A Five-Step Guide to a Minimalist Lifestyle

 

As our lives become more complicated, we yearn for simplicity—order amidst the mess. A minimalist lifestyle promises precisely that.

Minimalism believes that less is more. By decluttering spaces and owning fewer possessions, you open up your spaces, reduce stress, and eliminate needless obligations.

The following five steps are the key to embrace minimalism and set the path for a healthier self.
 

1. Move Slowly But Consistently
 
Shifting from a maximalist space to a minimalistic one is a huge change. Not only does it affect how you live, but it also has massive consequences on how you think, behave, and prepare for the future.

That’s why trying to do so overnight and expecting immediate results is a recipe for disaster. You can grow frustrated, burn out, and drop your project before seeing it flourish.

Rather than attempting to do everything at once, consider pacing yourself in whichever way suits you best. For example, you can start your minimalism project by areas or one aspect of your life. Alternatively, you can take it easy by working just a few minutes daily.

Whatever approach suits you, just keep in mind you have to be consistent and not stop.
 

2. Identify The Bare Necessities
 
Minimalism is more than just owning fewer things—it’s a mindset that separates what’s necessary from the expendable.

However, don’t mistake necessity for usability. Identifying the bare necessities does not just mean what you use for daily life—it incorporates what you need, love, and whatever brings you complete fulfilment.

As such, things others may not consider necessary, such as a beloved plush toy or a sentimental decoration, can and should exist within a minimalistic space. The key here is to separate what contributes to something positive in your life from everything else.

This step is not something you do and move on from. It’s an ongoing process that should permeate the journey towards minimalism and become part of your new mindset.
 

3. Declutter Your Physical Space
 
After planning, the first actionable step towards minimalism should always be focusing on your physical space. An organised area will motivate you and give you the peace of mind and satisfaction to start a new chapter in your journey.

Decluttering must be done with a sense of resolution. Remember the previous step and keep only the bare necessities for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Likewise, consider mindful consumption and purchase only what you deem necessary.

Your wardrobe, book collection, or toiletries are some of the best starting points for your decluttering journey. Likewise, ensuring plenty of storage space can help prevent clutter in the future.
 

4. Declutter Your Mental Space
 
An often neglected aspect of minimalism is its mental and spiritual importance.

Just as you would declutter your bedroom or bathroom, decluttering your mind is a freeing approach to minimalism. Reevaluate what you deem essential, your priorities, and what is worth keeping around.

For example, consider your relationships and evaluate which ones enrich you and which might add clutter to your head. By doing so, you can redirect your time and energy to the people that you care about.

Another way to achieve mental minimalism is “brain dumping”. Simply put, it is writing down whatever weighs on your mind without thinking about it. This can help you organise your thoughts, give them some sense, and even free you of some anxiety and stress.
 

5. Incorporate Minimalism In Your Day-To-Day Life
 
Once you’ve successfully shifted your home and your mind towards minimalism, the final frontier is committing to it and ensuring the change lasts and permeates every aspect of your life for the better.

This does not mean you must force yourself to be minimalistic in everything, to the point of discomfort—it just symbolises a desire to commit to what truly matters the most.

For example, avoid needless shopping sprees or use the Eisenhower Principle to sort out your daily tasks without adding unnecessary stress.

Following these five steps can grant you an uncomplicated journey towards minimalism. It doesn’t have to be immediate, perfect, or comprehensive—it just has to be perfect for you.