Getting Started with Minimalism
4 Practical Steps to Declutter and Transform Your Life
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What’s the Deal with Minimalism?
The minimalist movement was born out of a desire to simplify and improve our lives by prioritizing what we care about and clearing the clutter that stands in the way. It’s not about living in a stark white box or being forced to part with things you care about. It’s about living an intentional, authentic life that reflects your deepest values.
Interested but don’t know where to start? I’m breaking down an easy, actionable, quick-start guide below. Let’s go…
Identify Your WHY
Before embarking on any change or lifestyle shift, it’s important to clarify your compelling why. Why do you want to try out a minimalist lifestyle? What do you hope to change in your life? What do you want less of? What are you craving more of?
Whether you want to reduce stress, save money, improve your health, or live more authentically or sustainably, it’s crucial to identify your reason(s) for wanting to streamline and simplify. Write them down, tell your besties, post them on your refrigerator.
Make It Easy to Lighten Your Load
Make sure you have a donation bin, bag, or box, at the ready, and then identify the following resources within your local community:
1. A convenient spot to drop off clothes, housewares, kid stuff, and furniture. Pro tip: you can always list these items online in your neighborhood, parenting, or community groups, or offer them to places that are already part of your weekly route like your local library, school, non-profit, community center, theater, church, or temple.
2. A recycling or reuse center that accepts hard-to-dispose of items like old textiles, e-waste, and batteries. Simply look up “recycling / reuse center near me” to find your most convenient drop-off option.
I know it seems like a pain to sort this stuff out, but it will feel so good to know that you’re offloading in a responsible and eco-friendly way on the regular.
Pick One Area to Focus On
It can feel daunting to try to shift your entire lifestyle all at once, so I suggest choosing one area you’d like to start with. A few suggestions:
Reduce the physical clutter in your workspace or home.
Minimize digital clutter by cleaning up your electronics and limiting screen time.
Declutter your calendar to make sure you’re only booking activities, events, and get-togethers that are aligned with your deeper goals and make you feel good.
Conduct an honest “relationship audit” so you can refocus your energy and attention on relationships that add value to your life.
Try a purchase pause can help you to clarify your values, appreciate what you already have, reduce your environmental footprint, and inspire you to be more creative and resourceful. More on this right here.
There is no “right way” to start a minimalist lifestyle - It’s just about choosing to be more intentional and purposeful with how you spend your time, energy, and resources one small step at a time.
Start Small. Like Really Small.
Minimalism is about intentionality, so there’s no reason to rush, or bite off more than you can chew.
Start by clearing a single surface you engage with every day like your nightstand or workspace. Delete the apps you don’t use on your phone. Unsubscribe from marketing emails that tempt you to buy things you don’t really want or need. Mute social media accounts that leave you feeling less-than or unworthy. Ditch the duplicates you own (like the five identical wine openers taking up valuable real estate in your utensil drawer).
Remember: small, consistent steps make for big, impactful change.Take it as slow as you want - baby steps still move you forward.
Photography Credit: Vivian Johnson for Minimalista; Designer, Clara Jung
