The basic philosophy behind minimalism is that having more does not necessarily make you happier.
Back in the 70s, P. Brickman conducted a study looking at people who had won the lottery and had homes full of the most wonderful things, and ultimately concluded that they were no better off psychologically than his control group.
So if you want to live a happy life, having more is not necessarily the way to go. In fact, there is mounting evidence – and a whole social movement based around it – that reducing the amount of belongings in your home can help you to gain more peace and calm in your life.
Here are some great ways to try this minimalist movement out for yourself.
Use Self-Storage
It can be daunting to suppose that you need to get rid of all of your belongings in one fell swoop.
A better way to get into minimalism is to simply find a self-storage facility you can use, where you can keep items that you don’t currently want but which you think you might want in the long run.
This is a great way to dip your toes into minimalism without having to commit too much, and it could be that you end up getting addicted to this simple way of life in no time.
Donate Your Items
Chances are, there are some people in your local area who could always do with some help, whether that means that they need new clothes or they are in need of bedding or something similar.
You can kill two birds with one stone simply by gathering together some of your excess belongings and donating them, either directly to the people you know are in need, or to charities you trust who can use the resources you give them in great ways.
This will help you feel calm, but also proud of helping other people.
Sell Your Items
It’s easier than ever to sell your items online, and with new research revealing that more and more consumers are shopping online, you can be sure that this is part of the growing trend of minimalism.
If you are coming across a lot of items in your home which are in perfectly good condition, or at least usable, but you don’t really have a need for anymore, then selling them on is a great way to free up space while also giving someone else the chance to have some of those beautiful items for yourself.
Plus, of course, you might make some money.
Recycle Your Items
For those who are concerned about helping the planet in whatever ways you can, you should remember that you can always recycle the items that you try to get rid of from your home too.
These days, many items are recyclable, and you should find that this is a fairly easy way to get rid of a huge number of items. If you are struggling to find somewhere local to recycle some of your belongings, you can look further afield, but it should always be possible to do so.
Prioritize The Important Things In Life
It is all too easy to get caught up in the things that don’t really matter. If you are getting into this minimalist way of life, you will start to notice just how many things you thought were important which turn out not to be at all.
Go through the things in your home, and really try to get close to a sense of what’s important and what’s not. As well as helping you to get rid of stuff, this is an important psychological health practice too.
Say No
A big problem and a big part of why we all end up with too much stuff is that it is very hard to turn down all those shiny new exciting objects.
But the more that you can learn to say no, the more likely it is that you will get comfortable with having fewer items in the house, and the benefits of minimalism are going to become very clear very fast.
Practice saying no with something small first and then build your skills up over time, and you’ll find it easier.
If you take on board these six important points, you are going to be getting considerably closer to the world of minimalism without too much trouble. You could find that this is one of the best things you have ever done for yourself, and your life is going to be clearer and calmer.
