I had large file cabinets with 25 plus years of documents, receipts, records. Now that I was living the single life, I needed to downsize tremendously and the movers who carried my things always damaged or broke something.
The anxiety that I got when it happened in addition the worry I felt leaving my home for long periods of time to go on vacations as well as having to clean and organize all that stuff had become overwhelming.
The lightness of traveling with only a backpack visiting and staying in seven different cities was life changing. It made me realize that what I wanted was more enriching experiences. On top of that I was reading Tao and Zen Buddhism books that have chapters on non attachment to things, and to focus on happiness and mindfulness.
On returning to work after traveling from that trip I was sharing with a co-worker of my revelations and he told me that the way he became one is to start on the 1st of the Month. Day one get rid of 1 thing, Day two get rid of 2 things, Day 3 get rid of 3 things, Day 4 get rid of 4 things, Day 5... you get the gist now.
I went home and organized everything into what I would sell online, what I was giving to the thrift stores, to friends, family. I had a ton of Jewelry that Jewelers over the years that I've met gave me because they wanted me to model their pieces.
So those went first, then selling my things online was a success, I had always taken very good care of my things and I've always been attracted to high quality so it was easier than I thought it would be. I was on a roll..
By mid month, it was so much fun to feel the weight being lifted off me that I had carried for so long. I had 100's of Books I had read and collected that I donated to a local Women's abuse shelter mostly they were self-help and business books so I knew they would be very helpful.
When I was going through the kitchen I had 2 sets of cannisters, 5 different sets of silverware and utensils and pots, pans, dishes. It was eye-opening to where most of my money had gone over the years. I do like to cook though.
I downsized to the point where I only kept one box for each room of my apartment. If it couldn't fit into one of those rubber maid storage boxes, I got rid of it. My clothes were a bit more of a challenge, I downsized to about 5 large containers, I did the best I could with that one.
Getting rid of all my things gave me such a grand feeling of freedom, less stress, increased my productivity, my home is airy, stays cleaner opened up opportunities that came my way. I went through a period back in 2019 that I took minimalism a little further and moved into a very small studio apartment. That wasn't such a good idea. It was very confining for me even though I had downsized substantially, I still had too much stuff for that and it was crowded.
6 months later moving into a large one bedroom apartment gave me the comfortability I needed for my psyche but I realized that I needed a new style to reflect my new lifestyle transformation. So I purchased a lot of new Décor but mindful of how I would utilize my space with my new practice of minimalism but not like level one.
I'm more like a level 2 minimalist, realizing that bare minimum was not my comfort level that I plan on getting used to. For me it's about efficiency, being organized, keeping things clean and tidy in less time with less stuff and feng shui of my space.
Becoming a Minimalist after becoming an empty nester taught me that I didn't want to be that drastic but I appreciated the lessons I learned in it.
Becoming a minimalist confirmed for me that happiness isn't found in material possessions. It's found in experiences and moments shared with friends and family. It's also taught me that it's important to take the time to evaluate and appreciate the things we have - both material and non-material. I've found that by simplifying my life, I have more mental capacity, time and energy to focus on the things that really matter.
The disadvantages of being a Minimalist
Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that can have great benefits for both your personal and financial wellbeing. Society may make you feel ashamed for not having the same possessions as your peers, but it is important to remember that everyone has different goals and needs.
Sometimes I do look at others lifestyle on social media and feel some type of way but then I recognize that minimalism can help you save money, reduce stress, and simplify your life. Embrace and celebrate your unique lifestyle instead of allowing society to make you feel ashamed of it.
The benefits of minimalism are
Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that can have a variety of benefits, both physical and mental.
- Practicing minimalism can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels by decluttering your space and simplifying your life.
- It can also save you time and money by forcing you to prioritize and focus on the things that truly matter.
- Minimalism can help you to appreciate the things you do have, rather than focusing on possessions and material items.
- Minimalism can help to inspire creativity and productivity, by removing distractions and allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
Feel Lighter and Free with these Decluttering Tips
- Start small. Start by decluttering one room at a time. Day 1 get rid of 1 thing. Day 2 get rid of 2 things, Day 3 get rid of 3, Day 4 you understand the process now? It truly worked for me. Ask yourself: if it’s something you truly need or want. Do you use it regularly? Does it bring you joy? If the answer is no, it’s likely something you can live without.
- Sort items into categories. As you declutter, it's helpful to sort items into categories such as donate, keep, toss, recycle, and sell. This will help you make the most of your items and help you determine what you need to keep and what can go. Take action fast. Don't let the donate and toss sit around for more than a day or two.
- Make a plan. Make a plan for how you are going to declutter and organize your space. There's also great videos you can google to help you. Watching a documentary on minimalism gave me the motivation to do it. Decide what areas you want to focus on and how you want to organize them. Then make a plan of action and start tackling the task.
- Reduce clutter. Minimalists strive to reduce their clutter, so focus on getting rid of items that you don't need or use. Donating any items you no longer need to your local charity feels amazing. The secret to living is giving.
- Make use of storage solutions. keep your space neat, organized and clutter-free by investing in bins, shelves, baskets to help keep your space neat and tidy.
- Declutter digitally. Don't forget about decluttering your digital spaces as well. Delete old emails, clear out your inboxes, and unsubscribe from any emails that you no longer need or find useful.
- Embrace simplicity. Once your space is decluttered and organized, embrace the simplicity of it. Enjoy the sense of peace and freedom that comes with having a minimalistic space.
Living Light
Minimalist habits can include
- Decluttering and organizing your home, workspace and vehicle
- Focusing on buying only essential items you need
- Reducing consumption of non-essential goods
- Avoid impulse purchases (wait a week and see if you still want it)
- Learning to be content with what you already have, really enjoy and appreciate those things.
- Turning off notifications and limiting time spent on digital devices, setting aside time each day for uninterrupted focus, setting boundaries with your time, and being mindful and intentional with all of your decisions.
Good Luck!
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