For many of us, the hardest part about making a lifestyle change is not knowing the answer to a simple question: Where to start?
To find the answer to a new approach to their home, one person turned to the r/Minimalism subreddit. “I’d like to start decluttering more and making the house emptier for my own mental health. Where should I start?” they request.
In response, many minimalism enthusiasts have jumped in with their own stories and advice.
“I did the clothes first. Then the toilet. I took a weekend to then go through all the food in my kitchen first, then the supplies and utensils,” one person said . said. “These are three areas of everyday use that are quite utilitarian (although clothing requires some mental gymnastics to overcome certain leaps like sentimental value and understanding the sunk cost fallacy). Once these three are areas covered over three separate weekends, things became more manageable.”
Another agreed with this approach. “Start small!” they encouraged. “I’ll break my projects down into a smaller task, like focusing just on cleaning the bathroom vanity. This will usually lead to me doing more.”
One person took a broader view, frame it as a question of philosophy. “I think your two basic options are: 1. The Konmari style approach where you select the things you actually like and discard the rest. 2. The Fumio Sasaki approach where you discard everything by default and then repurchase if you really need it.”
But another intervened: adage“You can also use a box instead of a trash can. Put everything in boxes, if you don’t take it out of the box to use it within a certain amount of time (a month), then it goes to the trash /donation/pile of gifts.”
And above all, one person said, take it step by step.
“Don’t give in to the temptation to move into another field before you’re done with this one,” they say. informed. “Take the time to appreciate the results; it’s fuel for the next one.”
Opt for one minimalist inspired lifestyle is not only a great way to appease your mental state by eliminate clutter — it helps you too to safeguard and even earn money when you do. As an added benefit, less useless objects you buy, less unnecessary waste and corresponding pollution you contribute to the planet.
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