(If you just got here and are a little confused, click here to see what minimalism is all about)
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| Raw photo of a Colorado sunrise |
1. Start Slow
When I first decided I wanted to try minimalism, I went through a lot of my things and just put it all in a big giveaway pile. At the time I had mixed feelings - it felt great to be a part of this movement and I hoped to automatically feel relieved of the clutter in my life, but I also had this feeling of regret about things that I actually liked or felt guilty about getting rid of because it came from a special someone. And shortly after, I found myself taking things back out of the giveaway pile and going on a shopping spree to "reward myself" for the things I did get rid of. Kind of ironic, I know.
Unless you're packing up and moving on a year backpacking trip starting tomorrow, or you're so financially insecure that you have to sell a lot of your things, then start slow. Begin in one room, or one area of your life, and work your way towards another. It's also OK to get rid of a few items now and go back later to get rid of a few more.
2. Let Go of the Feeling of Obligation
I'm sure a lot of us have gone through things before to get rid of stuff and have the annual neighborhood garage sale. But many times we don't get rid of things because it was a gift that we feel guilty getting rid of or has sentimental value (click here for a whole post on that).
Ask yourself these questions:
Is that item the single thing that defines the relationship between you and that person?
Will getting rid of it mean forgetting the memory altogether?
Will the person even realize it's gone?
Minimalism isn't supposed to be about getting rid of things just for the sake of getting rid of them. I still have a stuffed dog that I've had for years named after my old dog Max. Getting rid of the stuffed animal won't completely erase my memories of Max, but having it around gives me a sense of comfort, so I keep it. On the other hand, I had these sea shells stuffed away in a box that I had taken from a beach in Jamaica. I had convinced myself that they were a souvenir that would allow me to remember that trip forever. I got rid of them because they didn't serve a purpose and I had plenty of pictures to remind me of that trip instead.
We should not feel obligated to keep things that we don't want. A lot of times it's easy to get rid of it and never mention it again. Sometimes you can regift those items to someone else who might enjoy it even more. And I promise that your long-gone ancestors will not haunt you if you get rid of those brooches that were passed down and somehow ended up in your house. Whatever the case, in order to be successful in minimizing your stuff, you have to let go of the feeling of obligation.
3. Closet
Usually the easiest place to start reducing is in your closet because it's easy to see what you have and haven't worn. Your closet includes tops, bottoms, underwear, shoes, and accessories.
- Make three piles: one keep, one giveaway, and one trash.
- Take an initial look. Identify duplicates, the pieces that you haven't worn in years, or the ones you simply don't like anymore.
- Take each item out one-by-one and try it on. Look in the mirror or have a friend whose opinion you really trust. If it doesn't fit right, give it away or throw it in the trash if it's in bad shape. If the color doesn't do your beautiful skin justice, give it away or throw it in the trash if it's in bad shape. If it doesn't fit your body type no matter how badly you want it to, give it away or throw it in the trash if it's in bad shape. If you love it, you love how you feel in it, and you can't stop looking at yourself in the mirror, then put it in the keep pile.
- Hang up/put away the items in the keep pile.
- Donate the items in the giveaway pile. If there are nice items or you're looking to score a little cash, try taking it to a resale store, like Plato's Closet, and see what they take and pay you for. Then donate the rest. Do not, I repeat, please do not store the leftover items until the next season so that you can try and sell them again.
Still having trouble? Try doing Project 333, which challenges you to only wear 33 items of clothing for 3 months. You'd be surprised how little people notice you're wearing the same clothes and which items become your favorite!
4. Technology
In this day in age, it's hard to find a place without some sort of technology - a cell phone, laptop, TV, game consoles, etc. Well guess what? It's adding stress to your life! Staring at a screen before bed can mess with your sleep cycle, and too much social media can make you feel lonely and depressed if you compare your life to only the good moments shared by other people. So minimize the stress in your life and gain freedom and happiness by going through your technology.
- Get rid of any old technology you're keeping in storage, whether it's broken phones, an old computer, or the old version of a Playstation. Find a Best Buy near you to recycle them or look online to see where you can mail it so they can recycle it for you.
- Go through the apps on your phone. I've even already created a post that helps you filter out the apps you don't use.
- Unsubscribe to any emails you're receiving. If you go to Unroll.Me, just type in your email address and it will give you a list of everything you're signed up to get emails from. When I did it, I found out I was on over 60 subscription lists!
- Subsidize your technology. If you have a smartphone and an iPod, get rid of the iPod and put all of your music on your phone. If you have a laptop and a Microsoft Surface, choose one and get rid of the other.
- Serious about going minimal? Cancel your cable. Not only will it save you money, but it will save you time from flipping between channels and give you an excuse to play a board game with your family instead of watching a show while eating dinner. Plus, let's face it, TV internet had pretty much everything you want to watch anyway.
5. Clear Your Schedule
Minimalism isn't just about getting rid of things, but finding freedom amongst the clutter in all aspects of your life, including your schedule. If you find yourself rushing from one thing to the other, constantly running late, or dreading the next day because you have so much to do, then it's time to filter out your schedule.
If part of the reason you're busy is because you're committed to a lot of people and organizations, prioritize. Are you a part of the PTA, member of the book club, and host a monthly dinner party? Or maybe you're a student who takes 15 hours, works part time, and is involved in a sorority. Decide what you enjoy being a part of the most and stick to those. Or maybe it's as simple as stepping down from a leadership position to free up some time without having to sacrifice the activity altogether.
For some people, this could be a big decision. Many minimalists can testify that they only found true happiness after quitting their stressful 6-figure job. Maybe it's time to get real with yourself and decide that you need to take a semester off of school to work and save up money instead of drowning yourself in more loan debt.
By finding time in your schedule, you're finding time for yourself.
6. Now Let's Tackle the Big Stuff
After you get a feel for what you're willing to get rid of and the best way to do so, you can take on bigger areas like a storage closet or your kitchen.
Here are the basics: if you've forgotten about it, it's a duplicate, you haven't used it in a long time, and/or it doesn't bring you joy, get rid of it. Be honest with yourself when going through everything.
7. Reward Yourself
Not in the sense of a shopping spree to replace everything you just got rid of (like I did), but reward yourself with experiences. Did you spend a long day in a dusty closet? Reward yourself with a pedicure or a facial. Did your friend help you move boxes of giveaway items to your car? Offer to buy a coffee together. Or maybe you were able to sell a big piece of furniture and you want to revamp the room with a fresh coat of paint. Reward yourself for finding freedom.
I know this is an unusually long post, but I just want to make sure you are prepared to start your journey through minimalism. I promise you, it'll be worth it!
If you have any questions or concerns, or think that I missed something, please comment below!👇
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