MINIMALISM: WHERE TO START

3 EASY STEPS FOR BEGINNERS

  1. Identify your priorities in life. It’s important that you know exactly why minimalism is the right lifestyle for you. It will help you to make the right decisions down the road (like when you want to buy something you don’t really need).
  2. Stop shopping. Find other fun things to do during your free time. Shopping shouldn’t be a form of entertainment because you will end up buying something you don’t need. Avoid going to the stores where you usually buy lots of things you don’t need (I avoid going to Winners and the likes).
  3. Declutter. Clean out your home. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful and/or beautiful. Be ruthless. Don’t make excuses. As they say, if you want a lot of change, you’ve got to change a lot. I know this process can be overwhelming so try to make things easy for yourself: get rid of 5 things every week (easy enough) or make a goal to get rid of a specific number of things overall (eg a total of 500 things in 6 months).

It will take a little while before you get into real minimalist mode but once you get into the habit of making your decisions based on your new lifestyle, your life will be a lot easier and you will start to apply your newly acquired principles to other spheres of your life like relationships, work, etc.

3 THINGS I’VE LEARNED

Minimalism isn’t about the stuff. Not in essence anyway. Minimalism is a state of mind. It’s much more and much more powerful than decluttering your home. It’s a choice that comes from within; the behaviour (ie decluttering, buying less, etc.) will come naturally. For me, it’s choosing inner peace over chaos, eliminating the unnecessary to make room for what’s important for me, choosing moments and experiences over stuff, experimenting over having. Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of stuff for the sake of getting rid of stuff and having an uncluttered home.

Just because it’s pretty doesn’t mean I have to have it. I’m a sucker for good design. And my home was full of pretty things bought just for display and/or that are still waiting to be used.  I’m learning to appreciate the creativity that went into the beautiful things that surround me without feeling the need to own them.

Spending money on stuff means limiting my life experiences (and no, shopping doesn’t count as a life experience). It’s obvious, yet a lot of us tend to forget it. Since most of us have limited financial resources, we need to make the most of our money, which means making choices. Before you say you can’t afford that trip you’ve always wanted to do, look at the money you’re spending on furniture, clothes, shoes, car accessories, etc. Also, save, but not so much that it will cost you a good life. Saving for tomorrow is wise but tomorrow may never come so have fun with your money :)

IN SHORT

Don’t overthink it. Minimalism isn’t difficult. It’s really about knowing your priorities. It comes down to one question: what’s truly important in your life?

Good luck!