10 Practical Tips for Maintaining Minimalism in Your Life
And it’s true, trying to declutter the possessions for a family of four is no easy task. The entire process took us about nine months.
But since then, I’ve learned that the challenge doesn’t end with the last box of donations shuffled out the door. It requires consistent vigilance and intentionality to maintain simplicity and freedom in the long run.
The benefits of owning less are amazing. But it’s still easy to fall back into old habits of mindless consumption if we don’t make conscious efforts to sustain our newfound lifestyle. To that end, no matter where you find yourself on the minimalist journey, here are ten practical tips to help keep your life clutter-free and focused on what truly matters:
Set Clear Boundaries.
Decide which items are necessary for your lifestyle and happiness, and set firm boundaries for what you allow into your space. This can be accomplished numerically (34 articles of clothing, for example), but I’ve found physical boundaries to be the most helpful.
Declutter as you go
To live is to consume and almost certainly things will continue to collect in your home. Stay ahead of the clutter and keep your home minimalist by decluttering as you go. Whenever a space starts to feel full, remove the unnecessary—before it feels normal.
Appreciate what you already have by jotting down three things you’re grateful for each day or listing them during times of meditation or prayer. Keeping focused on the good things we already have takes our mind off all the things we don’t have.
Find consistent minimalist inspiration.
Having like-minded people around you provides motivation and encouragement. If you don’t have friends or family inspiring in this pursuit, look for inspiration online. In fact, I send out two articles every week focused on intentionality, simplicity, and owning less.
Just like it’s a choice to not let physical possessions overtake your life, it’s a choice to not let old habits pull you back into a cycle of accumulation. You began your journey into minimalism with a desire to live a life less encumbered by things and more focused on experiences and relationships. That’s amazing! Keep it up!