We want a new iPhone, the third pair of white sneakers and the sofa cushions could be replaced; we listen to music on Spotify, watch series on Netflix; via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram we are connected with our friends and complete strangers to play big bamboo slot. There’s no time for idleness. Because if you don’t take advantage of what’s on offer, there’s something wrong with you. Or is there? Minimalists have a different view of consumption, and you can learn a thing or two from them.
HOW TO BECOME A MINIMALIST
Because excess distracts from the essential, minimalists want to avoid it. The focus is on the question of what is really important in life.
Minimalism has nothing to do with doing without, nor with restricting oneself. On the contrary: those who live as minimalists no longer allow themselves to be restricted by the idea that they have to do, consume or own certain things. But where and above all how do you start to free yourself from this invisible compulsion?
The first step you should take to heart throughout the week: Stop consuming. Just don’t buy anything for a week – except for food and toilet paper. Because if you don’t buy anything, you don’t buy anything you don’t need.
OUR STRATEGY FOR YOU
What do you really want?
Minimalists are aware of what is important to them. You can do the same. Write down what you really want. This can be sports or healthy food, friendships, family, a professional goal. Always keep in mind the question, “Do I really want this – or do I just feel like I have to want this?”
Mindfulness exercises can help you focus on what’s important. Best of all, you don’t need anything but yourself to do them.
Declutter your home
Granted, you probably won’t get rid of everything in one day. If you have a larger apartment or house and don’t live alone, you can probably easily schedule an extra week for this. But the less unnecessary stuff that besieges our home, the lighter we feel. It’s best to start decluttering right away.
How much and what you clean out is up to you. Becoming a minimalist is not about living in an empty room with a white mattress as the only piece of furniture. Rather, it’s about ridding yourself of the unnecessary. So that in the end, you’re left with only what you really need.
Declutter your smartphone, email inbox, Facebook profile.
It’s not just useless clothes, kitchen appliances or furniture you should part with. Over time, you’ve probably also accumulated all kinds of “junk” on your cell phone, laptop or social media channels that just clutter up your inbox, hard drive or Facebook stream.
So today, your third day, dedicate yourself to digital decluttering. Delete unnecessary apps from your phone, empty your email inbox, and unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read (not ours, of course – but I’m sure you read that one, right?). If not, here’s how to sign up).
If you’re overwhelmed by the digital deluge, try a digital detox or smartphone diet.
Minimalists also keep their computers tidy. For example, delete unused programs. You can also “dispose” of movies, music, documents and photos that you no longer need. Sort out your Spotify downloads, delete and unfollow people and pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that no longer interest you or with whom you have nothing to do.
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