There’s a minimalist mindset that has been gaining popularity in the last few years. In this article, we’ll talk about what it is, how you can implement it into your life and why it will make you happier and more productive.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Embrace minimalism by reducing the excess in your life and focusing on the things that really matter. |
| – Simplifying your space and removing clutter can lead to mental clarity and peacefulness. |
| – Minimalism doesn’t have to be an expensive lifestyle – you can live with less without breaking the bank. |
| – Practicing minimalism can help reduce stress and lead to a more intentional life. |
| – Decluttering can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. |
Decide What To Focus On
You can’t control everything that happens in your life, but you can decide what to focus on. If someone is mad at you, for example, it’s easy to focus on their anger instead of the situation itself.
Instead of taking the negative energy and spreading it around yourself, try thinking about how this person might be upset with something else (like an argument they had with their boss) and think about how best to handle that problem instead of worrying about whether or not they’ll forgive you for posting nude photos online.
It doesn’t matter if others are judging or criticizing your decisions what matters is what YOU think!
So if someone says something harsh about one decision made by yours truly (and I’m sure there will be plenty), remember: They’re just jealous because nobody wants their life as simple as mine!
Minimalism is all about reducing the excess in our lives and focusing on the things that really matter. If you’re new to minimalism and looking to simplify your space, check out our guide on Minimalism 101 to learn how to declutter and simplify your life.
Stop Thinking In Absolutes
One thing that’s helped me become a minimalist is to stop thinking in absolutes. This means that I’m no longer using words like “always,” “never,” or “should.” Instead, I say things like “maybe” and “I don’t know.”
Here are some examples of absolutes that you may be saying without even realizing it:
- You never eat breakfast. (You should actually eat breakfast every day.)
- You never talk to strangers. (Talking to people who don’t know you can be a great way to build community and meet new people.)
- The kitchen is always messy. (The kitchen may get messy once in a while, but it doesn’t have to stay messy all the time!)
| Brand | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Headspace | Meditation | Practice meditation with apps like Headspace to learn how to let go of negative thought patterns and cultivate a more open mindset. |
| BetterHelp | Therapy | Consider therapy or counseling services, such as those offered by BetterHelp, to work through issues related to perfectionism and black and white thinking. |
| Notion | Productivity | Use productivity tools, like Notion, to create flexible to-do lists and schedules that allow for changes and uncertainties. |
| Samsung | Galaxy | Use Samsung’s Bixby routines feature to set flexible routines that adapt to your habits and needs. |
Note: These are just a few examples of how you can stop thinking in absolutes. It’s important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Embrace The Power Of “No”
It can be hard to say “no”. We don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, or we feel guilty saying no if they have worked so hard on something, or maybe we just don’t want to miss out on something fun!
But when it comes down to it, if you’re saying “yes” when you really mean “no”, you end up spreading yourself thin and being pulled in many different directions at once. This leads not only to stress but also resentment and exhaustion not a great combination for anyone!
So how do we keep ourselves from getting overwhelmed? It all begins with learning how to say “no”.
Clutter can lead to overwhelming feelings and added stress in our daily lives. By simplifying and decluttering our spaces, we can create more room for mental clarity and peacefulness. Learn more about how minimalism can improve your mental health in our guide.
Keep Your Environment Uncluttered
Keep your environment uncluttered. If you have a lot of stuff, you’ll feel like the world is full of stuff to do and things to see.
You can be overwhelmed by all the tasks at hand and feel like there are too many options for what to do next. The solution? Get rid of some of that stuff! This will help keep your mind clear and make it easier for you to relax.
How do I get rid of things? You can sell items on Craigslist or eBay; donate them to Goodwill or other thrift stores; trade them with friends who might have an interest in using them; or simply throw away things that no longer serve any purpose for you (and don’t worry about throwing away anything too valuable).
| Brand | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA | Furniture | Use multi-functional furniture pieces, like storage ottomans or bed frames with built-in drawers, to reduce clutter in your home. |
| The Container Store | Storage | Use storage solutions, such as stackable bins or shelving units, to organize and declutter your space. |
| Marie Kondo | Method | Follow the KonMari method, as popularized by Marie Kondo, to declutter and organize your home by category. |
| Dyson | Vacuum | Keep your environment uncluttered and clean with a high-quality vacuum, such as those offered by Dyson. |
Note: These are just a few examples of how you can keep your environment uncluttered. It’s important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Share Your Space With Fewer People
We’re all familiar with the idea of “one person, one room”, but this can be taken even further. Sharing a space with only two or three people is much easier than sharing it with ten or twelve.
You can share a kitchen, bathroom and living room for example – now that you’re not home all day long, you won’t need as much space to entertain friends and family in these areas either.
Spend Time In Nature
The next time you need a breather, head to the mountains or beach. Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and improve your mood—and that’s not all! It can also improve your sleep quality, make you healthier, and even help you live longer.
Many people perceive minimalism as an expensive lifestyle, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can live with less without breaking the bank. We’ve compiled a list of helpful tips and tricks in our guide, Minimalism on a Budget, to show you how.
