Minimalism is a lifestyle aimed at getting rid of the excesses that daily life brings. It's about choosing to be free from the pressures of compulsive consumerism and the unbridled materialism of modern society. The first step is to begin discarding the things you don't need.
Once you enter this minimalist state of mind you may find that you can live with less furniture, you may come to the conclusion that it's better to live in a smaller home and maybe even give up that extra car. Minimalism has no rules, it's flexible and it's you who decides what to keep and what to discard, according to your personal situation.
Here are some tips for adopting a minimalist lifestyle:
Make a list of the things you no longer use and then do away with them. Walk around your house writing down everything you and your family never use, like that bread machine that's been collecting dust in the kitchen for years. Consider whether you'll use these things in the next three or six months, and if not, get rid of them. You can donate them to friends and relatives who need these things more than you do.
If you don't know anyone who can use your unwanted things, you can;
Sell them online.
Have a garage sale.
Sell them in consignment stores.
Donate them to charity or to people in need.
Pull out the paper piles.
Documents can easily pile up and become a mess, making it difficult to find important papers when needed. To solve this problem, begin separating documents by category, such as "water bills," "invoices," "warranties," "bank statements and contracts," etc. Use folders for the most important documents and recycle those that are of no use (advertisements, accounts paid for more than five years, pending issues, etc.). To prevent paperwork from accumulating again, switch your accounts to a paperless system. You can contact your bank to learn more about how to do this.
Throw things out.
Your home probably has several things that can be thrown in the trash, freeing up space. Think of which products your own that may be beyond its expiration date. Overdue foods, seasonings, condiments, and makeup are some examples of what should be discarded as soon as the deadline expires. Develop a routine inspection in your pantry and fridge to prevent these things from building up.
Consider abandoning that car.
It's not necessary to live without a car to be minimalist, but this certainly contributes to this lifestyle. Cars cost a lot (think of paying for gasoline, registration, insurance, parking, repairs, and maintenance, etc.), they require energy to solve various types of problems, depend on parking spaces, vulnerable to thieves, etc. Of course, we need a car in various situations, such as families with children or those who live in places without access to public transportation and the like, but you can still choose to use it only when necessary. Try to rely on public transportation, a bicycle, taxi, and maybe just your wonderful two legs.