How to Make a Switch to Minimalism

Minimalism is a word often associated with home décor and layout, and although that’s a big part of it, it isn’t just about that. Minimalism can apply to any aspect of your life, such as your fashion choices, your spending habits and your view of the world. 

What is Minimalism? 

Minimalism is about living with only that which you need. It’s about thinking more objectively about the possessions you have, and the possessions you might like to buy while making a conscious daily effort to live with less in order to live with more fulfillment that doesn’t depend on hoarding material objects. 

Minimalism can also be about the design and décor of your home. It can be about switching a busy and crowded design scheme to something plainer and easier to manage. 

With this in mind, it’s no surprise that many people are wanting to make the switch. Knowing where to start can be tricky, however, so here is a guide to help you. 

How to Make a Switch to Minimalism

• Analyze Your Situation

A good place to start for the beginner minimalist is to take a step back and think about your lifestyle and home in an objective way. Is your home full of items you don’t need? Do you find yourself buying items impulsively? What might be the reason for that? Are there any areas you particularly want to concentrate on, such as daily living, food and cooking, or materialism? Answering these questions will help you to know how to move forward.

• Declutter

This can be a small declutter or a huge overhaul, but either way, it’s a good place to start if you want a fresh slate with what you have in your home. It will enable you to understand the items you use and don’t use, and what you actually want in your home. You can easily give unwanted items to charity if you’re looking for ways to donate at the same time. 

• Be Honest About What You Use

Take a look at all the items in your home: electronic items, clothing and anything else you have. Think honestly about when you last used something, if at all. Do you have clothing items with the tags still on from when you bought them years ago? Do you only have one or two pairs of shoes you wear out of ten different pairs? Do you impulsively buy items you know you’ll never use? 

Get a clear idea of what you actually use, so that you can get rid of anything you don’t, and also know not to buy the same kind of item in the future. 

• Think Differently About Home Items

Minimalism doesn’t have to be about throwing out the majority of your possessions. If you know what you absolutely want to keep, rearranging your home’s layout to take up less space is a great idea. You can think about multi-purpose furniture, such as a coffee table with a lid that provides storage inside or think about digital versions of items taking up space, such as photos or books.