How to be a minimalist?

A lot of people struggle with clutter. Minimalism helps them deal with it. It’s not just a design trend; it’s a lifestyle change that’s gaining popularity. Minimalism is about living with less and appreciating more. It has its roots in Buddhism and was coined in the sixties by a British art theorist. 

If you’re curious about minimalist living and want to incorporate it into your home, this article is for you. We’ll explore how to be a minimalist and its benefits and provide practical tips to help you embrace a minimalist mindset. 

 

Source: Pinterest (Behance)

 

What is a minimalist?

Minimalist is about identifying what truly matters in your life and letting go of everything else. You can find similar principles in Stoicism and Buddhism, where the goal is to embrace a simpler way of being. 

Minimalism means intentionally focusing on what you value most and removing distractions. It applies to various aspects of life, including your schedule, relationships, and especially your home. A minimalist home is purposefully designed, with each item serving a specific function. By living with fewer possessions, you have more time and energy for the things that truly bring you joy and fulfilment.

 

Minimalism: Benefits

• Owing fewer items means spending less and having more funds for meaningful experiences and quality time with loved ones.
• A minimalist home reduces stress and anxiety by decluttering your surroundings.
• By consuming less, you contribute to a healthier planet and minimise resource depletion.
• You appreciate and cherish the few meaningful possessions in your life, promoting mindfulness.
• Experience tranquillity in an uncluttered environment crafted intentionally.
• Removing distractions enables better concentration on tasks at hand.
• Living intentionally makes you more precise about your life’s direction and decisions.
• Minimalism frees up mental space for creative exploration and play.
• Evaluating what you want leads to a deeper understanding of yourself.
• Less cleaning, organising, and shopping allows more time to focus on what truly matters to you.
• Uncluttered spaces are universally appealing and visually pleasing.
• Minimalism brings clarity, resulting in increased energy and vitality.
• Prioritising health becomes more manageable without the distractions of excess belongings.

 

Source: Pinterest (Style Mali)

 

14 easy tips to be a minimalist

Minimalism means different things to different people. Consider your lifestyle, needs, and desires to establish your version of minimalism. Whether decluttering, downsizing, or simplifying your living space, ensure it’s sustainable and achievable. The followings are some practical and easy ways to become a minimalist:

 

Start fresh

Begin your minimalist journey by getting rid of unnecessary items. Identify and discard things that serve no purpose to take up unnecessary space. Its clean slate will provide a foundation for your minimalist lifestyle.

 

Use it or lose it

Embrace the “use it or lose it” rule. If you haven’t used an item at least twice in the last six months, it’s time to let it go. Be mindful of seasonal items and assess their regular use. Gradually reduce possessions unused within three months, focusing on keeping only what you need now.

 

Organise by category

Declutter and organise your home systematically. Rather than organising room by room, tackle by category. For example, gather all writing utensils from various locations and consolidate them. This approach prevents unnecessary duplication.

 

Ask the tough questions

Overcome emotional attachments to sentimental items. When deciding whether to keep something, ask yourself three critical questions: Is it helpful? Is it unique? Does it bring joy or love? If an item meets any of these criteria, it can stay. Let go of duplicates or things that don’t resonate with you.

 

Source: Pinterest (Viva Decora)

 

Embrace multipurpose items

Opt for items that serve multiple functions. Choose versatile kitchen utensils, furniture with space-saving features, or bedding that adapts to different seasons. This way, you’ll minimise the number of possessions while maximising their usefulness.

 

Optimise space

Instead of focusing solely on minimising possessions, consider minimising their space. Utilise vertical storage options, hang items under cabinets and digitise photo albums to save physical space. Make your home feel more open and streamlined.

 

Practise mindful consumption

After decluttering, maintain a minimalist lifestyle by being intentional about what you bring into your home. Remove one item for every new purchase, set spending limits, and unsubscribe from unnecessary subscriptions. By consuming less, you’ll save money and avoid undoing your efforts.

