Choosing to live your life with fewer possessions seems to be a movement that is gaining momentum daily. In this short blog post I wish to give some basic guidelines, tips and recommendations to any person who is considering living a minimalist life from the viewpoint of another beginner minimalist.
§ THE REASON
It is important to figure out why we choose the path to lead a more intentional and minimalist life. I suggest you write down all the reasons why you decided to venture into a minimalist lifestyle. It may be that your life has taken you on a new journey, such as being a parent, which obviously means you want to spend time bonding with your newborn than doing some menial household chore or maybe it is the work related stress that comes with a new promotion or changing careers, or maybe you are planning to move to a new city or new country and, don’t want to be burdened by all your material possessions or you want financial stability or to protect the environment. It could be that you enjoy the peacefulness and the serenity of a minimalist home or workplace. It could also be that you are simply attracted to the minimalist aesthetic. Whatever the reason which led you to choose minimalism and intentional living, write them down, clearly and precisely. This list of reasons will give you a sense of purpose and help you when you feel like you don’t have enough things.
§ START SMALL
Try to incorporate the process of simplifying and practices of minimalism into your life in a more gradual manner. Try to declutter one room in a day or in a week, as it suits your lifestyle. It is not a race, take your own time to make conscious decisions about the items you want to keep in your life and, the items you want to let go. Start with a small and uncomplicated area of your life. When the process of minimizing is intentional you lessen the chances of mistakenly getting rid of something that you will need, that is valuable and irreplaceable. You will also not get overwhelmed and stressed about minimizing your material possessions. Start with some place like your wallet, handbag or your work desk.
§ USE OR SELL OR DONATE
You can finish using the multiple items you have purchased, such as notebooks, pens, printer paper, or donate them to a school in your area. Donate the items to charity where it will be useful to someone in need. clothes, handbags, and jewelry can be gifted to your family members or sold online. Think of ways to utilize or re-purpose items you are decluttering to prevent wasting money and resources, instead of just throwing them in the garbage.
§ BOX IT UP AND PUT IT AWAY FOR 6 MONTHS
If you are concerned that when you declutter, you might accidentally get rid of something that useful or necessary, I suggest you get a large box and fill it up with anything you think you want to get rid of. Make a list of what is inside and then put the box away. In case you have by mistake, put away some valuable or necessary items, in the coming weeks you can simply retrieve those items from the box. If after 6 months you have not even touched that box, dispose of the contents or donate them.
§ DE CLUTTER BEFORE YOU ORGANIZE
It is always advisable to declutter and get rid of all unnecessary items before you decide on an organization system. Once you have decluttered the unnecessary items from your home, find an organizing system which will work for you and your family. The system must be easy and practical to maintain in the long run. Designate a spot for each item, and put it back to that place after using it.
§ EXPLAIN TO YOUR FAMILY WHY YOU ARE CHOOSING TO LIVE A MINIMALIST LIFE.
Although they may not understand or agree with you, informing them of your choice to live a more minimalist and intentional life will help prevent disagreements in the family. Sometimes you may be able to encourage some of your family members to try out a minimalist lifestyle too. It will also reduce the chances of them giving you material gifts for various occasions because they know that you are trying to reduce material possessions from your life