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Becoming a Minimalist: Start with These Quick and Easy Tips
The hardest thing about getting started is getting started. ~ Guy Kawasaki
Contents
Tip #1 Get clear on why you want to become a minimalist
Tip #2 Create a plan for implementing a minimalist lifestyle
Tip #3 Don't rush into minimalism at all once
You've decided you want to be a minimalist, but you don't know how to get started.
Here are some practical minimalism tips to help you start living a more meaningful life through minimalism.
Tip #1 Get clear on why you want to become a minimalist.
First, understand your reason for choosing a minimalist life.
You are more likely to change your behavior and reach your goal when you know why you are making that change.
Why are you interested in minimalism?
Is it because you want to simplify your life? Maybe you look around your home or office and see no room for anything. Objects are stacked up everywhere, and the drawers are overflowing. And you think about how good it would feel to pare down your possessions, organize, and not be distracted by clutter.
Maybe you sat down to pay the bills and realized that you didn't have enough money—again. A week ago, you spent money buying things because they were on sale, but you didn't really need them. And you paid for these things with a credit card because you couldn't afford them. It gave you a rush to buy these things, but now the thrill is over, and the reality of being short on money hits home.
Or do you feel you never have enough time to accomplish what you need to? You always feel like you're being run ragged. You can't focus because of the mental noise in your head. If only you were more organized so you could clear your thoughts and have a calmer mind.
All of these situations can be remedied by adopting a minimalist lifestyle.
Tip #2 Create a plan for implementing a minimalist lifestyle.
Next, be organized and have a plan for implementing a minimalist lifestyle.
Organization is the key to success in anything you do. And an excellent way to organize is to start with a plan—a roadmap, list, or flowchart that outlines how you will reach your goal.
Start with a more general plan and fill in the details as you go along.
Be sure to list everything you need from beginning to end to complete the task and reach your goal. You don't want to have a plan that will only take you halfway through the undertaking. You won't reach your goal that way.
For example, suppose you have a job where you work out of your home, and you are having difficulty focusing and being productive because your home office is on the couch in front of the television in the living room. In that case, your solution might be to create a workspace in the basement.
Preparing your basement to become your new office won't happen overnight, especially if your basement is used to store boxes of "stuff" that you haven't used in ages.
So, the first step of your plan might include turning off the television while working in the living room. The next step might involve determining what needs to be cleared from the basement so that you can make room for your office.
Once you start paring down and selling or donating things you don't need in your basement, you might find that your basement has far more potential than you realized. For example, you could create not only a home office but also a workout area and a book nook.
It's incredible where taking steps to simplify your life can lead.
Tip #3 Don't rush into minimalism at all once.
Finally, take your time implementing minimalism in your life.
It's easy to get excited and want to start living a minimalist life all at once. But, instead, take your time.
You don't want to drag half of your possessions to the trash heap and then realize the next day that you need most of the things you threw away. No one wants to suffer from minimalism remorse.
It's not necessary to take any extreme measures. There is plenty of time to gradually transition to a life of balance with practical minimalism.
Instead, be thoughtful and reflective when deciding to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. Then, make changes gradually and create a plan before acting.
For example, start with a small project first. Complete that task and then move on to the next project, and so on.
When working on a project, give your undivided focus and attention to the task. Be committed to making multi-tasking something that you no longer do.
And besides, when you try to do multiple things at once, you are likely to do none of them well. You are also bound to make mistakes and have to re-do the task. Ultimately, you end up spending more time on a job than you would have had you given it the careful attention it deserved.
Closing Thoughts
In short, when you decide to live a minimalist life, know why you are doing so, have a plan, and take your time.
By following these simple minimalist lifestyle tips, you will be well-prepared to start your journey to a more meaningful life of practical minimalism.