So how do you start practicing minimalism? Well, its actually pretty simple. Maybe not easy, but simple.
1. Desire change
2. Vision/Priorities
3. Declutter
4. Maintain
Desire Change. If you are satisfied with your current schedule, organization, home life and routines, then maybe minimalism isn’t for you. Its simple, but not necessarily easy. If however, you are desiring change in one or more of these areas- read on.
Vision. There must be something that has lead you to this article and past point one. What is it? Do you feel over committed and under equipped? Do you have an image of a quiet evening in your uncluttered and peaceful home? Maybe its a week that doesn’t have you dashing from one activity or project to the next? Or perhaps its a sense of calm that you’ve gotten a taste of and want permanently. You will need a clear vision of why. Minimalism is as much about what you have as it is about what you do not. Its not easy to simplify and if you live in America, our commercialism culture will be working against you. Have a distinct image or feeling you want to instill into your surroundings. A great way to start cultivating this vision is to write down your ideal priorities in order. Jot it down on some paper, not fancy, this is just for you. This ideal may not be your current reality, but helps you to understand your goal. Ideal priorities are things you want to pour your time, money, heart or effort into. They are usually the reasons that motivate you. Remember this is the Ideal exercise and we will address reality next. Spend time on this step, it matters
Declutter. This means physical and mental decluttering. Minimalism is also about removing all the things that do not add value to your life. These “things” can be people, events, commitments, habits and yes, physical stuff. Look at your Vision and Ideal Priorities page. Now, elsewhere, mentally or on another sheet, write out your reality. Those things that are taking most of your time, money, effort or heart. How different are your Ideal and Reality? Now is the time to start cutting things out. Start with whatever seems most satisfying or has been bothering you the most. Seeing meaningful results will energize you to keep going! This could be that junk drawer that’s driving you nuts or an extra activity that you have known for a while you need to cut. Most things in America can be substituted for, borrowed, or bought again fairly inexpensively. But probably… you won’t even need it. If you’re really worried, you can put it in a box for a month or so. Just set a time limit on how long your going to let that stuff hang around without paying rent. If, by the end of a month or 3 months, you haven’t used it? Send it off, and reclaim your space and time form its possession.
Maintain. In the USA, I don’t know of any holidays that celebrate the removal of things. There are plenty of holidays that focus on giving and receiving, but none that talk about removing old, evaluating our possessions or the like. Think for a moment how many days in a year directly cause the intake of things into your home. Offhand I can think of birthdays, for me and my family, St. Patrick’s day corned beef and green memorabilia, Valentines, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, not to mention Christmas and Black Friday…all of them bring memories of purchasing. There are even normal days where I get a free bag from work, or a trinket from vacation, or … you name it.
In the UK, there is Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a holiday a few days after Christmas, set aside to removing old things to make way for the new. That’s still just one day, pitted against a year of acquiring things. That is why we have to be intentional on stemming the flow of “stuff” into our homes. But don’t be discouraged. You can do it. Think how much more you know even with just a little effort reading an article! You are smart. You can recognize uninvited things coming into you home and stop them, or decide at any point to remove them. Remember the vision you’re pursuing. Maintain.