Minimalist living

If you have ever fantasised about selling everything you own and paring down your possessions to the bare essentials, you are probably familiar with minimalism.

But it is about more than just de-cluttering — it is about getting rid of all clutter, permanently.

“A minimalist lifestyle entails being mindful about the things we own, the things we buy, and how we spend our time,” says Francine Jay, author of The Joy of Less. “It is a lifestyle that values experiences more than possessions.”

Here is how to get back to basics. It will take mental fortitude. Getting rid of your things requires commitment. You have to make a decision about every item you own, and that can be mentally taxing — and it won’t happen overnight.

How long you need to prepare

 Not long at all — you can start this process today by putting a box in every room. “When you come across something you haven’t used in a long time, or ever, throw it in,” says Rachel Jonat, who writes the blog TheMinimalistMom.com.

“If you are scared about wanting those items again, hold onto the box for six months and then donate everything.”

Mentally, you may have to do some preparation to get into the right mindset — because, let’s face it, a lot of us like our things. But things have a catch. That big house and everything in it take time to clean and organise, and it takes money to maintain it all.

“Look at an item and think about how many hours you had to work, or will have to work, to pay for it,” Jonat said.

Every piece you own is a chance to regain time and/or money if you sell it or give it away. Once you are ready to start purging, dive in.

Do it now

 Think about the places in your life where you feel anxiety or frustration. Pinpoint those areas and deal with them first.

Start small

You aren’t going to be able to declutter your life in a day, or even a week. And the process may seem really daunting.

Ditch the obvious things: Get some forward momentum by starting your giveaway pile with the items you clearly do not need — the mugs you never use, that ugly thing you received as a gift.

You can also make it easier to part with things by passing them along to someone else who can use them via local charities.

Do it later

 Once you have started selling your stuff, repurpose the money you’re saving.

When you don’t fritter money away on junk, you have more to put toward the essentials.

Reassess after a few weeks and see how you feel: You may find it difficult to let go of certain items in the first or second round of purging, but on the third round, it could end up on the giveaway pile.

Be smart about future purchases: Shop only when you need something, not for fun or entertainment.

Consider a big change

 Moving into a smaller space isn’t for everyone. But if you are a renter and your lease is coming up, or you are really struggling to manage your home payment each month, downsizing accomplishes a few things: It encourages less stuff, less time cleaning, and of course, smaller bills.

Do it smarter

Avoid comparisons. Your minimalism is yours alone — it is what works for you, in your life, at this time. If you want to keep every book you’ve ever read but cut your wardrobe down to 12 items that is what you should do.

Photo: sms111.org