Decluttering | Simple Ways To Live With Less Stuff
I am not a big consumer and am particular about the things I allow to come into my home. The look of open space is preferable to me than seeing a lot of things I don’t need or necessarily want. I find this to be true, especially in small spaces.
When I do make a purchase the important aspects to me are – Do I need this, is this functional? Is it good quality, will it last a long time? I would rather pay more for a functional well-made object that has staying power, than cheaper poorly made products that will end up in the landfill.
Our homes are only so big, so it is logical to consider if we keep buying a bunch of stuff, without discarding stuff regularly, we are going to accumulate a ton of stuff and this is the beginning of a clutter problem. The accumulation of all these things over time can lead to stress and a feeling of overwhelm.
Embracing a minimalist lifestyle and living with less stuff can bring about a fresh start and foster a simpler, more peaceful life. Let’s explore some simple ways including helpful tips to declutter your home and your life.
1 The Minimalist Mindset
A lot of people think minimalism is a combination of a lot of ‘woo-woo’ and meditation. It is not. The minimalist mindset is simply to embrace a simple life. That is all. With this simplicity comes peace.
To embark on the journey of living with fewer possessions, it’s essential to adopt a minimalist mindset. Shift your focus from accumulating things to cherishing experiences and relationships. Embracing a simple life can lead to less stress and more peace of mind.
2 Regular Decluttering Sessions
To maintain a clutter-free home, schedule regular decluttering sessions. Set aside dedicated time to go through your items and identify what you truly need and cherish. This process not only keeps your space organized but also ensures that you are mindful of what you bring into your home.
3 Creating Space for What Matters
A minimalist home is not just about having fewer items; it’s about creating space for what truly matters. Consider each item in your home and ask yourself if it adds value to your life. Letting go of unnecessary items can create physical and mental space for more meaningful experiences.
4 Choose Quality Over Quantity
When acquiring new items, focus on quality rather than quantity. Curate a thoughtful list of essentials that bring joy and functionality to your life. This intentional approach to acquiring things ensures that each item serves a purpose and aligns with your minimalist lifestyle.
5 Family Involvement
Share the minimalist journey with your family members or house mates. Living with less stuff becomes more achievable when the entire family is involved.
Encourage open communication about the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle, and involve family members in the decluttering process. This shared experience fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the household.
6 Saving Money,
Contrary to common belief, adopting a minimalist lifestyle can save you a lot of money. By being mindful of your purchases and resisting the urge to accumulate unnecessary items, you’ll find that you spend less over time.
This financial freedom is an added bonus to the peace of mind that comes with living with less.
7 Less Clutter, More Time
Because I have fewer things to be a slave to I can maximize my productivity. Little things add up, like keeping only functional and beautiful things in my living environment that help me in my daily life. I also adopted a minimum wardrobe years ago. Today my manner of owning fewer clothes is called a capsule wardrobe.
A clutter-free environment allows for increased focus and productivity. With fewer distractions, you can make the most of your time and energy. By minimizing the number of items in your home, you free up mental space and create an environment conducive to a more efficient and productive life.
8 Mindful Consumerism
Making conscious choices is a great way, and the key, to living with fewer possessions. Before buying new things think about the purchase.
To maintain a minimalist lifestyle, it’s crucial to practice mindful consumerism. Before making a purchase, consider whether the item aligns with your values and serves a genuine purpose.
In more practical terms think the purchase through before you click the buy now button. How often will you use this item? Where will it live when not in use? Is this good quality and not a throwaway thing that will head to the landfill in a short time?
9 Simplifying Daily Routines
Having less stuff in my life equates to having less stress. I owned 2 vehicles at one point. This meant I had to do double and spend twice the amount of time maintaining both vehicles. This of course meant I was responsible for double the financial ramifications of owning multiple vehicles.
I did not appreciate the extra responsibility this added to an already filled life. After I weighed the pro’s and con’s of owning 2 vehicles vs one, I sold one. I never regretted the choice.
