Note: This is a guest post from Melissa of Melissa Camara Wilkins.
The average home in the U.S. contains about three hundred thousand items. What on earth? What are we even doing with all that stuff?
If your house feels overstuffed, your days are crazy-busy, and you can’t find your desk under all that clutter: we understand. We’ve all been there, and making changes can be overwhelming.
What should you work on first? How do you decide what stays and what goes? Three hundred thousand times?
Minimalism Checklist
If you love the idea of living with less but aren’t sure where to start, try these ten steps toward designing a simple life. (And if you’re already a master minimizer, pass this on to a friend who wants to get started simplifying, too.)
1. What’s your “why”?
Ask yourself why you want to simplify. Are you trying to relieve the pressure of an overfull life? Do you want the calm that comes with a decluttered space? Are you making space for big dreams?
When you need extra motivation, remember that “why,” see how far you’ve come, and focus on where you’re headed.
2. Start with easy.
Even if you want to make big changes, start small. Clear out one junk drawer. Say no to one coffee date. Take one minute for quiet, relaxed breathing.
Build up some small wins before moving on to bigger challenges.
3. Separate wants and needs.
You probably need less than you think. We all do. As you’re deciding what to keep in your life, ask, “Could I live without this?” If so, you know it’s more of a want than a need.
Needs have to stay. You get to choose about the wants.
4. Look for the joy.
A good rule of thumb is to keep things you know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. In the words of William Morris, “If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.“
To find the beauty, Marie Kondo teaches us to ask if what we own sparks joy. If not: let it go. Maybe someone else will be overjoyed to pick it up.
5. Clear your schedule.
Designing a simple life doesn’t stop with your stuff. A simpler schedule can bring all kinds of peace to your days.
Are there activities you need to let go of? Meetings you don’t need to attend? Dates to cancel? You know what to do.
6. Unplug everything.
You don’t have to unplug forever, but scheduling regular screen-free time can restore your perspective and bring more joy into your simple life.
Use that time to get out in nature, connect more deeply with the people around you, and quiet the noise in your head.
7. Schedule rest.
As your physical space is becoming simpler, explore ways to build a rhythm of work and rest into your life, too. It’s hard to pursue “simple living” when your reality is more “exhausted living.”
8. Make it your own.
Simplicity is not a competition. Simplify in ways that make sense for you, and don’t worry about how you compare to anyone else. In fact, minimizing the comparisons will clear mental clutter like crazy.
9. Remember your relationships.
Don’t let your commitment to simple living get in the way of your most important relationships. Others may not be ready to make the same choices you make. You do what’s right for you, and enjoy the amazing people in your life without trying to change them.
10. Enjoy more, and less.
More time, more freedom, and more room to breathe. Less stuff and less stress. Less to organize, store, and take care of. Less hassle. Less hustle.
Take a moment to practice gratitude for what you’ve learned from the things you’ve let go of, and for the new chapter you’re moving into.
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Melissa Camara Wilkins writes a beautiful blog about giving yourself permission to be who you were made to be and is the author of Permission Granted.
Linda Evans says
All you really NEED is to keep breathing, eating, drinking, excreting, and keep warm enough. . It makes your life better if you have family and friends, are healthy, have contact with nature, but even this isn’t necessary. No-one really wants to be a minimalist to that extent. Sp stop using “needs” as criterion; it’s dishonest. You want things to live the sort of life you want, within limits, and only you can decide what these are.
Dan says
Love your post and suggestion . Thank you
Karen says
3 years ago I started the minimalist journey prodding myself and husband…it had been hard, the stuff I couldn’t get rid of, momentos lots of family pics on my wall…I would feel so overwhelmed by it all..I kept going though…3 months ago we decided to move, all walls and deco needed to par down for the house to be shown, as we did it we kept minimizing and packing the rest. Omg it was so good to look at hardly anything on my walls, then 3 weeks after our house was on the market we decided to not move…omg we gotta unpack all that stuff!!!, I bet we cut it in half cause we didn’t want to put it way, lol.. we left a couple really nice family photos up, I took all the rest out of their frames and came up with an idea to put them all in one album and set it on the coffee table where kids and grandkids could come in and sit down and look at them for a few minutes…my hall of fame as we called it was loved by all, but I couldn’t handle the overwhelming feeling of it all anymore…I got rid of my mom’s China, a lot of crystal and momentos, what I now have I love….we had sold a golf cart and 2nd car in our process, I tell you what a relief…we painted our garage and it looks awesome without all the excess stuff…we feel lighter less weighed down much more peaceful….you can do it everyone, moving then staying was the best thing that ever happened to us, I was able to use all the principals I had been reading and working at the last 3 years…it really works just do it…
Eve says
It feels so freeing and calming Karen. I’ve been a minimalist for several years. My daughter often comments when coming into my place, saying it feels like a therapists consultation room. Very calming, peaceful and relaxing. Plus the bonus of much less housework. Glad you found your Peace.
