The minimalist lifestyle is often connected to people who wish to give up on unnecessary but still fun stuff in order to live more fulfilled lives. Now, the fact that you have less but are more fulfilled may sound strange, but people do immerse themselves into living materialistic lives hoping that their happiness lies in the next shopping spree. The point is to focus on yourself and not on things you want to own. These tips can help you start a new journey towards a simpler life:
1. Think before you act
When people want to go minimalist, they usually throw out everything they see as unnecessary, which is a mistake. There are some things you’ll definitely need sometime, so before you decide to get rid of anything, try to evaluate everything you possess. If there are some clothes you haven’t worn in a really long time, chances are you won’t, so you can safely discard them. As for the things you’re unsure about, don’t throw them away as there might be a possibility you’ll use them again. Some of your belongings are probably significant to you, so they shouldn’t be thrown away. And if you find yourself compulsively clearing out everything, stop and think. That cheap necklace you got from your ex sounds like a big deal, but if you haven’t been in touch for a long time, maybe you can gift it to someone who’ll appreciate it.
2. Get organized
For some, the decision to lead a minimalist lifestyle isn’t motivated by the amount of stuff they own, but rather by the fact that they have a lot of stuff in the wrong places. In case your room is cluttered with a lot of clothes lying around, then it means you actually need to organize all your stuff. Get storage boxes and vacuum bags for all the things you won’t need anytime soon and put them under the bed or store them in your garage. If you lack space, ask a friend to hold onto them for you or rent a storage room. Being organized is the key to being minimalist because owning fewer things means you’ll have to be careful with what you use and when. The same goes for budgeting. Owning less also means using less, so that’s a perfect opportunity to save up some cash and spend it on something you’ve been longing to do for a long time. Maybe a trip to Italy or a new computer? Make good use of your new lifestyle and learn to be better when it comes to managing your finances.
3. Be careful when shopping
We live in the age of fast fashion when everything is super affordable and only a few clicks away from our own doorstep. It’s easy for people to get carried away with buying a lot of things they don’t really need. Just because something costs a bargain and looks cute that doesn’t mean you should automatically add it to the cart. Try thinking about whether you’re actually going to use it or you’re buying it just for the sake of owning it. Shopping can be addictive for some, so pay attention to how much you spend. Before you decide to shell out some money, just ask yourself: “Am I really going to need that?” Clothes are the trickiest since there are countless trends around and thanks to social media, we’re easily tempted into buying things we won’t truly wear. So, instead of owning a few cheap swimsuits, opt for a quality high waisted bikini which will last you much longer.
4. Don’t be too frugal
Much advice on minimalism focuses on living your life with a limited number of items. While that can be feasible, you don’t have to be that drastic, especially if you’ve owned plenty of stuff before.
Your goal should be centered on wasting less money and uncluttering your home. You can own only one shampoo and one body lotion. There’s no need to buy every pair of jeans you spot at your favorite store. But if you’re attending a special event, buying a new dress and shoes is completely fine. You shouldn’t deny yourself pleasures, just know when to buy and how to store it away so it won’t take up much of your space.
A minimalist lifestyle is possible, but being balanced is essential if you want to be happy and at peace.