If you’re like me, your home is a place to relax, unwind and recharge. But if it’s more of a place to hide from the world, that’s not good for anyone.
That’s why I decided to simplify my life by decluttering—and here are my top tips to help you do the same!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Minimalism can help promote sustainability and reduce waste in your lifestyle. |
| 2. Simplifying your surroundings can contribute to better mental health and overall wellbeing. |
| 3. Decluttering can be achieved through practical tips and tricks, and can lead to a more organized and inviting living space. |
| 4. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle can offer a range of benefits, including reduced stress, increased creativity, and more meaningful experiences. |
| 5. Creating a cozy and organized bedroom can contribute to a restful and reinvigorating sleep environment. |
What Is Minimalism?
Minimalism is the pursuit of a lifestyle that is simple and meaningful. It’s about removing the excess from our lives and finding what truly matters to us. It’s about living with intention.
You might be wondering, how can I simplify my life? Minimalism sounds like it would be really difficult! But actually, minimalism isn’t just for people who want to give away everything they own or live in a tiny house (although those are great things).
It’s really just about figuring out where your priorities lie and even if you don’t feel like you have extra stuff taking up too much space in your life right now, there’s always something else that could go!
Looking to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle while decluttering your home? Check out our guide on Minimalism Meets Sustainability for tips on minimizing waste and maximizing sustainability in your life.
Declutter Your Home
Your home is the biggest space you have to declutter, so let’s start there. Cleaning out your closet is probably a good place to start, but don’t stop there! Next up should be drawers in both your bedroom and bathroom.
After that, check out the garage and kitchen. If you have time left over (and who doesn’t?), move on to other rooms: living room, office(s), car(s).
| Room/Space | Brand/Example |
|---|---|
| Closet | elfa Closet System |
| Bedroom drawers | IKEA Hemnes Drawers |
| Bathroom drawers | MUJI Acrylic Drawers |
| Garage | Rubbermaid FastTrack Garage System |
| Kitchen | OXO Pop Containers |
| Living Room | West Elm Storage Ottomans |
| Home Office | The Container Store Desk Organizers |
| Car | High Road Car Organizers |
When it comes to decluttering, the home is often the first area to focus on. Starting with the closet, consider organizing items using a system such as elfa’s closet system for ease of use. For bedroom drawers, IKEA’s Hemnes drawers provide ample storage space while maintaining a sleek design. MUJI’s acrylic drawers are a popular option for organizing bathroom supplies.
In the garage, the Rubbermaid FastTrack garage system can help keep things tidy and accessible. When organizing the kitchen, consider investing in OXO’s pop containers to maximize pantry space. West Elm’s storage ottomans and The Container Store’s desk organizers can help with decluttering the living room and office spaces, respectively.
Lastly, for those looking to declutter their cars, High Road offers a variety of car organizers to help make the most out of limited space.Regenerate response
Keep Only What You Need
The first step in minimalism is to keep only what you need, and get rid of anything you don’t. This may seem obvious but it’s not necessarily so simple when you’re used to living your life according to rules that weren’t meant for a minimalist lifestyle.
The first thing we need is an understanding that there are no rules here: if something doesn’t make sense or fit into our current way of living (or if it’s simply taking up space), then let it go!
There are three main reasons why someone might want/need something: 1) because they like having access; 2) because they think someone else wants/needs it; 3) because they know how much work would go into getting rid of it
Avoid Compulsive Consumerism
You need to avoid compulsive consumerism. This is a problem that can easily happen, especially if you’re used to seeing ads everywhere telling you how much better life will be if you buy a new car or an expensive pair of shoes.
The only way to stop this problem is not buying anything at all, but that’s not very practical for most people (it would make them poor).
Instead, focus on buying things that are necessary for daily life: food, clothes and shelter. Everything else should be put off until later when it becomes absolutely necessary (if ever).
Decluttering your life can have a positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Read our blog post on Minimalism and Mental Health to learn more about the benefits of simplifying your surroundings for a healthier mind.
