Adopting a Minimalist Lifestyle

If you’re reading this, you might be considering adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Or maybe you’re wondering what exactly is a minimalist lifestyle?

Well, there is no cookie cutter answer because minimalism does not have a cookie cutter shape. It can mean different things to different people.

One person’s minimal lifestyle may look very different from the next person. It doesn’t have to include a capsule wardrobe or giving away half of your belongings.

When it comes down to it, the two most important things about adopting a minimalist lifestyle are: choosing quality over quantity and eliminating the inessential to focus on the essential.

Full disclosure, the only place I am a minimalist is in my dreams. I love the Pinterest aesthetic look of clear counters, spotless floors and zero clutter. That’s just not how (my) life really works out.

I would say, however, that I am moving towards minimalism. I’ve come pretty far from where I was and I find myself readily able to let go of things that are no longer serving me. Usually.
 

 

Less is More

 
When you remove the drama from your life, you make more time for peace.

When you have things in general, cleaning up is a lot quicker.

Time saved from focusing on everything gives you more time to focus on the really important things.

If you’re thinking about adopting a minimalist lifestyle, it’s important to choose quality over quantity.

One study suggests the condition of your home can be correlated to your physical activity.

Clutter can also be associated with stress, anxiety and a feeling of overwhelm. It’s literally bad for your mental health.

 

Your Belongings

I believe that there is a misconception about living a minimal lifestyle is that you can only have a certain number of possessions.

There may be some who try to say that there is, but there is no specific number or limit on the amount of things you can own.

You just need to be intentional about your belongings.

Your belongings should mean something to you. The things you don’t need or love are just clutter.

Less clutter in your home often leads to less clutter in your head and I think we could all use that.

Don’t be one of those people. You don’t need to impress anyone but yourself.
 

Decluttering

Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering. I mean..

Yes, decluttering can vastly help with keeping your home tidy and your mind less overwhelmed.

And yes, you probably have way more stuff than you need.

But while decluttering can sometimes be fun, it can also be an emotional process. Many of our possessions can hold a sentimental value.

Alternatively it can be difficult for you to get rid of items that are “perfectly fine” – especially if you’ve had to go without them before.

The best thing to do is to take it one step at a time.

 

Decluttering clothes

When you’re adopting a minimalist lifestyle, you can curate your closet using hangers.

First, make sure all of your hangers are facing the same direction.

Then every time you rehang something that you’ve worn, turn that hanger backwards.

If after 6-12 months you still have hangers that are facing forward it’s time to consider parting with those pieces.

There may be nothing wrong with those pieces of clothing, but they just aren’t serving you anymore.

Look at your clothes and ask yourself, would I buy it again today?
If it got damaged, would I replace it?
If I had to spend my own money on it, would I?

It’s also time to get real with yourself about the sweater that just needs a button sewn on, *but has needed that for 3 years*, the shirt that used to be your favorite but you got a small bleach stain on, *but it’s still ok to wear around the house,*.

If you haven’t sewn that button on, or taken it to someone to do it, you probably aren’t going to. If an item is not serving you, it’s time to let it go.

It’s ok to pass it on to someone else. Even if you don’t know who that someone will be.
 

 

Afterwards, adopt a one in and one out policy. Whenever you get a new item, you must remove an older item from the same category.

This can be especially useful for similar items that you have a lot of.

It doesn’t just have to be clothes either, you could also apply this to makeup, shoes, wallets, purses and office or stationery supplies.
 
 

Decluttering Other Items

Put the items you aren’t sure about into boxes with the current date and a date 6-12 months in the future.

If you haven’t used or even opened the boxes by the future date, that means you don’t really need the things inside. Don’t even look inside of it – just bring it to the shop to donate, or the bin to recycle or trash it.
 

 
Maybe it’s the book that’s been collecting dust on your shelf for who-knows-how-long that you really should read.

Read it – or pass it on.
If you change your mind later on, you can probably check it out from your local library for free.

Have something else you’re having a hard time letting go of? Let me know in a comment at the bottom!!

 

Digital Declutter

It’s important to not just consider your physical spaces but your digital spaces as well.

Digital clutter can be a source of distraction and a waste of space.

Having less junk will make it easier for you to find the files that you actually need as well as improve the performance of your devices.

Take the time to delete those blurry photos and PDF menus you had to download to view.

Uninstall those unused and un-updated apps (that’s a security risk!)

Actually unsubscribe from those inevitable spam e-mails instead of just deleting them – or mark them as spam if that fails.

Now that you’ve cleared up some space in your inbox, why not subscribe to a newsletter you might actually want to read?
 

 

Stop Using Retail as Therapy

Curb the impulse buying and be mindful about your purchases instead.

Shopping for things, in person or online, gives us a boost of dopamine. That’s before we even make the actual purchase. Just the anticipation of a reward is enough for your brain to release those chemicals.

Shopping isn’t bad in moderation of course.

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of the dollar tree – where everything is the same price! But because of that I often end up grabbing way more things that I came in for and that’s how clutter accumulates.

As a modern society, we are addicted to shopping. We over-consume, even though it isn’t good for us or our planet.

What can you do? Don’t go shopping without a list – or at least don’t go without a plan.

It can be so easy while walking around a store to pick up something little you weren’t even thinking about. That’s because the stores are literally designed to get you to do that!

Make a list and try to avoid grabbing anything that isn’t on it.

We aim for progress and not perfection here. Don’t beat yourself up if you buy something you don’t truly need sometimes.
 
 

Lifestyle

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle is about holding onto the things that add value to your life and letting go of what doesn’t.

I’m not just talking about your physical possessions either.

It’s better to have a few high quality relationships than many low quality ones.

Collect moments and memories instead of stuff. Because the most important things in life aren’t things at all.

Your experiences are the truly priceless things in life. It’s through doing and not having that we grow.

 

Do Not

Please, please, do not just throw all of your stuff into one of those storage unit places.

I honestly can’t believe they’re still so popular after Tidying up with Marie Kondo premiered on Netflix.

Do all of those things you’re planning on storing spark joy?

If you’re putting something in a storage unit 9 times out of 10 that means you don’t really need that stuff.

I mean, you don’t have enough space in your home or in your life for these items, but instead of letting them go, you pay someone to hold onto them for you.. Just, no.

 

 

Adopting a minimalist lifestyle is about living better with less. Having lots of clear space can also help clear up your mind. You might also save some money but not spending it as mindlessly.

You don’t need to become a complete minimalist to take some tips from minimalism.

Still aren’t sure where to start when adopting a minimalist lifestyle? Try this little 7 day Minimalism Challenge.

What do you think? Nothing too serious there. If you’re thinking of adopting a minimalist lifestyle, I hope I was able to steer you in the right direction. Minimalism isn’t about not having anything, it’s about only having things that you really value and enjoy.

 

 
Like what you read? Want to follow along on the journey?

I would love it if you signed up for my mailing list!

I’ll send you a new e-mail every week when I release a new post!

You’ll also be given access to my printables vault and won’t be sent any spam.

Just enter your e-mail address below ↴