Living as a minimalist means surviving on less while using what you have to maximize your simple life. Essentially, this simple living allows you to focus on a sustainable way of life through a significant reduction of your carbon footprint. Consequently, you end up decreasing the amount of waste materials that would eventually find their way into a landfill.
Minimalism is growing in popularity across different societies. That’s why you may have come across books and documentaries highlighting the importance of living as a minimalist. Below are simple ways you can become a minimalist to reduce waste, preserve energy and save money:
1. Evaluation of your Living Space
Seat back and evaluate your current home. Examine what is in your home and what makes your lifestyle enjoyable. Choose what you want to change from what you want to retain. Most likely, this is the most confusing and emotionally draining stage of your quest to live a minimalist life. If you do it correctly and accurately, other stages will fall in place much to your delight.
2. Focus on Decluttering
With decluttering, make sure to follow the 90/90 rule. This rule guides you to single out what you have used within the 90-day period from what you have not used in the same period. It also helps you find out what you are likely to use in the next 90 days.
Once you have pointed out what you need within 90 days, you can declutter what is not necessary to create more room for your minimalist living. Always focus on getting rid of items that do not add value to your daily life.
While doing so, spare anything that holds sentimental value to you and store it in a safe place or display it. Repeat this whole decluttering process throughout your simple living journey and dispose of waste in every stage.
3. Choose Quality Over Quantity
Give a second thought to what you are bringing into your living space. Try to be at least conscious about what is necessary at a given moment and go for it. Apart from that, shop for high-quality items that can last longer than low-quality ones.
Low-quality household items may degrade quickly, forcing you to dispose of them as waste material rather than donate them to those in need. You may also buy reclaimed materials to save money and prevent the disposal of waste in landfill.
4. Be Thankful for What You Receive from Others
When it comes to reducing waste while living as a minimalist, you should always practice gratitude. According to Harvard Medical School, they define gratitude as an act of showing a thankful appreciation for what you receive. This could be something tangible or intangible.
After all, those who show gratitude toward others or things that make their lives better tend to lead happier and more fulfilling life than those who don’t. Such individuals are always optimistic about everything in their lives and feel better about what they do.
With that, you should show your appreciation and gratitude for everything you are decluttering to create space for your minimalist living. Doing so to the items that served you previously will make you happy and help you embrace your new way of living.
Final Thought
Living a simple life or leading a more minimalist lifestyle is likely to take away your desire to own more than what is necessary. This way of living will also help you feel comfortable and content with whatever little you have around your living space. Most importantly, it will certainly divert materials and unwanted household items from landfills, allow you to be happy with things that really matter in your life, and save you a substantial amount of money. Follow the tips highlighted above and you will achieve living a minimalist life without breaking your back.
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