In a world of excess, minimalism creates space for us to thrive. If you're desperate for more space, more time and more energy minimalism could be your answer. A minimalist approach to life chimes in simplicity giving us room to breath, relax and just be. It's time to feel better. And we've curated a few simple steps to make an easy transition to minimalism.
MINIMALIST LIVING
We've all seen minimalist apartments with nothing in them and quite honestly they always look cold and uninviting. What's more I can't help but wonder what state the owner's mental health is in. Our environment and the people in it are like mirrors, they reflect us, our personality, our values, and our interests.
It's not good for our well-being to live in a cluttered home but equally we do need some things around us that reflect who we are. Practical items are important, help us live efficiently and help us achieve what we need to achieve. Other items in our homes may have sentimental value and conjure up warm feelings and fond memories. And some things are inspiring and meaningful in other ways.
Minimalism isn't about getting rid of everything and living in a bare, lifeless room. So rather than thinking about a minimalist lifestyle in terms of objects, clothes, and material possessions, it's more beneficial to think about minimalism in terms of the way we're living.
MINIMALIST MINDSET
The minimalist movement shares many ideas with the slow living movement. These movements are about re-evaluating our lives and our values. They ask us to reflect on the important things in life and live a more intentional life. To remove the things in life that don't nourish us. And focus on the things in life that bring joy, meaning, gratitude, and awe. They ask us to change our mindset from more is better to value is better.
MINIMALIST JOURNEY
With all our excess, it's important to think about becoming a minimalist as more of a journey. It's not about throwing everything you own out and going off to buy minimalist products. It's a lifestyle. It's a way of living that involves continuous decision-making and thoughtful actions based on what you value.
Becoming minimalist is something that happens over time, it's a gradual re-evaluation and change in our mindset, choices and actions.
5 TIPS TO BEGIN A MINIMALIST LIFESTYLE
So, to help you on your journey of minimalism, we've created 5 minimalist steps to help you get off to a start that will be sustainable.
1. BE CLEAR ON YOUR REASON FOR BEGINNING MINIMALISM
If we want to make lasting change in our life we have to have a compelling reason. We can't change our habits and behaviors if our heart is not really in it. Spending time reflecting on a few reasons why you want to live a minimalist lifestyle will help you keep focused and stay motivated in the future. Asking yourself questions like:
- What is it about how I'm living right now that makes me want a minimalist life?
- How bad is that?
- What is it about minimalism that I'm attracted to?
- How would life be if I didn't become a minimalist?
- How would life be if I did become a minimalist?
2. YOUR MINIMALIST LIFE YOUR WAY
Minimalism means different things to different people. For you, minimalism might be more about having a minimalist budget and a healthier bank account. For others, it might be more about having fewer things so there's less clutter and more room in their physical space. Still, for someone else, it might be more about having less stress and creating more free time in everyday life.
Our minimalist journey will be inspired by our values. If you already did step one, you'll know what your values are and why you're adopting minimalism. So, now is the time to create your minimalist rules around your values.
I've put together a few ideas to get you started:
- Buy less stuff and buy things that are better quality and save money
- Start living simply
- Declutter the entire house
- Give away or sell unused things
- Curate a capsule wardrobe
- Stick to the shopping list when grocery shopping
- Minimize digital time, maximize family time
These rules are not rules for you. They are inspiration for you to make your own rules that are meaningful to you.
3. DECLUTTER YOUR LIFE
Decluttering is the cornerstone of minimalism. Decluttering your life can have a huge impact on your well-being, productivity, and creativity. But it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. Fear not, we've got you covered. Follow Koraru's decluttering tips to get you started.
4. ACTIONING MINIMALIST LIVING TIPS
Becoming a minimalist takes effort. We have to change the way we're living. But the way we live is habitual. So you're going to have to think outside the box. Lucky for you the internet is anything but minimal when it comes to minimalist ideas for your minimalist home and minimalist life.
Browse around and find ideas that will work in your daily life. Choose one or two tips that can be easily implemented and take action. Live with your new minimalist idea, get to know how it works with your life, and master it. Only then, move on to the next minimalist living tip.
5. START SMALL AND TAKE THE MINIMALISM JOURNEY STEP BY STEP
Sometimes, when we get an idea in our head, we're anything but minimal about it. Like going to the gym every day in January, but by March, the gym is a distant memory. Our enthusiasm tends to bore us or exhaust us. So start your minimalism slowly so that the changes you make are sustainable.
Create a plan that makes becoming a minimalist an easy step-by-step journey rather than a frantic rush to fewer possessions and empty space. It might leave you feeling disconnected and full of regret. Make little changes first. And then build up, do minimalism sensibly and sustainably.
You might just start with the basics of a few rules, like buying less, reducing digital time, or sticking to your shopping list. That's OK. Implementing rules can be a big life changer. You can start your minimalism without even throwing out one single object.
I hope these tips will help you create a more minimalist life without trashing everything you own and then rushing out six months later to buy more stuff. Becoming a minimalist should be a slow process that is carefully thought out, sustainable and improves your life and well-being well into the future.
Photo by Jocelyn Morales on Unsplash
Written by Kirsti Formoso - Wellness Writer for Koraru. Kirsti Formoso is a wellness writer and researcher. She is passionate about holistic health and wellbeing. She has over 30 years of experiential knowledge in personal and spiritual development, and a Masters of Science in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology. She is also a peer reviewer for two scientific journals specialising in Transpersonal Psychology. When she’s not writing she can be found working on her vegetable plot, hiking in the mountains and breathing in all the wonders nature has to offer.
Header Image by Bilal Mansuri on Unsplash
