{"id":26077,"date":"2022-02-07T00:11:46","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T07:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.becomingminimalist.com\/?p=26077"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:01:47","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T15:01:47","slug":"minimalism-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.becomingminimalist.com\/minimalism-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"The Minimalism Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Note: This is a guest post from Melissa of Melissa Camara Wilkins<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The average home in the U.S. contains about three hundred thousand items<\/a>. What on earth? What are we even doing with all that stuff?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your house feels overstuffed, your days are crazy-busy, and you can\u2019t find your desk under all that clutter: we understand. We\u2019ve all been there, and making changes can be overwhelming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should you work on first? How do you decide what stays and what goes? Three hundred thousand<\/em> times?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minimalism Checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you love the idea of living with less but aren\u2019t sure where to start, try these ten steps toward designing a simple life. (And if you\u2019re already a master minimizer, pass this on to a friend who wants to get started simplifying, too.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What\u2019s your \u201cwhy\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask yourself why you want to simplify<\/a>. Are you trying to relieve the pressure of an overfull life? Do you want the calm that comes with a decluttered space<\/a>? Are you making space for big dreams? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you need extra motivation, remember that \u201cwhy,\u201d see how far you\u2019ve come, and focus on where you\u2019re headed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Start with easy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you want to make big changes, start small<\/a>. Clear out one junk drawer. Say no to one coffee date. Take one minute for quiet, relaxed breathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Build up some small wins before moving on to bigger challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Separate wants and needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You probably need less than you think. We all do. As you\u2019re deciding what to keep in your life, ask, \u201cCould I live without this?\u201d If so, you know it\u2019s more of a want than a need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needs have to stay. You get to choose about the wants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Look for the joy.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find the beauty, Marie Kondo teaches us<\/a> to ask if what we own sparks joy. If not: let it go. Maybe someone else will be overjoyed to pick it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Clear your schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designing a simple life doesn\u2019t stop with your stuff. A simpler schedule<\/a> can bring all kinds of peace to your days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there activities you need to let go of? Meetings you don\u2019t need to attend? Dates to cancel? You know what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Unplug everything.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to unplug forever, but scheduling regular screen-free time can restore your perspective<\/a> and bring more joy into your simple life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use that time to get out in nature, connect more deeply with the people around you, and quiet the noise in your head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Schedule rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your physical space is becoming simpler, explore ways to build a rhythm of work and rest into your life, too. It\u2019s hard to pursue \u201csimple living\u201d when your reality is more \u201cexhausted living.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Make it your own.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simplicity is not a competition. Simplify in ways that make sense for you, and don\u2019t worry about how you compare to anyone else. In fact, minimizing the comparisons will clear mental clutter<\/a> like crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Remember your relationships.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t 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\u2019s right for you, and enjoy the amazing people in your life<\/a> without trying to change them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Enjoy more, and less.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a moment to practice gratitude for what you\u2019ve learned from the things you\u2019ve let go of, and for the new chapter you\u2019re moving into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melissa Camara Wilkins writes a beautiful blog<\/a> about giving yourself permission to be who you were made to be and is the author of Permission Granted<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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