Back to basics and less is more, are the motto’s of most people who choose to live the minimalist lifestyle. It sounds like emotional freedom from consumerism, material possessions, clutter and debt. We are a generation that prides itself on the accumulation of stuff and where everything needs to be bigger and better.
The minimalist lifestyle is the opposite of all that, you live above your possessions and only have what you need. This does not mean it cannot be expensive or beautiful, but everything that you own has its necessity in your life. You throw out what you do not use and need, in order to focus on the things you do need.
Although this lifestyle may not be for everyone, it definitely has its benefits. It makes cleaning so much easier and you are not focussed anymore on material possessions which, lets be honest, will save you a lot of time. In stead you focus on improving and developing yourself.
Of course you do not want to throw all your beautiful clothes, bags and shoes out straight away, you want to start easy. The next 7 tips will help you to make a start with the minimalist lifestyle or simply help you to purge your life!
#1 – Create Room For What Is Important
What are the basics that you need in order to live your life? You do not need 15 towels or 7 pots when you live alone. When we purge our house we create peace and space, which we can use to fill up our lives with meaning instead of material possessions.
#2 – No Bargain Hunting
Probably the hardest one of them all. You do not need to buy that dress because it is in sale (a sentence I told myself 1000 times!). Buy what you need and only when you need it!
#3 – Do Not Focus On Material Possessions
All the stuff and materialistic things are just a distraction. The media presents us that happiness falls and stands with our material possessions, but money cannot buy happiness, just comfort. There is nothing wrong with enjoying stuff, just realize that you do not need it!
#4 – Do Not Organize But Purge
Everything in your house should have its function. Set a deadline for yourself, if you have not touched a certain item in x months, you bring it to charity or give it away. Do not restore or re-organize it, you did not need it all these months, you won’t need it now.
#5 – Keep Everything Clean
Clean house, clear head! There is nothing better than coming home to a clean, purge, minimalist house were everything has its function. You can focus on the more important things in life and because you have the minimum in your house, cleaning will be 100 quicker.
#6 – Make A Wish List
In stead of spending money on material things, invest in yourself! Go follow the language course abroad that you always wanted to follow, go do your masters or learn that discipline that you always wanted to learn but never had the time or money for (because you spend it on material things).
#7 – If You Do Not Use It, Lose It!
Less laundry and less hassle with ‘What to wear’. Give away the clothes that you do not need, and keep some basic and key items that you can use in different outfits.
Would you be able to live the minimalist lifestyle? Let us know and don’t forget to enter our amazing CHANEL giveaway!
Fantastic! I have been working through many of these tactics lately and it really reveals how much clutter blocks our view and access to the meaningful parts of our lives. Days spent cleaning and buying clutter takes away from time to reflect and enjoy. Minimal doesn’t need to be bare bones essentials, but should work to remove as much clutter and unnecessary bits in our lives as possible.
Cheers!
Thanks for all of this great info and tips.
I love it! It’s so inspirational. I only have a small appartment and I’ve realised that I don’t need more stuff. Hopefully soon I will move to a bigger place but I will not take all my stuff with me. I want a blank page with only things that I love <3
Really good tips and food for thought. thanks for sharing.
I need to start thinking like this!! Great post
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
This is a great list! I have been trying to declutter my home as much as possible — I want less storage space and more living space!
This is what I need to start doing. I’m terrible for impulse buying too. Great post, and beautiful rooms.
Jess X
http://chasinglifeandme.blogspot.com/
This is great! When we clear our “physical” clutter our space is more inviting and we able to “breath” easier. It can also be a huge step towards clearing our “mental” clutter too -freeing us from whatever might be holding us back in our lives….helping us be feel productive. And p.s. I have that whole “bargain” thing going on. I will remember this article the next time I’m drawn to a “sale rack”. Thanks!