Remember quality over quantity. At the crux of minimalism is this golden rule: it’s not about how much you have, but rather, having pieces that speak to you and that you truly need. Spend money on experiences, not possessions. There’s nothing more priceless than making new memories with friends and family.ġ0. Try a capsule closet. Take a page out of blogger Courtney Carver’s book and keep your closet curated with a small number of essential items of clothing that won’t ever go out of fashion.ĩ. Adopt a “buy one, give two” rule. Just bought something new for your wardrobe? Great! Keep clutter at bay by giving away two older items to offset the addition.Ĩ. If it still speaks to you after a month, you’ll know it’s a worthy investment.ħ. Wait 30 days before buying something new. Quell impulse buying by giving yourself a 30 day consideration period to decide if you really love something. Count as you go. Mentally unwind by keeping count of how much you’re giving or throwing away as you declutter - you’ll be surprised by how much you had but didn’t use.Ħ. For files you do need to keep long-term, organize your filing cabinet so that they’re easy to find.ĥ.

Reduce paper clutter. Electronic bills are a fantastic alternative to traditional mail. Stick to a system. Whether cleaning out your closet or braving the mountain of boxes in the basement, divide what you intend to keep, donate and throw away into separate piles to help you stay focused while you clean.Ĥ. Take back that coveted storage space by banishing its contents to the bin.ģ. Purge your junk drawer. We all have a drawer overflowing with items that might come in handy someday, but more than likely never do. Choose a room to declutter first. Avoid overwhelming yourself by trying to declutter your home all at once tackle clutter one room at a time to see results faster and stay motivated.Ģ. The Golden Rules for Embracing a Minimalist Lifestyleġ. And it’s true: when we start with the essentials, the rest becomes gravy.

Rather than overwhelm ourselves obsessing about achieving the magazine-worthy home of our dreams, the focus has shifted to buying only the items we need. The push to bring that minimalist mindset into our homes has never been more prominent. We want to be less stressed, more satisfied and have more freedom. It’s a conscious movement toward a simpler lifestyle, and it’s growing.

We are bombarded by the media presenting promises of happiness through materialistic measures. It’s no wonder we struggle everyday. Resist those urges. It’s an empty path, it won’t make you happy.Why Younger Generations are Challenging Themselves to Live Better with Lessįrom commercials that convince us that we need their latest product to online retailers that make fueling the fire of consumerism as easy as a click of a mouse, it can be hard to decipher our wants versus our needs.īut as our world becomes more complex, the need for simplicity grows stronger. Movements are the product of what has come before it, and minimalism is no exception. Financial turmoils, environmental concerns and high levels of personal debt have younger generations rejecting the notion that more material possessions equals greater happiness, and are instead seeking out select pieces that will truly add value to their lives. After the initial comfort is satisfied, that’s where our obsession with money should end. Less Focus on Material PossessionsĪll the stuff we surround ourselves with is merely a distraction, we are filling a void. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy comfort. You could be enjoying a day with your kids, hitting up the gym, practicing yoga, reading a good book or traveling. Whatever it is that you love you could be doing, but instead you are stuck at Sears shopping for more stuff. When you spend less time at Home Depot trying unsuccessfully to keep up with the Joneses, you create an opening to do the things you love, things that you never seem to have time for.Įveryone is always saying they don’t have enough time, but how many people really stop and look at what they are spending their time doing?

Minimalist lifestyle