Resist The Urge To Compete With Others
You’re not going to be the only one who is doing this. You are likely surrounded by people who have things they want to get rid of, or who could benefit from having less stuff. The more people that do this and share their journey with each other, the better it will be for everyone!
Remember: You don’t have to compete with anyone and you definitely shouldn’t try to compete with the Instagram accounts of others.
If you follow them online and feel like your life isn’t as “perfect” as theirs, don’t worry about it! Your authentic self is just fine as is.
| Collaborative Efforts | Brand/Example |
|---|---|
| Community garage sales | Facebook Marketplace |
| Donation drives | Goodwill |
| Neighborhood yard sales | Craigslist |
| Minimalist communities | Reddit’s r/minimalism |
When embarking on a minimalist journey, it is important to resist the urge to compete with others, as minimalism should be approached as a personal lifestyle choice rather than a competition. Instead, seek out collaborative efforts that promote sustainable living and decluttering.
Community garage sales and donation drives organized by Goodwill can provide opportunities to donate unwanted items and promote sustainability in a collaborative effort.
Neighborhood yard sales or utilizing platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist can also create opportunities to pass on items to others who may have a use for them. Joining minimalist communities such as Reddit’s r/minimalism can offer support and encouragement for those pursuing a simpler lifestyle.
Embrace The Aesthetic Of Less
The first step to embracing minimalism is to embrace the aesthetic. If you’re going to get rid of all but the bare essentials, then everything in your life needs to be as simple and neutral as possible.
That means no more frills or fancies. No more unnecessary clutter or knick-knacks lying around on tables and shelves.
It’s time for everything in your household from artwork and furnishings to decor items to be streamlined, simple, streamlined, subtlety modern (or even a little retro), streamlined: think clean lines and neutral colors like white or black instead of bold patterns or bright hues.
This will also help you stay true to the philosophy of less being more: by stripping away all things superfluous from your home life, you’ll focus more on what’s really important rather than getting caught up in material goods that end up weighing you down over time (or worse yet – taking over).
Are you feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your home or office? Our guide on The Art of Decluttering can help! We share valuable tips and tricks for simplifying your space and decluttering your life.
Learn To Live With Less Stuff
When it comes to decluttering, you don’t have to be perfect. You can go at your own pace, and there’s no need to feel like you need everything in the house! It’s okay if there are some things that you don’t even want anymore.
There is no shame in having too much stuff or not having the newest gadgets on the market! If anything, having a lot of clutter can make life harder by making it harder for us to do things like find our keys when we’re running late for work or look up recipes online when we want dinner ideas.
Travel With All You Need (And Just What You Need)
The next time you travel, try packing as light as possible. This can be done by bringing a small bag with you that only contains what you will need for the trip.
You should leave the rest at home so that if there is an emergency, or if something goes wrong, all of your important items are readily accessible and ready to use.
Don’t bring anything extra along with you if it isn’t absolutely necessary for this trip because this can lead to over-packing which will cause more stress than necessary when traveling.
When traveling by plane: The TSA requires travelers not carry on more than one carry-on bag plus one personal item (purse or laptop case).
If they check their luggage they may also bring a second piece of hand luggage in addition to their checked luggage allowance and any other personal belongings such as shoes or jackets which do not fit into their hand luggage allowance but could be used throughout the flight or at their destination city once they arrive there safely
Curious about the benefits of embracing a minimalist lifestyle? Our blog post, Why Less is More, explores the positive impact that simplifying your life can have on your mental and physical health, as well as your overall wellbeing.
Embrace Imperfections
When you’re working on your own personal brand of minimalism, it’s important to embrace imperfections.
You don’t have to be perfect! In fact, the rich texture and subtle beauty that comes with flaws can actually make something more meaningful.
