Don’t know what that is? Minimalism is defined as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.” In other words, it’s about living more simply and being intentional with both your possessions and your time. Here are 10 ways you can start creating a minimalist lifestyle for yourself:
- Get rid of any and all clutter in your home. Clutter creates visual and mental chaos, so the first step to a more minimalist lifestyle is to declutter your living space. You can do this by going through each room in your house and getting rid of anything that you no longer need or use.
- Simplify your wardrobe. A great way to reduce the amount of stuff you have is to pare down your wardrobe to only include the essentials. Keep only the clothing items that you absolutely love and that fit well. Get rid of anything else.
- Get rid of unnecessary electronics. We often have way more electronic devices than we actually need. If you can live without a certain gadget, get rid of it.
- Cook simple meals at home. Eating out all the time can be expensive and unhealthy. A great way to save money and eat better is to cook most of your meals at home using simple ingredients.
- Use a storage unit. If you’re not ready to get rid of all your stuff but want to start decluttering your home, consider renting a storage unit. This way, you can keep your belongings but they’ll be out of sight and out of mind.
- Reduce your paper usage. In this day and age, there’s really no need to use paper as much as we do. Try to go paperless as much as possible by doing things like reading books electronically and paying bills online.
- Live in a smaller home or apartment. Downsizing your living space is a great way to reduce the amount of stuff you have and save money on rent or a mortgage.
- Get rid of your car. If you live in a city, chances are you don’t need a car since you can get around using public transportation or by walking or biking. Getting rid of your car is a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Buy used instead of new. When you do need to buy something, try to buy it used instead of new. This cuts down on waste and helps you save money. For example, you could buy used furniture or clothing from a consignment shop or online marketplace.
- Reduce your energy usage. Save money on your utility bills by reducing your energy usage. You can do this by unplugging electronics when you’re not using them, turning off the lights when you leave a room, and wearing warmer clothes in the winter instead of cranking up the heat.
Creating a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. Just take it one step at a time and soon enough, you’ll be living more simply and with less stuff.