Disconnect From Mobile Devices
Disconnect from mobile devices. One of the easiest ways to declutter your life is by ceasing your dependency on mobile devices.
If you’re like most people, you check your phone multiple times a day for emails and social media notifications, and it can be tempting to keep scrolling even when there’s nothing important in your inbox or feed. But what if every time you checked your phone, it was just as easy to set it down?
The first step toward disconnecting from an unhealthy pattern of phone use is realizing how much time we spend staring at our screens while away from home and then setting limits on that time. After all, we don’t need constant access to information 24/7; we just think we do because we’re always connected online.
Try setting aside only one hour per day where you allow yourself to check email and social media accounts (or whatever other sites are bringing anxiety into your life). Or perhaps take an entire weekend off from using these devices altogether!
The important thing is learning how much time away from technology makes us feel more rested, calm and contented with our lives overall and then making sure we practice that regularly so that our stress levels remain low throughout the week (or month).
While disconnecting from technology can be difficult (especially for those who work in creative fields), it’s not impossible and doing so will help bring balance back into their lives so they can focus on what really matters most: spending quality time with loved ones instead of worrying about whether some person “liked” their latest Instagram post
| Brand | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | iPhone | Turn off notifications and limit screen time with Apple’s Screen Time feature to reduce phone use. |
| Samsung | Galaxy | Use Samsung’s Digital Wellbeing feature to set goals and limits on device usage. |
| Pixel | Use Google’s Digital Wellbeing feature to track and monitor device usage and set time limits. | |
| Fitbit | Smartwatch | Wear a smartwatch with notifications turned off to decrease your dependency on your phone. |
Note: These are just a few examples of how you can disconnect from mobile devices. It’s important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Be Still Each Day
Take time to be still each day.
Take time to “be” – in the present moment, with no distractions or interruptions. This practice is important because it helps you understand your own mind, and how it works.
By being still 100% of the time, you can tune into your thoughts and feelings without being distracted by outside influences like social media or television.
You may find that when you’re not moving around physically, your mind will also start to slow down so that you can think more clearly about what’s going on inside of yourself at any given moment in time (or even better yet: why exactly are we here?).
In a world that constantly tells us to buy more and have more, practicing minimalism can be a refreshing change. Minimalism can help reduce stress and lead to a more intentional life. Read more about the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle in our guide.
Let Go Of Toxic Beliefs And Relationships
You must also let go of toxic beliefs and relationships. You are the only one who can decide what’s worth keeping and what’s not. If something makes you feel awful, don’t keep it around just because it has sentimental value or came from someone you love. The same goes for toxic people in your life who drag you down with their words or actions they are not worth keeping either!
The power of letting go is immense. It allows us to free ourselves from toxic thoughts and emotions so we can focus on what is important our own happiness and well-being through simplicity!
Decluttering can be a daunting task, but with the right mindset and approach, it can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. Get started on simplifying your space with our guide, The Art of Decluttering, where we share tips and tricks to help you simplify your life.
Conclusion
I hope this article inspires you to simplify your life. If you’re looking for more tips and tricks, check out our blog! We have lots of great content that will help you make the most out of every moment.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on the minimalist mindset to help you simplify your life even further:
The Minimalist Mindset: How to Live More with Less: This article explains how to embrace minimalism and simplify your life, with tips and tricks for decluttering, organizing, and downsizing.
The Plain Simple Life – Minimalist Mindset: This blog post provides an overview of the minimalist mindset, explaining how to shift from consumerism to a more simple and meaningful life.
Caffeinated Minimalist – Simplify Your Life: The Ultimate Guide: This guide offers practical tips and tricks to help you simplify your life and reduce stress, from decluttering your home to simplifying your schedule.
FAQs
What is the minimalist mindset?
The minimalist mindset is all about simplifying your life by embracing the philosophy of “less is more.” Rather than focusing on material possessions or the accumulation of things, a minimalist approach emphasizes living with intention and reducing clutter and distractions in your life.
Why is the minimalist mindset beneficial?
Embracing a minimalist mindset can have several benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, promoting mental clarity and focus, improving relationships, and helping you live a more intentional and fulfilling life.
How do I get started with the minimalist mindset?
If you’re interested in embracing a minimalist mindset, start by decluttering your home and getting rid of things you don’t need or use. Next, work on simplifying your schedule and prioritizing the things that are most important to you. Use resources such as books, blogs, and podcasts to learn more about the philosophy and find tips and inspiration.
Can the minimalist mindset work for families?
Yes, the minimalist mindset can be applied to families with children, although it may require some adjustments and creative thinking. By simplifying your home and schedule, you can create more time and space for quality time together as a family.
What are some common misconceptions about the minimalist mindset?
One common misconception about minimalism is that it requires you to give up all of your possessions or live in an empty space. However, minimalism is more about intentionality and reducing excess, rather than simply giving up everything you own. Additionally, minimalism is a personal choice and doesn’t have to be adopted in an “all or nothing” way – it’s about finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.
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.