Don’t try to be perfect for anyone else but yourself. Don’t compare yourself with other people or what they have (or don’t have). It’s not worth it!
| Imperfection | Brand/Example |
|---|---|
| Tarnished metal utensils | OXO Good Grips |
| Blemished fruits and vegetables | Imperfect Foods |
| Secondhand clothing | Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) |
| Nicks and scratches on furniture | West Elm reclaimed wood furniture |
| Scratched and dented appliances | Best Buy Outlet |
| Misshapen baked goods | Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers |
| Minor cosmetic wear on electronic devices | Gazelle Refurbished Electronics |
When pursuing minimalism, it is important to remember that imperfections and flaws can add character and uniqueness to your possessions. Rather than seeking perfection, embrace the beauty in the imperfect and find value in items that might otherwise be discarded.
Many brands offer products that celebrate imperfections, such as OXO Good Grips’ tarnished metal utensils or food delivery service Imperfect Foods’ blemished produce subscription.
Additionally, opting for secondhand clothing from thrift stores or investing in West Elm’s reclaimed wood furniture can help promote sustainability while embracing individuality.
Give Yourself A Break From Technology
Giving yourself a break from technology is one of the best ways to start simplifying your life. Phone addiction is a real thing, and it can be hard when you love your phone so much. But try not to feel guilty about taking breaks from technology or disconnecting. It’s good for you!
If you need some inspiration on how to take more breaks from social media, check out this great article by Ann-Marie Alcantara titled “How To Get Away From Social Media Without FOMO And Why It’s Good For You”
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. For helpful tips on how to create a cozy and organized sleeping space, check out our guide on Creating a Cozy and Organized Bedroom. From decluttering to maximizing storage space, we provide practical advice to help you create your dream bedroom.
Conclusion
No matter if you’re new to minimalism or just want to start living more intentionally, we hope this guide has given you the tools and inspiration to get started.
You don’t need a lot of stuff in order to live an awesome life, and by decluttering your home and embracing simplicity, you can free up time for other things that are important to you.
Whether it’s spending more time with friends and family or exploring nature or maybe even taking up gardening! the world has so much beauty waiting for anyone willing to look up from their phone screen once in awhile.
Further reading
Looking for more resources to help you declutter and simplify your life? Check out these helpful articles:
Decluttering: A Beginner’s Guide: This informative guide offers practical tips for tackling clutter and organizing your space, with an emphasis on minimizing waste and promoting sustainability.
Minimalism and Decluttering: A Guide to Simplifying Your Life: This comprehensive guide offers a holistic approach to decluttering, with tips on simplifying your possessions, streamlining your schedule, and finding inner peace amidst the chaos.
10 Creative Ways to Declutter Your Home: This inspiring article offers out-of-the-box ideas for reducing clutter in your home, from repurposing old items to finding creative storage solutions.
FAQs
What is minimalism?
Minimalism is a lifestyle philosophy that emphasizes living with less. The goal of minimalism is to simplify your life by reducing the amount of possessions and distractions in your surroundings, which can in turn promote greater focus, clarity, and contentment.
How do I start decluttering my home?
To start decluttering your home, begin by identifying problem areas and setting achievable goals. Work through one area at a time, sorting your items into categories such as donate, recycle, or keep. Remember to be honest with yourself about what you truly need and use, and don’t be afraid to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life.
Do I have to get rid of everything to be a minimalist?
No, minimalism is not about living with nothing. Rather, it is about being intentional with your possessions and curating a collection of items that bring joy and value to your life. This may mean letting go of things that no longer serve a purpose, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to get rid of everything.
How can I simplify my schedule?
To simplify your schedule, start by identifying your core responsibilities and priorities, and focus on those first. Learn to say no to unnecessary commitments, and make time for self-care and relaxation. You may also consider streamlining your routine by creating daily habits and routines that work for you.
What are some benefits of minimalism?
Minimalism offers a range of benefits, including reduced stress, greater clarity and focus, increased creativity, and improved mental health. By simplifying your possessions and surroundings, you can free up mental and physical space for more meaningful experiences and connections.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.