Minimalist Living: How to Declutter Your Life and Mind

In our modern, busy, consumer-oriented world minimalist living has transformed into something more than a fashionable trend, and a way of life that enables individuals to get things down to the basics, focus and make their lives more meaningful. Minimalism is not about where you live in poverty or buy the bare minimum. Rather, it is about deliberate living: stripping away extraneous stuff – including stuff on your mind- so that you can concentrate on the important things.

Do you often feel stressed out because your house is in disarray, simply because you seem to have more on your to-do list than time? Do you respond to every seemingly important notice or call you receive on your phone? Do you spend a lot of time on electronic devices? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is possible that a minimalist lifestyle might be the answer. In this blog, we will see what minimalist living is and what are the advantages of it and how can we adopt steps to declutter our lives and our mind.

 

What is Minimalist Living?

Minimalism is the craft of decluttering your life by identifying the clutter i.e. less materialism and distractions, fewer obligations and commitments. It is all about staying in quality over quantity and living with meaning. Minimalist living does not imply getting rid of all you own- it is about making room in your life to accommodate only items that bring pleasure, calm, and worth to your life.

Benefits of Minimalist Living

Before learning how to declutter, it is important to realize the life-altering power of minimalism:

Less Stress- A tidy space will help minimize stress and makes the mind clear. Rew and Hindlong (2006) list several benefits of living the minimalist lifestyle. 

These include 

• Less Stress & More Freedom: Choosing to eliminate distractions, as well as and unnecessary possessions, means giving yourself time and freedom to devote time to relationships, hobbies, and personal development.
• Monetary Benefits: Minimalists are less wasteful on material goods, which gives them time to save and invest their money unwisely.
• Enhancement of focus: with less distraction, you will become able to focus on your objectives.
• Sustainable Living: Less ownership will also mean less consumption which is sustainable to the environment.

 

How to Free Yourself of Clutter and Your Mind

Clutter clearing is not a one time thing. These are some of the effective ways that you can start:

• Start with a Physical Decluttering

• Start slow and easy and declutter by room: One room at a time. Ask yourself, do I have use of the item? Is it of value in my life?
• Minimalization of the wardrobe: Stick to the capsule wardrobe and minimalistic garments with universal styles.
• Minimalist workspace: Clear your desk as this increases your productivity and helps you to get rid of distractions.

• Adopt Digital Minimalism

• Unsubscribe to UnwantedE-mails and clear out the inbox clutter.
• Create Folder-like arrangements of Your Digital files
• Limit screen time by uninstalling the time-wasting applications.

• Clean up Your Brain

• Be Mindful: The mind itself is cluttered, take time out to mediate or breathe deeply.
• Write Out your ideas and emotions: Writing can be used to put your thoughts in order.
• Be Clear on Priorities: Concentrate on a couple of important outcomes rather than a dozen outcomes.

•  Follow Simplicity Lifestyles

• Purchase With Purpose: Do not go shopping without a goal or motive; think before going to get something.
• Streamline your Calendar:    How to say no to extraneous obligations.
• Invest: Invest in experiences, not things.

Typical Problems of Simplicity in Living

The reason why many are afraid to pursue minimalism is due to the following myths:

I have to sacrifice all I love.” Minimalism is not nothing but keeping to what you need.

 

• Minimalism is dull.. In the real sense, it enables you to concentrate on passions, creativity and pleasure.
• It is just too difficult to get going. Take tiny steps, such as cleaning out one drawer or taking one distracting program out of the rotation.

 

How Minimalist Living Mental Health

A disorganised space translates to a disorganised mind. Minimalism living helps to lower stress levels and ensures better mental health because it makes one feel in control and calm. By taking a minute to eliminate the unnecessary stressors, you can concentrate on mental clarity, emotional level and your overall well-being.

 

Tips that Would Help to Remain True to Minimalism

Follow the One-In-One-Out Rule Like in the first step, you have to choose every new item that you bring home and give up one of them.

 

• Practise Gratitude: Turn your attention away towards all that you do have and not what you are lacking.
• Clean Up Consistently: Decluttering is not meant to be a one off exercise. Evaluate your lifestyle after every couple of months

Final Thoughts

Minimalist living is not actually about living with less but rather it is by living more purposeful. By clearing up our lives and heads we make room to enjoy peace to live joyfully and have quality relationships. Start with small steps, be consistent and you will sooner or later find yourself that minimalism does not limit you; it frees.