Have you been thinking about starting your own minimalism journey? Or have you already started embracing a minimalist lifestyle just to soon discover how overwhelming it is to part ways with the things you’ve had for a long time? If you find yourself struggling with being a minimalist in any way, then this post is for you.
I hope this post will help you get into minimalism and make it enjoyable.
1. Define what minimalism means for you.
”I’ve learned that minimalism is not about what you own, it’s about why you own it.” – Brian Gardner
A lot of people perceive minimalists as people who own only a few shirts, one pair of shoes and still somehow manage to switch through all seasons.
Minimalism is much more than your material possessions and I apply it in all areas of my life. For me, minimalism means bringing value into your life. If you have 5 shirts because you only really enjoy wearing those or you have 15 of them because you’re interested in fashion and see it as a way of expressing yourself and your creativity, both cases are minimalist in my opinion.
As long as each thing you own provides you value, and as long as each and every person you surround yourself with (online and in real life) is making you feel good – you are on the right path. Of course, this is only my point of view. But that’s the thing about minimalism – you can create your own definition.
What does minimalism mean for you? What meaning do you want minimalism to have in your life?
Those are some questions for you to answer on your own when you’re just getting into a minimalist lifestyle.
Read next:
9 Ways Minimalism Changed My Life for the Better
2. Why specifically do you want to be a minimalist?
Is it because you’re starting to realize that even though you have a closet full of clothes, you’re still switching between your few favorite outfits? Or do you find yourself wasting your time perpetually organizing and cleaning, and wasting your money on boxes and drawers to make organizing things easier?
Whatever the reason may be, finding the answer as to why you want to start your minimalist lifestyle is going to help you when you start your decluttering process and you start to question whether or not you should part ways with that shirt your mum bought you a few years ago and you don’t even like it, but… your mum bought it…
What is it about minimalism that interests you?
Why do you want to declutter your life?
What is it that you want to change with minimalism?
Read next:
10 Things I Stopped Buying // Minimalist Tips to Save Money
15 More Things I Don’t Buy Anymore // How to Save Money
3. Start decluttering.
Just start getting rid of things you don’t find valuable, simple as that. Take small steps.
Even getting rid of 1 thing every day will help you build momentum and lead to great results. Or get rid of a bunch of things all at once, whatever makes you feel good. The key is to start.
There are tons of tips specifically for decluttering so I won’t get into details about that in this post, I’ll just name a few (aesthetically pleasing) YouTube channels that have helped me when I was starting my own journey of minimalist lifestyle.
Rachel Aust and her minimalism series
MuchelleB and her life-changing ”30 days to simplify your life” challenge
Madeleine Olivia and heaps of her minimalism videos for your binging pleasure
SAVE FOR LATER 🙂
4. What if you live with a non – minimalist or a hoarder?
”Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like” – Will Rogers
Sometimes it can be frustrating if, on one hand, we are falling in love with the minimalist lifestyle and we’re doing so great but, on the other hand, a person we live with is constantly buying new things which they (from our perspective) don’t need.
And that way it may seem that they are cluttering our space as well. Don’t stress about their journey. Focus on your own journey and lead by example. Don’t judge others if they are not at the same point in life as you are. Accept them and enjoy your differences.
Also, here is an entire post I wrote on this topic – living with a non-minimalist, so check it out if this is something you find relatable.
5. Make a minimalist lifestyle fun.
Minimalism is a journey. We constantly buy new things and our relationships change, so don’t think of it as a one-time destination that you’ll reach and that’s going to be it. Think of it as something that you can improve each time while seeing yourself growing as a person. You can see how things that once meant a lot to you, now just don’t hold the same value. And yes, that’s okay.
More on the minimalist lifestyle:
3 Ways Minimalism Will Make You More Productive
6 Things to Declutter for a More Organized Life
Until the next time,
Ivana
Hey, before you go, here’s a gift for you: 70+ journal prompts to create a life you love. If you want to live a more intentional life, you’re going to love these journal prompts. Just enter your email address and you’ll get them in your email inbox right away. Thank you for being here and have a great day!
SAVE FOR LATER 🙂
beginner minimalist living with a non minimalist minimalism minimalism lifestyle
Such an awesome guide, had fun reading it. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I am now gradually transitioning to a minimalist lifestyle. I don’t buy things that I don’t need or that I know I won’t be using. I take a huge deal of time when I go for shopping; wear the clothes, and ask myself, is this me? Because previously I used to buy clothes that were pretty and even looked good on me, but I never wore them because they just were not my style. Stupid, I know. I buy things that make me happy, but I make sure that I use them. Minimalist living actually helps save a lot of money. So anyone trying to save money…this is for you. 🙂
That’s so great to hear 😀 I love your approach to buying new clothes! ”Is this me?” is such a great question. I agree that we often buy clothes and only later realize that it’s just not for us.
I am gradually on my way to embracing my minimalist lifestyle. In the past year or so, we have been trying to pare down our possessions whenever we think about it. For instance, when I can see what outfits to wear easily, I know that I need to clear out the closet by at least a third. We have moved on to the kitchen cabinets and to the pantry. I am hoping to help de-stress by clearing away all unnecessary clutter and possessions. Thanks for reminding me of our long-term mission.