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What You Need to Know Before Starting a Minimalist Lifestyle

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Minimalism has been one of the top buzz words for the past year. If you’re a frequent lurker on social media, you’ve probably heard of it once or twice. Perhaps you’ve even read an article about it. For those who are completely clueless as to what minimalism is, I’ll break it down for you.

A minimalist lifestyle is referred to as “simple living,” or living only with the things you need. It’s also about avoiding excess and unnecessary material things that don’t add value to our lives. In our current materialistic society ‒ and all of its corresponding problems ‒ minimal living has surged in popularity.

If you’re interested in starting a minimalist lifestyle, here are some things you need to know first:

  1. It’s going to be a long process

The transition to minimal living is not an easy nor a quick one. It’s going to take at least a couple of months or even a year, especially if you’re a person who owns a lot of stuff and loves to shop. Before you start your minimalist journey, accept the fact that this isn’t going to be a quick fix for all of your problems. Nothing good ever comes easy. Just be patient and take things one step at a time.

  1. Minimalism is more than just decluttering

I’m sure you’ve seen the countless blog posts, articles, and YouTube vlogs of people decluttering their homes. While decluttering certainly is part of minimalism, this is one small aspect of it. A minimalist lifestyle does not just stop at getting rid of stuff you no longer need. You have to apply this to your future actions as well. If you still shop in excess and buy things you don’t really need after decluttering, you’re not a minimalist. You just did some spring cleaning.

  1. Becoming a minimalist will save you a ton of money

If you’re looking for a way to increase your savings, minimalism may just be the way to do it! Since this lifestyle is all about only obtaining things that add value to your life, you’ll be less likely to spend money on useless junk. Minimalism is a great way to practice budgeting and curb your spending habits.

  1. Minimalism is good for your mental health

Feelings of distress, frustration, and sadness may be tied to material things and our culture that places material things on a pedestal. It can harm our mental wellbeing and lead to jealousy and dissatisfaction. Adopting a minimal lifestyle can help get rid of these negative feelings.

  1. There is no one type of minimalism

There are no strict rules when it comes to minimalist living. You don’t have to be an extreme minimalist and live with zero possessions. This might be the right fit for some people, but it might not be for you, and that’s okay. Minimalism looks different for everyone. The only rule you have to follow is to only invite things or people into your life that add meaning or value.