Note: This is a guest post from Anthony Ongaro of Break the Twitch.
“One quick question: why are we all working so hard for stuff we don’t need, just so you can ‘tidy up’ and give it all way…?” —Carl Richards
It’s no secret that removing excess can create an incredible amount of freedom. With fewer things to organize, less financial stress, and more time to pursue things that matter, minimalism creates the opportunity to design a life aligned with your values.
Once you’re in the swing of things, it feels great to donate and declutter items from your home. At a certain point, you’ll reach a place of equilibrium where you’ll simply have to maintain the work you’ve done. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to continue building upon the progress you’ve made.
Here are seven ways to create new opportunities and take additional steps in your intentional living journey.
1. Start a blog. Starting a blog is one of the most important things I’ve done for my intentional living journey. A blog provides personal accountability, a record of learnings over the years, and a place online where people can connect with you. I’ve found it incredibly rewarding to connect with other bloggers and creators who are making things they’re passionate about. Many of these connections would have never happened had I not started putting my ideas out into the world online.
2. Take better care of your things. If you’ve pared down your belongings in a significant way, you should be left with the things that you love most. A little bit of extra care can preserve them for much longer than typical lifecycles. For example, using a dryer is one of the most damaging things you can do to your clothes. With fewer clothing items, hang-drying is quick, easy, and preserves the quality of the clothing. I’ve learned to enjoy doing laundry, and thanks to this method, I have many shirts that still look brand new despite being worn every week for the last two years. I use a folding rack that can be easily stored when not in use.
3. Travel somewhere new. Going to a new, unfamiliar place can be perspective-changing, and incredibly powerful. Try visiting a place that is outside of your comfort zone, perhaps somewhere less economically fortunate than where you live. There are very happy people all over the world living on a fraction of the income that an average first world resident earns. Traveling to such places will change the way you think about money, and the power of what it can accomplish when used effectively.
4. Donate money. When we commit to live with less, the money we require each month decreases. As debt gets paid off and spending lessens, you can choose to leverage your resources to change the world for the better. There are organizations doing amazing work, putting 100% of donated funds towards projects that make a direct and immediate difference in people’s lives. Not only do you get the freedom that comes with choosing to live with less, but it’s incredibly rewarding to know that you’re making a difference in people’s lives.
5. Volunteer time. It feels great to serve others, but connecting with other volunteers can be just as rewarding. It’s empowering and uplifting to be around people who help others actively take steps to do so. Spend some time connecting with people in the spirit of giving and you will find your own life filled with joy and gratitude. Find an organization with a mission that aligns with your values, then register to volunteer with them.
6. Do nothing. Just because you have more time and energy to do something, doesn’t always mean you should. It’s easy to fall back into the “busy” trap and let unproductive things fill the space created by decluttering. One of the best things you can do for yourself is leave some room to breathe, relax, or simply catch up. Put the smartphone away, sit, and gaze out the window for a while. It may feel unproductive, but rest assured: you’re sharpening the axe instead of chopping with a dull blade.
7. Establish a new daily habit. In order to enhance the positive changes you’ve created through decluttering, implement a few daily habits into your life. Start with just one thing and do it every day for a week; then add on another thing each week. These habits can be anything from a 10 minute walk to spending a few minutes learning new Spanish vocabulary words. Start small, build up as you go, and commit to at least 60 consecutive days.
Intentional living is a lifelong pursuit, and doesn’t stop once the decluttering is done. There are many ways to spend your time and energy that add substantial value, opportunity and joy for yourself and the people you love.
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Anthony Ongaro writes at Break the Twitch and helps others explore ways to live a more intentional life. You can also find him on Facebook and YouTube.
Sally says
Thanks Anthony, it’s a great post to remind us that decluttering should be viewed as the catalyst to a change in lifestyle and not the end result.
I looked at the previous comments and see that a lot of us have already done number 1 and started our own blogs – lovely.
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
I like to think that a rising tide raises all ships. More people talking about this, the bigger the movement! Thanks for your kind words. -Anthony
Audrey says
Awesome article! I didn’t know that using a dryer can lessen the life of clothes. I will have to hang dry more often.
Hailey says
This is a great post!! Thank you!!
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Thank you for your kind comment, Hailey. Take care -Anthony
Catherine @simplebeautifulandlovely says
“Intentional living is a lifelong pursuit, and doesn’t stop once the decluttering is done. There are many ways to spend your time and energy that add substantial value, opportunity and joy for yourself and the people you love.”- This really spoke to me. It is so true. I also love how once we are able to stop decluttering we are able to look outward. I am definitely finding this to be true.
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Love it – I’m glad that resonated with you, Catherine. It has been a very significant change for me as well.
Shawn Lim says
I love to travel to somewhere new. It really opens my perspective and experience new things.
And it is true that sometimes I feel overwhelmed and just need to do nothing and gaze out the window. Great tips Josh. :)
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Travel is one of the great horizon-wideners. New perspective, new life. Thanks Shawn!
Kristal says
I love this, so much I read on productivity is about doing more with the extra time, but I love the idea of taking the extra time to do nothing. We have lost the art of being bored with so much to do a click away! Thanks for the post
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Thank you, Kristal – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
rosie says
I’m 6 months into minimalism and am losing momentum so thank you for this!
http://www.rosieleizrowice.com
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
Keep it up, you got this! It’s a journey and you’ll find your balance point when it comes.
Paul says
Great post! Also +1 on the mental decluttering! After all what’s the point of the physical declutter (objects, and data), if the mind is still cluttered? I started to pare down possessions and head towards minimalism over a year ago now, I’ve still not reached a point where I can say “There! I’m minimalist!”, but the journey is fun. One issue is that my partner is a bit of a minimalist “muggle”, so I try to lead by example. Over the last year I have witnessed her actually perform tiny sparks of minimalism…so I think it’s working!
I’m also considering starting a blog, mostly in order to improve my writing skills, but also to garner some accountability so that the habits I form stay with me.
Kalie @ Pretend to Be Poor says
Wonderful post–there are far to many “do more” posts encouraging greater productivity. I definitely have my best insights when I give myself some mental rest, travel, volunteer or just help others in some way. It’s easy to become near-sighted when we’re just focused on “how much I can get done today.”
Judy says
Hi Anthony— thanks for your your guest post here! Living intentionally is great. I’ve learned so much from Joshua and his friends, like you :)
Love the laundry idea!
I have also found (especially with work clothes) you don’t have to wash them every-time you wear them. Yes, often they can be hung back up in the closet.
I’m also a big fan of thrift shops for clothing—
1. The savings is phenomenal.
2. I’m all about the reuse–reduce–recycle
3. It gives me the opportunity to drop off unwanted items as-well.
In a world of chaos— it’s wonderful to do our small part to make the world a better place and to help enrich the lives of those around us. Little things go a long way…and intentional living makes it happen! :)
Anthony @ Break the Twitch says
I think I’m going to be shifting to 100% thrift shopping for any ‘new’ clothing I get. There is a stylist that works at one of the places here where I live, and she will help you build effective outfits out of things they have there. Seems like a great way to do it. -Anthony