5 Extreme Minimalism Tips to Help You Get Better at Decluttering
Vera from Simple Happy Zen is sharing extreme minimalism tips that can help with decluttering. Decluttering can be tough because it’s hard to let go of items. Decision-making isn’t always so easy, and we have emotional attachments to the things we own.
Is there a better way to declutter, with more mental clarity? Vera shares her five decluttering secrets that actually work.
1. Pretend you are a guest in your own home. As a guest, you don’t have any memories or emotional attachment to the items. What is your first impression of your own home as a guest? What items would you actually use, if you were a guest in your home for a month?
If the items aren’t used, there is probably another reason you are keeping them around. It’s ok to keep some items purely for sentimentality, but this tip can help us identify which items they are, so we can pare them down.
2. Willam Morris said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful.” Are you actually using it (not imagining a future scenario where you might use it)? Is there nothing else that you could use for the same purpose?
3. Pretend you are moving to a smaller space. Moving is a great chance to go through what you own and downsize. Even if you aren’t moving, just pretending you are can get you into that downsizing mindset.
4. Set number goals. Tally up your makeup collection or anything else you want to downsize. Then, decide how many you want to have after decluttering. Alternatively, use a space goal. Pick a container and only keep the items that fit in that space.
5. Flip the script. When we declutter, we typically focus on what we are giving up. Instead of focusing on what is lost, think about what is gained by letting these items go: more space, a room that you enjoy being in, time, freedom, less guilt, and possibly even money (if you sell the item).
Extreme minimalism tips
Vera recommends that, as you go through a minimalist journey, you take photos and document to keep yourself motivated. What things do you think you could live without? Let us know in the comments.
For more decluttering tips, discover this former hoarder's extreme declutter before and after or this guide on how to declutter without making even more mess.
To see more videos, check out the Simple Happy Zen YouTube channel.
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If you are retired and have time to sort through your accumulated belongings, consider decluttering a GIFT to the family left behind when you eventually die. How thoughtful of you not to burden them with all your clutter! A bonus gift to yourself will be the peace of living in a neater, more spacious home.
I am retired, seperated from my husband(my choice), and on 12/15/22 lost my oldest daughter. 6 years ago I lost my youngest daughter. First I began purchasing all brand new furniture, linens, dishes, and a complete new wardrobe etc. Everything I wanted to be new. To reflect a new beginning. I also went thru my finances. I donated every item I could. I sold the more valuable such as my daughters brand new snow board & boots. I was a member of ipsy which is great to try new items but they add up. As I received full size products, I went thru 3 years of products and donated them to a woman's rehab. I called around to animal rescue, they took blankets, towels. Domestic Violence shelters headquarters, they set women/men & children up in apartments so in good condition pans, dishes, silverware etc. Rehab facilities & sober living plus shelters. It is a lot easier to decanter when you are helping those who need the most.