing where things are helps you stay organized. You will be able to find your paperwork or clothing in a timely matter. However, you should organize after you have decluttered and purged! If you organize first, it's almost like hoarding which can keep us from simplifying our lives.
8. Clear Mental Clutter: Our mental health and well-being is just as important as our physical and emotional health. Mental clutter can be different for each person. Maybe you need to stop associating with certain people, let go of the past, or change spending habits. Breathing and meditating can help improve our minds. Clearing emotional and mental issues is just as important as the physical objects in our lives.
9. Save Money: Managing your finances is necessary when becoming a minimalist. You're purging and you shouldn't be replacing what you've gotten rid of with more stuff. For instance, I only have Netflix and do not have cable. I use a library card instead of buying from bookstores. By applying minimalism to your life, you can put more towards retirement or get out of debt.
10. Invest in Experiences: When you have cut back on spending and are saving money, you can take the time to enjoy activities with friends and family that you may not have been able to participate in before. You can go see movies with friends or take trips to the zoo with your family. Minimalism could help you save for a trip around the states or maybe even to Europe.