5 things you should know about minimalism

Do you also have the feeling that the same minimalism tips keep repeating themselves the more you learn about the topic? However, there are a few things that you have to gradually figure out on your own, but I wish they were also part of these “tips and tricks”. So I put together a kind of list of the thoughts that I thought might be worth writing down.

What is my “why” when it comes to minimalism?

Decluttering your home and throwing away possessions can often become more emotional than you would initially think. Therefore, it is important to have a strong reason for giving something away. Of course, cleaning up for the sake of cleaning up can be a powerful motivator in itself. However, when it comes to parting with some beloved items, things become more difficult. That's why it's easier to clear out when you're highly intrinsically motivated.

This means that one own has motivation to do something. And not that people from the outside tell you to do something. An intrinsic motivation in this context could, for example, be that one does not want to have to rely on material possessions in order to feel happy. Or that you want to consume less sugar for the sake of the environment. An extrinsic reason for wanting to become more minimalist, however, is that you feel pressure from the environment to own as little as possible. And that leads me to my second point.

Do it your way

After numerous videos and articles, you quickly feel the urge to throw everything away immediately, or to implement what you have learned as quickly as possible. We make the decision for ourselves himself, and not for others. So in my opinion there is no real right or wrong. Just because a YouTuber tells you that living out of a suitcase is enough doesn't mean you have to agree. You can decide for yourself when you want to change or implement something and at what pace. It's up to you how you live your life and how different things and decisions make you feel.

Just because others do it that way doesn't necessarily mean it's the best solution for you.

SOURCE: PIXABAY.COM

How do I start?

Of course, there are numerous ways to get started. There is no right or wrong here either. At the beginning I think it always helps to read up on the topic or watch videos. A book that I come across again and again in this context is Marie Kondo's “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” (German title: “Magic Cleaning: How proper tidying changes your life”). The guide not only informs the reader about cleaning and tidying up, but also offers him/her the opportunity to learn more about themselves by reflecting on their own behavior.

One tip that Kondo gives when it comes to decluttering is not to sort out the item immediately, but rather to pick it up first and ask yourself whether this item brings you joy and makes a positive contribution to your life. If so, a nice place for the object should be found and kept. If not, gratitude should be felt toward the object for once being a beautiful or useful companion.

The book introduces the topic of minimalism as a lifestyle through everyday matters such as cleaning and tidying up, and the comments and suggestions can be quickly integrated into your own life. Absolute recommendation!

Stay calm!

I'm having a hard time not feeling bad about what I own after combing through several articles, books and videos. There are just a few things that you would really hate to give away and also some items that other people might put in the “unnecessary” category, but that mean something to you. Am I a bad person if I don't sort things out as radically as many others? No!

In my opinion, minimalism does not have to be an “all or nothing” approach, but can also be limited to a few areas of life. Especially if you carry out a creative activity, such as being an artist or cook, you are dependent on some tools and equipment that you would not find in other households or would find in significantly smaller quantities. If these objects bring you joy or if they make (creative) work in this form possible, in my opinion there is nothing wrong with it. I can have a lot in one area and still live as minimalistically as possible. As mentioned above, everyone does what is best for him/her. Personally, it helps me to view minimalism not as a strict set of rules, but rather as a kind of guideline or guide.

Am I not allowed to buy anything new now?

Living minimalistically doesn't mean having to be stingy or overly modest. If you're investing in a product that will last a long time and pay off, then there's basically nothing wrong with getting it. In the long run, this not only saves money, but also produces less waste.

PHOTO BY ANDREJ LIŠAKOV HE UNSPLASH

The most important things in brief

• The whole thing is easiest when you have a solid reason for wanting to live a more minimalistic life. A “why” that comes from yourself.
• A little inspiration from books, videos, podcasts or blogs on the topic never hurts! Give yourself the time you need; Of course, you don't have to change your entire life overnight.
• Trust your feelings and instincts and embark on your own personal journey. Implement everything in the way that best suits you and your life. Just because someone does something differently than you doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.
• You don't have to feel guilty just because you're still buying new products or only integrating minimalism into your life in certain areas. Everyone does what they can and investing in more durable products is not only beneficial for your wallet, but also for the environment.

Minimalism is all about living a simpler life and - instead of focusing on material things - placing more value on yourself, on other people and on experiences.

If you would like to find out more about the topics of sustainability, mindfulness or healthy eating, take a look here over.