Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that encourages us to move away from excesses, consumerism and materialism. Instead, it brings us closer to a simpler lifestyle, with fewer objects and leads us to have a freer mentality.
But where to start?
Just for those who are brand new, I want to take you step by step on the path of minimalism. Here are 6 easy steps that will help you change your life for the better!
So, let’s start with our very first step and perhaps the most difficult of all because here we will put our self-analysis skills into practice.
1) Get into the right mindset
Minimalism must not be forced or imposed; it is a decision that each individual makes when they are in the right moment to face this new way of life.
When you feel that everything around you start to become too much: the objects of the house, the people around you, the confusion, the traffic. I believe that this is the time to free ourselves of the superfluous and from what does not make us feel good in order to feel freer and lighter.
I will give you a personal example: if in 2013, when I had just arrived in London, dazzled by the “new”, by the lights and by the hectic life, someone had suggested me to go into minimalism, I would probably have looked at them very oddly thinking they were crazy. In 2013, but also in the following years, I wanted to live large, enjoying the excesses of life. I was economically independent and bought everything I liked without asking too many questions. I dined out 4 times a week if not more, big social life. So, getting into minimalism in 2013 would have been like putting myself in jail on my own. Then things changed over the years. I had had the experiences I wanted and it was 2019 when I entered this new lifestyle.
This is to tell you not to go into minimalism just because “it is fashionable”. Analyse yourself and understand if you are in the right mindset or not! Everything in its time. But only you know if it’s the right time for you or not! It is an inner process that begins deep inside.
2) Evaluate what you are going to gain or lose.
Here I reconnect to the previous point. I do not think that by taking the path of minimalism you lose something. If you are not in the right state of mind, you can feel bored after a few months or depressed to open a half-empty wardrobe, or enter a shop without being able to buy.
If so, then, you will lose serenity without grasping and savouring the depth and the joy of such a beautiful journey. On the contrary, by taking on this new lifestyle you are going to gain more space around you. Either in the closet, or in the kitchen or in any other room of your nice home. Or maybe minimalism will give you more time to devote to yourself and friends who are worth it, rather than spending time with the wrong people. So, evaluate what is right for you based on where you are in life right now! Personally, and I’m sure it also has happened to someone else, my path was not planed, but it was a survival instinct. I had to say enough and slow down, with everything!
3) Get rid of excess
Once you have decided to take this wonderful journey, let’s do some cleaning. When I decided to tell my experience, I started making a list of the various stages I went through to get to where I am now.
We start with material things not because they are more or less important than other things but because they are what you can touch with your hands.
Arranging material things, wardrobes, drawers, it is like ordering ourselves, our soul, our emotions, our ideas. Suddenly we feel freer, lighter, more motivated to do things and to tidy up those other little things in life that maybe we’ve been talking about tidying up for a while.
When we tidy the house, we create a sort of movement within us that leads us to change other things in our personal life. Like a domino effect!
Where do we start decluttering?
I recommend starting with the observation and analysis of your home or room.
Understanding what you want to change. Specifically, I recommend starting with the wardrobe which is perhaps the place in the house that represents us the most. Decide what you want to keep and what you can get rid of. But be honest with yourself! Then I suggest you move on to the underwear and stockings drawers.
Obviously, I advise you not to get carried away with the idea to do everything is one day because you risk to drive yourself crazy. A little at a time and enjoy every single moment.
So, after having decluttered the wardrobe, and the various drawers I suggest you move on to the bathroom. Creams, make-up, half-finished or half-open nail polishes. Finish the ones you have already opened and keep the others in different spaces. Then sort out your admin papers, and tidy up everything into folders, then carry on to the kitchen.
Personally, I left my shoe collection until last. As a shoe lover this was the most difficult part for me, but I had to be honest with myself.
4) Where to throw the things, I got rid of?
I don’t like throwing things out in garbage bags.
I involved friends and family and asked if they needed what I wanted to get rid of. I sold some unwanted things online, there are various Apps but also websites.
Other things that were not worth selling online, I put them outside the house, in front of the door. I am not sure this is something that is done in any other part of the planet, but here in London, when you don’t want something, you put it on display in front of your home and passers-by may take it for free.
You can display not only objects but also food. Last year the tree in the garden had made so many apples that I put them in front of the house in a basket. People passed and took them. Maybe it is a nice idea to start putting into practice in other parts of the planet too. Some things I have left with second-hand stores or charity shops.
5) How to behave after decluttering?
After cleaning and eliminating, we must remember why we took this path. The sense of freedom is very strong. Whenever we decide to buy something new, we have to ask ourselves if we bought it because we need it or on a whim.
When I go out with my friends, I still walk around Oxford Street among the various shops. Do I go into the shops? Yes, I go into the shops because maybe my friends need to buy something and I go in with them! Do I buy in stores if my friends buy? No, because I don’t feel the need for it. Do I feel inferior or do I feel like I’m missing out on something if them buy and I don’t? Absolutely not, because I know myself and I am happy and satisfied like this.
This is to say that if you decide to take this path you don’t have to suddenly give up everything for fear of falling into temptation again!
If your mind is strong and secure, you will feel free to walk everywhere, even among the best fashion stores, because your values will be stronger than temptations.
Let us remember that minimalism is not giving up but freedom, awareness and serenity.
6) Let’s not forget the needs of others
Last but not least, the others.
Just because we have changed our lifestyle doesn’t mean that the whole universe must change with us.
Let us remember that each of us is in a different phase of our life and must be absolutely respected.
If you live with other people, do not obsess them with the idea of having to change because you will create the opposite effect. If you are in the decluttering phase, focus on your things and not on those of the whole family.
For example, I live with my boyfriend and we have completely different habits. I shop at the Zero Waste shop and only buy what I need. For him, coming to the Zero Waste shop where he can’t find the chocolate bars he loves, is painful. I found a solution to this situation. We shop at the Zero Waste shop where I can buy the simple food that I will cook (I am the one in charge of the kitchen!). Then we pass by the supermarket where he buys his chocolate bars. This is our agreement, to keep both happy!
These are my tips for starting this beautiful, and sometimes challenging, new path! I wish everyone to find their own personal path and to savor every single step towards change.
Leave a Reply