If you’re new to minimalism or are just exploring what this lifestyle has to offer, there can be a lot to take in. Minimalism is something that may seem overwhelming, but that doesn’t have to be true. For anybody looking to get started, here are four basic principles to get you started.
1. Examine Your Priorities
The first step to living like minimalists is to take a step back and observe. Look at your home, your lifestyle, and your belongings, not to mention your attitude, all from an objective point of view.
The more you are able to view your details through an objective lens, the clearer you will be able to see what you need to change. For example, if you own multiple versions of the same thing or constantly spend a lot of time searching for the correct item of clothing in your wardrobe.
2. Declutter Every Part of Your Home
If you want to live with the least amount of clutter, you must get rid of a lot. This can seem overwhelming, but the most difficult part is getting started. Once you commit to clearing your home, the decluttering process is a cathartic experience.
The best way to start is by removing any duplicate items. Next, remove everything you do not use regularly. For example, magazines or books buried at the back of your bookshelf. As you go through your belongings, focus on removing the items you do not use, and pay particular attention to the things that do not bring any meaning to your life.
3. Store the Items You Cannot Part With
We all own items that we value, such as old family heirlooms. But sometimes, those items can take up too much space in your home. Putting them into storage is a practical solution. A local storage unit such as those found in this Park City self-storage facility is one of the many options for storing your treasured items while still keeping your home open and clear of clutter.
4. Be Grateful for What You Have
The fundamental tenet of minimalist living is about searching for contentment. As we start to remove items from our lives, and only keep the possessions that mean something, we start to think about how these precious few items bring a certain quality to our life.
Whether it’s the coffee machine that kick starts your morning routine or the painting that makes you smile every time you look at it, when you feel grateful for every little thing you own, it makes you appreciate these items more.
What’s more, you start to cast your mind back to when you needed items of every style and substance to keep you fulfilled, and how wrong you were. Minimalism involves living with the bare basics, but these are the basics that keep you fulfilled.
Life is not about having stuff in varying quantities, it’s about focusing on the qualities. Minimalism is not about getting rid of every personal possession but ensuring that each item serves a purpose and brings value to your life.
