Minimalist lifestyles have been in vogue for the past couple of decades, and it’s not hard to see why. Based on principles of truth, order, simplicity and harmony, minimalism encourages you to dispose of anything that no longer serves a purpose in your life. This can be as trivial as throwing out an old T-Shirt that no longer fits, or something more important, like cutting ties with a friend. Whatever area of your life has become useless, minimalism asks you to stop clinging on and, put simply, just get rid. But how do you go about becoming a minimalist? Where do you start? Before we get into it, let’s first take a look at the many benefits minimalism has to offer.
Benefits of the Minimalist Lifestyle
Having a clear out won’t leave you short – in fact, there’s a lot to be gained by getting rid of things that aren’t useful anymore. Here are some of the advantages of adopting a more modest way of life:
- Save money: once you know exactly what you need, you’re less likely to splurge on unnecessary purchases.
- Make money: why not go one step further and start selling your old items? Not only will you be saving, but you’ll actually be earning!
- Save time: less clutter means less time spent rummaging around your house, looking for something you need. Alternatively, if your version of minimalism involves turning down social invitations that don’t appeal to you, saying ‘no’ more often will give you more precious ‘me’ time.
- Cleaner, tidier home: having fewer belongings means tidying and cleaning your home is easier – a simple way to cultivate a pleasant living space.
- Reduce stress: can’t see the wood for the trees? an accumulation of things, material or otherwise, can often be overwhelming. Cutting through the stuff you don’t need can work wonders for mental clarity.
- Help the environment: through selling old goods, buying sustainable products and generally consuming less, minimalist living is often considered an eco-friendly practise.
Minimalism In 5 Steps
Whilst there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the minimalist lifestyle, these five steps are sure to point you in the right direction when it comes to embarking upon a journey of simplicity. Let’s take a look at our step-by-step guide to minimalism, designed to help beginners add some ease to day-to-day living.
1) Declutter and deep clean
Start as you mean to go on and clear all the rubbish from your property. From under the bed to the fridge in the kitchen, throw out anything that could be considered clutter from every area of the home. Once all the litter has gone, why not give your home a good scrub down – washing your sheets and towels, wiping down surfaces and vacuuming the carpets. After all, a clean home is a clean mind, right?
2) Write down your intentions
The next step is asking yourself what does and doesn’t serve you, so you have a strong idea of what your minimalist lifestyle will look like. Be honest and think about every aspect of your life – from your living quarters to your clothes. What area needs a good decluttering? Are you aiming for a full overhaul, or want to tackle a specific area that needs attention? Grab your journal and start documenting everything you want to get rid of, or at least downsize, no matter how big or small. This list could be called ‘belongings’, ‘habits’ or ‘clothes’ – however you wish to organise it, writing down your thoughts will start you off on a good footing.
3) Create a plan
Now that you know what needs to change, you can start to think about how you’re going to go about it. Perhaps you could make your very own ‘minimalism schedule’, where each day of the week you take one action, such as throwing away one item of clothing, that moves you a step closer to a more simplistic way of life. Make checklists and feel rewarded as you tick them off. Ultimately, preparation is always the key to success.
4) Discuss your intentions with loved ones
If you live with other people, it’s probably best to tell them about your lifestyle change so they can help you along the way. This is great way to ensure accountability and encouragement. Who knows? Family and friends could even choose to introduce more minimalistic practices into their lives as well.
5) Put your plan into action
Now that you have everything in place, it’s time to begin your new stripped back lifestyle. Focus on what you have to do on a daily basis to achieve your goals. One step at a time, you’ll slowly begin to see how easy this type of living really is – that’s the whole point, after all!
Minimalism Top Tips
Need some minimalist inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a rundown of top tips and tricks for all-things simple:
- Sell your old books and tech: got a load of books and electronics you no longer use laying around? Use Zapper to sell your old stuff for a cash return.
- Digitise: if you’re fed up of seeing stacks of family videos or DVD’s in the living room, digitisation is an easy way of reducing this clutter whilst safeguarding your favourite memories.
- Make simple swaps: exchange anything that makes your life complicated for something simple – for example, instead of scrolling through social media when you wake up, read a couple of chapters of that new book you’ve been meaning to get to.
- One in, one out: minimalism 101 – adding one new item means throwing out another, encouraging you to be more mindful when it comes to making purchases.
- Use it or lose it: it really is that simple, if you don’t use it, get rid! Apply this principle and see how many items end up in the rubbish bin (probably more than you bargained for).
Start selling your clutter today
So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about how to become a minimalist. Why not start today? With Zapper, you can effortlessly trade in your old goods for quick cash. Not only does this move you closer to a more simplistic lifestyle, but it earns you money and helps the environment through recycling. Head over to our homepage now to start trading your used items today!