Streamlining your daily routines is another aspect of embracing a minimalist lifestyle. With fewer items to manage and organize, you’ll find that your daily tasks become more straightforward. This reduction in complexity leads to less stress and a smoother flow in your day-to-day life.
I am a big fan of easy! Some of my friends own boats. My water toy is an easy to transport, almost maintenance free kayak.
I do not enjoy the boating experience enough to own a boat. I have witnessed the amount of a time and money needed to take care of boats. This is what I mean about thinking about what your purchase will require.
10 Emotional Decluttering
The art of letting go is a great habit to practice. Decluttering isn’t just about physical possessions; it also involves emotional decluttering. Letting go of physical objects such as sentimental items that no longer serve a purpose can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of the process.
Creating a peaceful life begins in my mind. It is important to me to maintain my mental and physical health, because when my head is jammed up my day does not go smoothly. Joy, happy and free feelings are not as available to me when I am stressed out about a bunch of things.
11 Sustainable Decluttering
The 3R’s of sustainable living are Recycle, Reduce & Reuse.
Instead of contributing to landfills, consider sustainable decluttering methods. Donate items in good condition to charities, recycle materials, and repurpose items creatively. Sustainable decluttering ensures that your unwanted items find new life, benefitting both the environment and those in need.
12 Functional and Stylish Spaces
A minimalist home doesn’t mean sacrificing style and comfort. Design your living spaces with functional and stylish elements that enhance the overall aesthetic. Choose furniture and decor that align with your vision of simplicity, creating a harmonious and visually pleasing environment.
Check out my new free Shift Into Action course I made for all my cluttered friends!
Living intentionally according to your lifestyle is a concept some folks find challenging. Years ago I realized I was not using the kitchen dining table that was occupying a considerable area in my small kitchen. I got rid of the table and 4 chairs and immediately loved my decision!
I also choose not to take up the space of an entire room for a dining room, because I never invite people for dinner. Cooking is not my thing, and like I said I do not need a dining table.
13 Digital Decluttering
Streamline Your Digital Life too. Digital clutter stresses me out as much as having too many material items or a cluttered mind.
In our digitally connected world, it’s essential to extend the principles of minimalism to our online lives. Regularly declutter your digital devices by organizing files, deleting unnecessary apps, and unsubscribing from digital clutter. A streamlined digital life contributes to a clearer and more focused mind.
People are reporting to me they are wasting lots of money on recurring subscription fees for services they are no longer utilizing. They tell me they will go through all these services ‘some day win in their free time.’ I interpret this as a colossal waste of money.
14 Quality Over Quantity
Apply the principles of minimalism to your social life by focusing on quality over quantity. Invest time and energy in meaningful relationships with family and friends. A smaller, close-knit social circle designed with intentional social connections in mind, often brings more joy and fulfillment than a large network of acquaintances.
15 Celebrate Every Win!
As you embark on your minimalist journey, celebrate the progress you make along the way. Acknowledge the positive changes in your mindset, home, and overall well-being. Every step toward a simpler, more intentional life is a victory worth recognizing and celebrating.
Taking small steps to make changes is the best way to go. Get used to one change before you consider others. Wear the new change for a while and see how it feels. If the change is a comfortable fit for you make it a habit, then take another small step and introduce another component of minimalist living.
Joyful Life with Less Stuff
I need to highlight the fact that living with less is not about deprivation but about creating space for what truly matters in the pursuit of a life well-lived. My life is rich- I just choose to own fewer things. For me it is this freedom that allows me to do the things I want to do which brings me more peace of mind.
The beauty of less lies not just in the physical space it creates but in the time and mental clarity it affords, providing a foundation for a truly meaningful and intentional life.
Marj Bates is a life long ridiculously organized declutter-er and artist. Less is more are words Marj lives by in everything she does except collecting dogs. “Dogs are like potato chips! Can’t have just one.” says Marj. Marj wonders if growing up with a fanatically clean Jewish mom means her decluttering and organizational skills are in her blood.
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