Eve.
Ty Crowder says
I recommend getting a digital photo frame. it has changed our house so much. we have less photos on the wall and the frames cycle through thousands of photos. Highly recommend! My wife and I now only have a box of photos that we want to keep but also don’t want to display. Frequently my wife or I would say, “O I forgot about that!” when a picture comes up that we haven’t seen in awhile. It just makes the memories come back and brings so much joy!
Amanda says
I am new to minimalism and have started small by decluttering sections at a time. I am finding it hard with three children and a husband that don’t want to get rid of their stuff. My house is always messy and I struggle with study and working to keep on top of the house work also. This really affects me mentally andy anxiety gets really bad.
Another problem I have is that my mum past away a few years to cancer and I have accumulated a lot of her things, which are taking up room in my garage. A lot I know I don’t need but I can’t bring myself to get rid of any as I feel like I’m losing a bit of her and the life she lived. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Judy says
Hi Amanda—-
Hang in there! Maybe just try to get rid of one or two things a day—- and before you know it you will start to see an impact. Also if you buy something—- then something else has to go. Your main task is to be a great mom and make memories ❤️As far as your mom’s items are concerned—- keep the jewelry etc—- other stuff gets donated. Hope that helps.
Cris says
What has helped me clear out some sentimental items I never used, but found hard to let go, is to take pictures of them. In that way, I still ‘have’ them, but they don’t take up any space.
Another thing that helped me is to clear out one thing a day. Just one. It felt like such a minimal task, so easy to do. And over time it does add up.
Good luck!
Kristen says
First of all, my condolences on the loss of your mom. That is so hard and the grieving takes time. If you are ready to part with the things, remember your mom was so much more than the stuff she accumulated. If everything is kept then it is a challenge to find the special in what you have.
Perhaps instead of choosing what of her things to get rid of, go through it a box or bag at a time and choose what to keep. What gives you a happy feeling or memory? You’ll likely cull it down and then over time you’ll be able to hone it down even more as your grief evolves.
I remember my mom going through this when she lost her mom quite young and suddenly. At first she didn’t want to get rid of anything her mom had touched because it all felt so special. But over time she was able to part with those things that she recognized didn’t have a memory. Remember, these items from your mom likely weren’t a curated collection she had created. They were what remained when she was gone. Getting rid of them does not in any way diminish your love for her or her impact on your life.
As for the family, all minimalist writers will tell you to minimize your stuff only and let others see the benefit. I would suggest though that your kids could be told what the expectation of tidiness is in the house, and that if you are constantly having to remind them to clean up, you could discuss the idea that they have too much inventory to manage. If they are young, help them decide what to part with. If they are older ask them to do it on their own with help if they want, and be clear that if they are not able to manage the inventory (ie keep it tidy without constant reminders or help) then more will have to go, and you have the right to decide that if they won’t. That is how we’ve dealt with it in our house.
Ina says
Every single tip was fantastic! We need constant reminders to help us see clearly. Everyone’s contribution is really valuable to me.
Thank you.
Linda Sand says
“minimizing the comparisons will clear mental clutter like crazy.” Love this one!!! I keep telling people, “You be you. You can’t be anyone else.”
Leisa says
I can believe that I have three hundred thousand items. I’m going to declutter realizing this is an ongoing journey. Simplicity helps me breathe!
Woodwinds says
I’m registered for your course which I’m finding interesting. It deals with physical stuff. However I find we are also burdened by ‘administrivia’ either in paper or electronic form. We are often hoarding this because 1. We don’t know what we have to keep or 2. It’s so difficult to find in the electronic world. You might consider articles on both topics.
Separately we often accumulate relationships with people or organizations. Sometimes these too could be reviewed using similar logic.
A says
This truly spoke to me: Don’t let your commitment to simple living get in the way of your most important relationships. Others may not be ready to make the same choices you make. You do what’s right for you, and enjoy the amazing people in your life without trying to change them.
I live with 3 collectors/hoarders which ever you prefer. Lol. I struggle immensely with this as I am a minimalist. I see clutter, excess, etc everywhere I turn in my house because of their habits. I can’t allow their behavior to minimize my love for them. I can’t force them into minimalist behavior just because that’s how I want to live. I have to embrace the places, spaces, and actions where I can embrace minimalism.