If you’ve ever looked a “minimalists” and just thought you WISH you were them — having an innate sense of needing less — this is the article for you. Today we’re going to talk about how YOU can declutter like a minimalist and how you can needs less as you move forward.
Minimalist Isn’t In Your Nature
You may think that minimalists are BORN that way, but I’m here to say that most minimalists are not “made” that way. I sure am not.
Note: Every single child wants to get “more” or have things they don’t have. It clearly comes NATURAL to have things around us that we think we will need.
Which means that you too can declutter like a minimalist — by asking yourself a few things….
This can explode into you needing more of things everywhere you see, or you can tame those thoughts to remind it that there will always be enough and you’re fine with some very basic things. A lot of people call this an abundance mindset — and it’s one that you can work to create as well.
Confession Time: This doesn’t come naturally to me AT ALL. I have to constantly remind myself that I have what I need and I can get what I need when it becomes necessary. But, for many of us — this will be a constant mental fight.
Looking for more organizing info — be sure to check out these posts:
- 5 Reasons You HAVEN’T Started Organizing & How to Fix Them!
- Family-Tested Organizing Tips
- Clever Kitchen Storage: Smart solutions for smaller kitchens
- House Cleaning List {Printable}
- Dish Storage 101: Make Your Cabinets Hold More
SOME things are going to hold the highest value
Many of you might find that “everything” is important to you, but as you start to declutter you will realize that there will be things that are the “most” important. When you do, make a mental note.
The thing is, for everyone they’ll be different. For me, it would be cards and sentiment that important people in my past have written to me. Those take value over anything they have given me (that I don’t use), or reminds me of them.
This may be a mindset thing as well, because those things are fairly small, which also works in my personal values to fit the items I have in the space allotted. That’s something I’ve worked to GROW in myself — that I prefer to only have stuff that fits the space I have. I value that more than having piles of things.
This allows me to let go of things they had that aren’t as important to me personally, because I have those things that I think are the most important.
And yes, this also means I’m working to save every voicemail my dad has ever sent me….
This means that most things hold a lesser value
There have to be categories of items that are the MOST important, and then less important.
You have a home that can only hold a certain amount of things, so these designations will let you realize what can and can not be kept.
That isn’t to say that some things, like a can opener, will be kept because they serve a current function in your life — not because you “love” them (although it is awfully nice if they overlap).
People or Life over Things
Most minimalists have decided that people, or experiences, or just the very fact that their things aren’t encroaching on their lives as a high priority for them.
For everyone this will be different. I tend to put a lot of in a cabinet if I can get it to fit well (and still allow for easy take-out/put away). I don’t mind a small amount of Tetris as long as it isn’t too hard to put away the items.
But, if it takes forever to put something away, or my family just can’t do it the same way I can to make things fit, I need to have a new plan.
I hear a lot that a spouse or partner has more things than an apartment can hold. The sad news is that each person sort of has to become a “minimalist” on their own and we can only control ourselves.
Looking for more organizing info — be sure to check out these posts:
- Want Your House to STAY Organized? Follow these tips!
- 19 Easy Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Life Easier
- Three Things To Help you Declutter & Manage Your Home Easier
- Wrapping Paper Organization
- Maximizing Your Organizing Time – Get Help!
Questions to ask yourself to be a minimalist:
By engaging your brain into the process it may help you be more like a minimalist — here are a few good questions to ask.
When was the last time I used this?
Be VERY realistic when you’re decluttering items. Honestly answer when you last used it. You could also dive into:
- Did it do a good job in it’s intended purpose (if it’s clothes, did you feel good in it)?
Just because we use something doesn’t mean it works well. It also doesn’t mean we should replace it, but it’s important to be honest with what purpose that thing really holds, and is it fulfilling it?
Could I see me needing this in the next year?
This doesn’t mean that the only things we should be keeping are things we use frequently, but it should definitely hold a place.
For instance, I have a Christmas tree…. and it only gets used once a year, but it’s important to me.
However, I have a roasting pan that I use MAYBE every 3 years…. is that worth it to keep? That’s a valid question.
A good question to ask:
- How do I see myself using this in the next year?
If the answer isn’t clear, that’s a good indication that this isn’t a need — it’s filling a “might need” spot — and you can’t keep all the might needs around.
Could something I already have replace the job this does?
I think this happens a LOT with items in the kitchen. We buy something that takes up space, but it something that an instrument we already have could also do the job.
This happens a LOT with “cutters” — and I’m not here to say that all of those are useless, but if you’re looking to save room in your kitchen, it might be better to just use a knife.
You just have to decide if the time you’re saving by having the item makes up for the time you’ll have to use getting it out, putting it away and possibly taking up room that another tool could use and be more helpful.
These are all questions you have to really ask yourself — getting your brain engaged in the process! This class really helped me get my brain engaged into this process.
How hard would it be to get something similar to do the same job?
This is a smart question to ask. If the item is taking up space in your home, you rarely use it and it is easily replaceable — it might be smart to to let it go.
Remember, when items are in your home you’re paying “rent” for them to be there. They are taking up space something else could take up!
However, if it’s not as easily replaceable then that is something to consider.
Doesn’t mean you should keep it — but all of this is information is compiled to help you make a choice.
When I can easily buy the item at a big box store, it might be worth it to get rid of it (aka, a roasting pan — if I only use it once every few years, would it be smart to just get a disposable one should I need it?).
Would I buy this if I saw it in the store?
This is another one — sure, you already have the item — but if you saw it at the store, would you purchase it? Why?
We tend to put value on things we already have, vs getting it new. BUT, this can be good information to have as you choose to keep or give something away.
Getting your brain engaged in the task of organizing is one of the most important things I can do as I get into organizing. I love the things I learned in here that got me going, and I think you’ll find it so helpful as well!
So, how are YOU Going to change how you declutter? Tell us in the comments!
Leave a Reply