5 minimalism habits to start with today!

There is always talk of minimalism today and it can be that you get to the point where you ask yourself if this isn't something for you. When you hear about this lifestyle, it all sounds very nice but also somehow really exhausting and after a lot of work. Does that actually suit me? Or does it just sound tempting because it's a trend?
Especially if you approach this thing in a new way, exactly these questions can come up. That's why I'd like to unravel the topic today so that you get some simple and concrete tips. They should help you to integrate minimalism into your everyday life without having to mutate into a hardcore minimalist
The minimalist habits that will be the focus of today's show will bring you closer to the essence of what minimalism is and what it stands for.

So, without further ado: Let's start with the 5 minimalism habits you can start with today!

1. Clean up every night

Cleaning up can be annoying. It's often the case that I spend more time getting upset about the chaos at home than it actually takes to just clean up. If you have little time in the morning or simply don't know what to wear, suddenly the dishes pile up in the sink or half the wardrobe on the bed.

What helps is cleaning up every night. Put all loose objects back where they belong. Granted, this is easier for me as a student in a one-room apartment than for a mother or a homeowner. But for me, cleaning up every night makes a big difference. Then I know what I own and by interacting with the objects I appreciate them more. You also notice what you might need to buy later or that you only ever move something from right to left and don't really need it. It also forces you in a way to deal with these things now and not put them off. If stuff accumulates and postpones, you don't have to worry about it at that moment. But later you will have more work to do.

2. Decision-making aids: Visualization and self-interrogation

This sounds intentionally dramatic, because this way I can remember these two points well.
Some time ago, especially when it comes to clothes, I just bought everything I liked (provided I could afford it, of course). As a result, my wardrobe was filled with stuff that I rarely wore. That's why I have gotten into the habit of paying attention to two things when buying:

The first is visualization. Here I imagine the piece of clothing in my wardrobe and think about whether it fits with the rest of my clothes and how I can combine it.

The second is the self-interrogation. Here I simply question myself critically: Am I really putting this on? When do I wear it and for what purposes? Do I already have a very similar garment? Is it worth the money? Do I perhaps only want to buy it because I think that I will feel better? Or is the garment really useful for me?

These considerations help you to shop more consciously and so you are more happy about the things you buy in the end. Because you know that they are useful.

PHOTO BY REINALDO KEVIN ON UNSPLASH

3. Challenge yourself: The Free Surface Challenge

This little experiment is great for you if you would like to get to know the world of minimalism, but don't know exactly how to approach it - or if you just want to get a change from the more common minimalist habits. First, think about a time frame for your challenge. This could be a week, a month, or even longer. Try to leave all your surfaces in your home empty during this time. To start with, clean up all your surfaces and look for places to store all the items for this period. It is not about not being allowed to use things anymore, but to get an idea of what it feels like to live in a very tidy and free space. How does it feel to live with less? How does it feel to have less standing on my surfaces?

When your given period of time is over, you might only want to put half of the original things back on the surface. Or at least you think more consciously about what is standing around. The problem with people is that we get used to things very quickly and do not really notice things that have been in the same place for a long time. Our brain switches to autopilot as much as possible so that we have enough free capacity to devote ourselves to things that are important at the moment. That's why many things become a kind of background noise, but at some point it gets louder and louder.

With the Challenge we can play a little trick on our brain and question ourselves if what we own is really necessary. It's worth trying it out!

4. Original Stories

Another way to get to know your own buying behaviour, your own habits better and thus better establish minimalist habits is to ask about the history of the origin of objects. Look at objects that you have at home. Then ask yourself: How did this object get here? Did I just buy it because it was on sale? Did I just think it was cool for a few months or do I still like it? Am I just not giving it away because I paid money for it?

So many of our possessions have a history of origin that goes in exactly these directions. That is why we should regularly ask ourselves: Does this object have a meaning for me? Do I like it? Do I associate it with a beautiful event?
The items for which we answer these questions with a "yes" are welcome to stay. But the things we have only for the sake of having, we do not need. Because in the end, they only fill up our home

5. Clearing out is not a one-time thing

Minimalism is not a one-off event where you go through your own apartment and clean out your mess.

It's an ongoing thing, an attitude and has a lot to do with Mindset. It not only has an effect on your own behaviour in everyday life and in the online world, but also on your own buying behaviour. Your own attitude towards and relationship to your possessions also changes. You become more aware of what you have and appreciate it more.

So be mindful, be determined and have more joy in the objects in your life again

If you liked the minimalism habits and you want to learn more about sustainability, mindfulness or healthy nutrition, take a look here over.

Do you know any more minimalist habits?

PHOTO BY DAN GOLD ON UNSPLASH