So minimalism has piqued your interest. Maybe you saw an Instagram story, or watched The Minimalists’ documentary on Netflix. Regardless, you’re here because you want to live a more intentional life. 

The first thing you need to know is that minimalism is a journey. It’s not a one-size-fits-all method, nor will it happen overnight. Like any type of lifestyle change, this is going to take some time. Your mindset will shift. Your life will feel lighter. It will likely be an ever-evolving process, and minimalism may look different in different phases of your life. But, nothing can change if you don’t start. 

Step One: The Why

Why do you want to live more intentionally? Take some time to search yourself. Is it to help with anxiety? Is it to save money? Is it to spend more time doing things you *actually* want to do?

Do some research. The Minimalists have two documentaries, several books, a podcast, a blog, and a YouTube channel. 

On the surface, minimalism is about getting rid of your junk. Here’s the thing: minimalism is NOT synonymous with decluttering. 

Minimalism isn’t:

• Depriving yourself of the things you love
• Seeing how few items you can own
• Living in a sterile house with white walls and no decor 
  
  

Minimalism IS:

• tool to help eliminate physical and mental clutter
• A way to appreciate the things you do love 
• A fresh breath of fresh air 
  
  

There’s nothing extreme about minimalism. In fact, it’s the opposite of extreme. Intentional living is you taking back the reins for your life. 

And, when you understand the “why”, the “what” is suddenly much easier. Having the end result in mind is key to starting your journey. 

Step Two: The Where

You’re in, and you exactly know why you’re doing this. Now, where should you start?! Anywhere! Well, that’s the simple answer. 

Oftentimes, we spend so much time worrying about doing something the “right” way that we never start at all. Ask yourself this question to get inspired:

Where am I most excited about minimizing?

What area makes you most excited? Is it your closet? Kitchen? Your schedule? Whatever makes you want to dive in, go for it! Progress inspires more progress. 

If everything feels overwhelming, start with ONE drawer. ONE cabinet. ONE small closet. This isn’t a race. Rome wasn’t built in a day! If you want to get *really* crazy, have a packing party! Pack your stuff up, and see what you truly use over the course of a month. You might be surprised.

Another great resource is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book breaks down where to start (closet) and walks you through each area. 

Step Three: The How

Once you’ve nailed down where to begin, let’s break down the how. 

1. Pull everything out. Yes, every. single. thing. 

Empty the closet, drawer(s), or whatever area you’re working in. You need to visually see the pile to understand what you have. Marie Kondo talks about this in her book as well. 

2. Sort each item. 

Once everything is pulled out, start with one item and decide: keep, toss, or donate. Then repeat. Keep, toss, or donate. 

While you’re sorting, have a trash bag and a donate box nearby so you can put the items directly where they belong. For now, the “keeps” can go back into the closet/drawer/room. 

Minimalism isn’t necessarily about organizing as much as it’s about simplifying. However, I think a huge perk of minimizing is the organization that comes with it. There’s something to say about keeping your home and possessions neat. 

3. Repeat

Once you’ve done one area, you can do any area! Clearing out stuff you no longer need is a process, not a one-and-done task. You may get through your entire home only to go back through and find more things you want to let go of. 

The more you clear out, the more clarity you gain on what you truly love, want, and need. 

Minimalism Mindset Shift

Getting rid of the excess is only part of minimalism. Your mindset has to shift if you’re truly committing to a lifestyle change. 

What do I mean by that? Well, you won’t stay “minimalist” long if you continue to buy excess stuff. Your shopping habits need to adjust to fit the new you. 

Minimalism ripples into all areas of our lives, not just our physical possessions. For example, minimizing your digital space is just as important. Becoming more intentional about your money, your diet, your calendar, etc. is all a part of this journey. 

This brings us full circle back to The Why. Why are you doing this? If it’s to be trendy and have a pretty home, that’s fine. But, if you want to truly transform the way your life feels and reclaim your space, time, and money… well, it’s going to be an amazing journey. 

And I’m here to cheer you on and help, every step of the way. 

P.S. Want more minimalism content? Check out my blog post 171 Items to Get Rid of. I also have a list of my favorite resources here.

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Disclaimer: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. That means I get a small commission if you purchase through the link. However, I make it a point to only share tools and resources I truly love and use.