Sure the concept of being a minimalist sounds mind-boggling and the mere thought of only owning 20 pieces of clothing is scary. Trust me I’ve been there. Growing up in an environment where having less meant you had no money, was the last image I wanted to portray. I would never in a million years believe becoming a minimalist or possessing a few items would bring so much joy and clarity to my life, but it has. The misconception of this lifestyle has brought on frowns but today I will introduce five steps on how you can become a minimalist and enjoy your life.  

STEP 1: DISCIPLINE

Remember being a minimalist is a lifestyle and in order to change the way you live, you first have to change the way you think. That shopping habit you once had will have to cease. I know that’s hard to swallow but in order to live with less and clutter-free you have to buy less. It takes discipline and with time, you will succeed.

STEP 2: PACE YOURSELF

The most important thing you can do is start slow. Begin decluttering your car first then maybe your coat closet. The name of the game is to create order in your life at a steady and consistent speed. The slower you start, the quicker you will get to what you desire.

STEP 3: DEDICATE TIME

Since you are making a transition, you will need time to let most of your possessions go. This is probably the toughest part of it all and the most time consuming — unless you’re like me and hold no sentimental value to anything you own. Take each day one by one to decide on the items you want to keep and discard. Once you're done, organize the items that are left behind, sit back and throw your feet up! Remember to donate your clothes and gadgets to your local charity.

STEP 4: MAKE A PLAN

As your home is transforming, it is important to plan out how you want your home to look and feel. As you’ve probably seen during your research many people associating minimalism with a particular “look” — white walls, black/gray accessories and plants. Though this style is popular in the minimalist world, it’s not the defining style for being a minimalist. Having a minimalist and organized home comes in various colors and styles. As long as you create a space that serves you, that's what’s important.

STEP 5: LEARN TO SAY NO

No one likes to say no or be told no especially when it comes to getting something you really want. The beautiful thing about life is that we have choices, everyday and every second we are presented with choices. You can choose to buy those glittering shoes or that extra pillow or you can choose to walk away. In order to truly adopt a minimalistic lifestyle you will have to embrace the power of No to enhance your life. The joy of it all is if you made a mistake yesterday, today you can choose to change.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to become a minimalist, email us at info@rescuemyspace.com

Rescue My Space provides organizing solutions to individuals that are busy, overwhelmed, tired of living in clutter and ready to make a change the modern way. For more than five years we have been helping people reclaim their life back by showing them how to maintain an organized space. There are no projects that are too big for us and we believe everyone deserves a space to relax and enjoy. For more information on how to hire Judi as your personal organizer, visit her website at www.rescuemyspace.com.