Looking for ways to lead a simpler life? For a very long time, my mantra was “more is more”. I was always just one purchase away from bliss. Over the past few years though my mindset has shifted. I now approach life from a place of plenitude, and I realize that I already have everything that I need. In this post, I’m going to give you 3 ways that you can practice minimalism.

What You Want…

When I tell you that I just recently stepped into a place of plenitude, I really mean it. Like really recently. Like last year. Before then, I was just coasting through life treating myself to everything I wanted, which of course was everything that I needed. Everything was great until the day my washing machine hose broke during a wash cycle and caused a mini flood in my apartment. I went to check on my clothes and watched a river of water wash down the hallway, and across my wood floors.

Yes, the situation was just as horrifying as it sounds. By the next day, my water-soaked floors were completely damaged. Thankfully I had insurance, but because the damage was so severe, I was told that I would have to move into a hotel for a month while the damage was repaired.

I remember sitting stock still across from the insurance agent as he delivered the news, and considered how I would cram the contents of my life into a hotel room for a month. What things did I need? What things could I go without? Everything else would go in storage and I wouldn’t have access to any of it. As much as the thought of not having access to all my stuff stressed me out, I knew it would be ridiculous to drag a bunch of stuff with me unnecessarily.

So What Did I Take?

To my surprise…not much. It really came down to this:

• Important Papers
• Toiletries/Medicine
• Towels/Linen
• Dishware etc.
• Clothes/Coats
• Computers/Chargers/Flash Drives
• Amazon Fire Stick
• Comfy Throw
• Candles
• A Few Books

That was kind of it. These were my bare essentials, and I made peace with them as I watched the movers wheel the rest of my things away. It was definitely an eye-opener for me, and over the next month, I realized that I had chosen well. I had everything that I needed.

In this life, many of us have been blessed with material things, that fall mainly into the want category. We think we need them and keep acquiring more, but all we really need are our basic essentials and each other. Now my list might be different than yours, but you get the picture.

Start by making a list of everything that you actually need for your survival and what falls into the “just things” category.

When you do that, then you are ready for…

The Clutter Detox

The clutter detox is about getting rid of non-essentials that are cluttering your living space. I truly believe that a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. The detox will include going through each room of your home and finding a new home for all of the things that you don’t need.

Donate

You know all of those clothes that you swore you would get back into? Yes, those…let them go. Focus on what is wearable today. I used to keep 3 different sizes in my closet just in case. I thought it would be super cool to all be prepared with cute clothes no matter what size I was. Well, surprise…I never got back into those smaller sizes. What I did get was more clutter in my already limited NYC closet space. Take the plunge and don’t look back. Box it all up and give it to someone who can use it right now.

Garbage/Recycling

Still holding onto broken toys, clocks, and remote controls from the TV with the tube in the back? None of that stuff will be repaired in this lifetime. Let it go. You’ll be surprised how much stuff you have just because. The stuff that’s been jammed into the back of your hall closet with no real purpose. It’s time.

Shred/Scan

Are you still holding on to papers from the 90s? A scanner will work for you too! Keep important documents and older documents that might be needed in the future and shred the rest. I do keep papers of sentimental value like my son’s report cards etc, but that business plan from my first job no thank you.

By keeping only the things that I absolutely love and the ones that have sentimental value to me, I’m able to keep my clutter quotient to a minimum. There are things that will bring you joy when you hold them because they are attached to a specific memory. These are the things that you save. If you focus on the retention of things with real value to you, you will find yourself shifting away from consumption.

Focus On Experiences

Memories are everything. I bet you don’t remember when you bought that blue sweater, but you can definitely remember the best vacation you ever had. Experiences live on in our memories forever. When you shift your focus to experiences, consumption takes a back seat.

Time is our most valuable commodity, and the more time that we are able to spend with our loved ones the happier we will be. A new sweater provides a momentary thrill and then it becomes one of many. Experiences last forever.

I’ve started to build my life around experiences, and my life is richer because of it. Every time I get the urge to shop, I ask myself do I actually need it, and if it will enrich my life. If the answer is no, then I break the trance and instead participate in an activity that brings me joy. Replace the behaviors that lead to consumption with activities that will enrich your life.

Are you ready??

If you have a moment, check out my previous post “External Validation and Opting Out”

https://herpicketfence.com/external-validation-and-opting-out/

❤ Stephanie