 

Focus on one room at a time

Begin your decluttering journey by focusing on one room at a time. This approach prevents overwhelm and allows you to see tangible progress. Start with the most accessible room and use it as inspiration for the rest of your home.

 

Begin with visible areas

Start decluttering visible areas like shelves, furniture, and floors before moving to hidden spaces like drawers and cabinets. Seeing visible progress will motivate you to continue.

 

Limit decorations to meaningful items

Select decorations with exceptional value or meaning, such as family photos or heirlooms. By minimising decor and focusing on meaningful items, you’ll enhance the significance of each piece.

 

Source: Pinterest (camillestyles.com)

 

Maintain regular tidiness

Develop good cleaning habits to keep your minimalist home clutter-free. Determine which spaces need daily, weekly, or seasonal attention and make tidying up a regular part of your routine.

 

Resist the urge to acquire

Overcome the temptation to buy more by minimising exposure to advertising and materialistic influences. Reflect on your true preferences and seek happiness in experiences rather than possessions.

 

Embrace purpose

Understand personal motivations for embracing minimalism. Whether saving money, spending more time with loved ones, or living more intentionally, let your purpose guide your minimalist journey.

 

Maintaining a minimalist home: Strategies for clutter-free living

Living a minimalist lifestyle is not just about decluttering and organising your home once; it’s an ongoing commitment to keeping your space clean, organised and free from unnecessary possessions. Here are some strategies to help you maintain a clutter-free and minimalist home:

• Regular Decluttering: Set aside dedicated time intervals, such as once a month or every season, to assess your belongings and let go of items you no longer need or love. Be ruthless in your decision-making process and focus on keeping only what truly adds value to your life.

• One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, whether it’s a piece of clothing, decor item or kitchen gadget, commit to removing one similar item. This practice ensures that your possessions remain balanced and prevents accumulation.

• Smart Storage Solutions: Invest in practical and efficient storage solutions that align with your minimalist lifestyle. Utilise bins, baskets and shelves to keep items organised and out of sight. Maximise vertical space and make use of hidden storage options, such as under-bed storage or furniture with built-in compartments.

• Mindful Shopping Habits: Adopt a mindful approach to shopping by questioning every purchase. Before buying something, ask yourself if it aligns with your values, serves a practical purpose or brings you genuine joy. Avoid impulse buying and focus on quality over quantity.

• Clear Surfaces Daily: Make it a habit to clear and declutter surfaces like countertops, tables and desks on a daily basis. Return items to their designated places and resist the urge to let clutter accumulate. Keeping surfaces clean and minimal creates a sense of calm and order.

• Digital Decluttering: Extend your minimalist principles to your digital life. Regularly clean up your digital devices by deleting unnecessary files, organising digital folders and unsubscribing from email lists that no longer serve you. Limit your screen time and be intentional with the apps and digital content you engage with.

• Practice Mindfulness: Embrace a mindful and intentional mindset when it comes to your possessions. Be aware of your shopping habits, reflect on your needs versus wants and appreciate the value of experiences over material possessions. Cultivating mindfulness will help you make conscious choices that support a clutter-free lifestyle.

 

FAQs

How do I maintain a minimalist lifestyle?

To maintain a minimalist lifestyle, develop regular cleansing habits, keep only the essentials, and limit decorations to meaningful items. Also, resist the temptation to acquire more, and let your purpose guide your minimalist journey.

Can minimalist living be customised to my lifestyle?

Yes, you can tailor minimalist living according to your lifestyle. Consider your needs, desires, and individual circumstances. It helps to establish your own version of minimalism that is sustainable and achievable for you.

Will minimalist living make me happier?

Yes, minimalist living contributes to increased happiness. It also fulfils by allowing you to focus on what truly matters to you. It reduces the burden of excessive possessions and distractions.

Can minimalist living be applied to other areas of life besides home?

Yes, minimalist living can be applied to various aspects of life. It includes your schedule, relationships, and personal goals. It involves intentionally focusing on what you value most and removing distractions in all areas of your life.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com