Growing up my mother always told me I had one really bad habit. That habit was that I always threw things out. I would hang onto things with sentimental value but everything else would get donated or given to friends. To this day I still have that same exact habit, but I have found a name for it, “minimalism”. I would be lying if I said that I did not own anything, and I was the biggest minimalist you will ever meet. I actually enjoy having cute little decorations for my room and would consider myself quite the shopper. Despite this, I do like to own very few things and I find myself going through my stuff every couple months so I can get rid of things. While this is something that comes naturally to me, this is a lifestyle goal for many others. The first tip I would give to any aspiring minimalist is that you do not have to be perfect. You may buy things from time to time and your room might not look like a museum. That is perfectly acceptable especially when you are first starting out. Here are some more tips for becoming a minimalist.
1. Get Organized
Possibly one of the most underrated tips is getting organized. Getting organized and staying clean is crucial when it comes to becoming a minimalist. It makes your items easier to sort through when everything is in its place. Also, if everything has a place you are already going to start feeling as if you are a minimalist.
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2. Declutter One Area At A Time
If you are anything like me, when you start something you like to jump right in. Unfortunately, this probably is not the best idea when it comes to minimalism. Becoming a minimalist can be exhausting especially if you are starting on the opposite end of the spectrum. You want to prevent burning yourself out or you may end up regretting your choice. Worry about one area of your room or life at a time.
3. Donate
Try donating any physical items you may not want anymore. You are making a positive life change for yourself and giving back- what could be better?
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4. Unplug
Minimalism can apply to all areas of your life and in this digital age, it would be smart to apply it to that part of your life. Delete some apps off your phone, log out of social media, and set your phone down. Taking this breather will make you feel much better.
5. Focus on Other Areas of Your Life
In my opinion, becoming a minimalist has a lot to do with wanting to put less focus on one part of your life and more on another. By decluttering your life, you are giving yourself the chance to focus on what really matters. Take advantage of this and start putting more effort into something like your relationships, education, or career.
Congratulations, you are officially a minimalist or at least in my book you are. Just remember the label “minimalist” is not important. The importance of this lifestyle change is all in the way it makes you feel.