Minimalism is a movement that has been trending in recent years, with many people adopting a more simplified lifestyle. For some, minimalism might mean giving away or selling off possessions they don’t use on a regular basis. But what does minimalist living look like in the real world? And what should someone who follows this lifestyle keep in their home?
What Does Minimalism Mean To You?
Minimalism is described as the practice of living in a way that focuses on the essential and eliminates the unnecessary. Minimalists may choose to live in a small space, use primarily natural materials, or refuse to own anything that does not have a specific purpose.
For many people, minimalism is about simplifying their lives and reducing their reliance on material possessions. It can be an effective way to reduce stress and improve your mental health.
The basis of minimalism is to prevent too many items and clutter. This way of life may be adopted by people who feel that they have too much “stuff”, and just need to get rid of some of their things to improve their living conditions.
Too many things can cause many negative effects not just limited to aesthetics. Clutter can lead to smelly mold, which would have to be dealt with by mold odor removal professionals. Furthermore, it could also lead to physical hazards, like difficulty in moving around easily. On top of all this, clutter can also make it very difficult to find things when you need them. For all these reasons, people might choose to switch to a more minimalist lifestyle.
Some minimalist principles include:
- Living in a minimalistic space; choosing only what you need and using few items as possible
- Restricting your possessions to those that have a specific purpose such as furniture for sleeping, cooking, and storage
- Relying on natural materials such as wood, clay, or fabric
- Avoiding flashy or expensive items
How to Be a Minimalist
Minimalism is all about maintaining the least number of possessions and maintaining them in a clear and organized manner. It’s not about removing everything from your home, but creating a well-organized and functional space. To kick off the minimalist lifestyle, you will need to declutter from time to time and hire dumpster rentals to dispose off the junk sustainably. But before you go on to clear out your home, you should keep these things in mind:
- Have one focal point in your home. Your main piece of furniture should be the item or items that you use the most. If you have multiple pieces of furniture that serve different purposes, make sure to group them by purpose instead of by style.
- Keep your surfaces clear. Try not to have more than three items on any one surface. This will help you to easily see what’s available to move and what needs to stay put.
- Minimize your possessions. Get rid of the items you don’t need by selling them off or giving them away, and move the others to a unit for Self storage in Ipswich at Easy store, or one located more conveniently. This can help you clear out space and make way for vertical storage.
- Store everything vertically. This will help you to space out your belongings and make them easier to access when needed. This also helps with minimizing storage space overall.
- Create efficient systems. Create channels where necessary so that all of your belongings flow together harmoniously (like an A-B-C system). This will help minimize the amount of time it takes to find what you’re looking for, and it’ll look nicer too!
Things to Keep Out of Your Home
A minimalist home doesn’t need a lot of items. It only keeps what’s necessary and purposeful; only the things that are used each day. Here are the things considered extra in a minimalist home:
1. Excessive Clothes
Unless you are living in a nunnery or at the bottom of the ocean, your home will contain clothes. If you have more than you can wear and don’t want to donate or give away what you don’t need, keep only items that you regularly wear. This means no oversized clothing, no winter clothing that doesn’t fit in the summer, no cute but useless outfits, and nothing too tight or revealing. You will quickly learn what fits and looks good on you and what doesn’t. In addition, try to keep a mix of different types of clothes so you can mix and match as needed.
2. Expensive Items
If something is worth spending money on, it should probably stay out of your home, especially if it’s not necessary. This includes anything that is not necessary for everyday life such as extravagant furniture, artwork, or cars. If something is really worth having and isn’t necessary for everyday life, find a way to afford it without keeping it in your home. For example, buy an item secondhand instead of buying a new one or invest in something that will last long-term rather than something that will go out of style quickly.
3. Toys
Toys are a big no-no for minimalists because they take up unnecessary space and can be distracting when not used. If your child needs toys for activities such as playing with friends or learning new things outside the house, find ways to keep them organized and within reach without filling up your home with toys. For example, buy a set of toys that can be shared or put away in a toy box instead of having each toy scattered around the house.
4. Junk
If you don’t know what to do with it, don’t keep it. This includes anything that is not necessary for everyday life such as old clothes, broken appliances, and empty food containers. Keep in mind that if something is not necessary and takes up space, it is likely junk and should be disposed of or recycled. So, reach out to an agency that can provide a junk removal service if you need it, and throw away the stuff that is basically useless. But you’d want to keep a few things that you can give away. For example, if you have old clothes that you no longer wear, donate them to a clothing charity or take them to the local thrift store. If you have broken appliances that are no longer useful, take them to a recycling centre or give them away to someone who can use them. And if you have empty food containers that are not being used, put them in the recycling bin!
Are You Ready to Practice Minimalism?
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to find the time and resources to invest in our personal well-being. But by living a minimalist lifestyle, we can reduce our stress levels, improve our mental clarity, and live more effectively and efficiently. Minimalism isn’t about giving up everything; it’s about finding the right balance that works for us. So if you’re ready to take your life back from the clutches of overstuffing and mindless consumption, give minimalism a try!