What you learn as a minimalist is that the more you cut back on unnecessary ‘stuff’ and clutter, the less stress you have, the freer you become, and the more you can appreciate the few items that matter to you.

But what is ‘too much? Take a look at this checklist, and let’s find out together if you fall into this category.

You Dread the Thought of Cleaning Surfaces

Isn’t it time you dusted the shelf in your bedroom? If the very thought of that is starting to make your stomach do summersaults, then you have too much on that surface. It should take just a couple of seconds to wipe down a surface. Otherwise, you’ll spend your whole life tidying!

You’re Considering Moving to Fit Your Things In

This is something a lot of us do without a second thought. But if you’re buying an entirely new house just to store more of your items, then this is something of a worrying sign. You should be able to keep everything you own in a small flat – let alone a house!

But the Thought of Doing it is Terrifying

Think about moving house right now. Is this something you would be able to do on your own without too much stress? Or would you have no option but to spend a lot of money on a removals company?

If the latter is true, then this is a very clear demonstration that your possessions are limiting your freedom. You should be able to just up and leave to go wherever the wind takes you – your belongings shouldn’t trap you in one part of the world!

You Have Boxes Under the Bed and on the Wardrobe

This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it has a big psychological impact on how big and spacious a room feels. It’s important to include space in your home to let it breathe, and this is an important space that you should prioritize.

You Can’t Perform a Mental Stock Take

Run through everything you own in your head. 

Done yet? If you find this virtually impossible, you have more stuff than you can keep track of. Time for some of it to go!

Scaling back is what will allow us to focus on the things we have and appreciate what is already going well in our life. At the same time, having less and committing to less will give us more time to relax, recharge and attack the day refreshed. Minimalism brings fewer money concerns, a less stressed calendar, and so much more. So how do you embrace it? 

Here are five easy steps that will help you do just that.

Reduce Your Surface Clutter

The first place is by focussing on your ‘surface clutter.’ That means you’re going to remove around 60% off ornaments and decorative items from your surfaces. This seems extreme, but the result will be that what remains is your very favorite, increasing the average quality of what’s on display. Furthermore, it will be much easier to clean your rooms, and you’ll feel less claustrophobic thanks to a bigger-looking room!

Cut Things Out

Look for the recurring commitments and tasks that are taking it out of you. Learn to say ‘no’ and cut down on the amount you do every day!

Get Rid of Old Boxes

If you have an old box of things on your wardrobe, under a bed, or anywhere else, then get rid of it if you haven’t looked in it for the last 3 months. If there is anything in there that you turn out to need later, you can just replace it!

Make a ‘One in, One Out’ Rule

Make a rule for yourself that every item you purchase must replace an item you currently own. This will make you think twice before getting more clutter!

Introduce Systems

Look at the things in your life that are eating up the most of your time and introduce systems to help you cope. This can mean buying technology to automate jobs like washing up, or it can mean finding ways to spend less time sorting through email, commuting, or even choosing clothes! Rotas 

Know What You Want

The first thing you need to do is to know what you want and know what your goal is. You have to know what you’re all about and what is important to you – whether it’s friends and family or music. Once you know this, you can then be less easily swayed by marketing and advertising because you’ll know what you need to be happy. Your lifestyle should be an efficient system that supports the things that matter to you.

Play With the Numbers

Many of us only feel successful when we see numbers going up. More employees, more money, more friends. But often, you can play with the numbers to get more from less. A good example of this is to think about your wealth. Wealth is not just about how much you earn but how much you spend. Move to a smaller house, and you can be wealthy on your current salary. Would that make you happier?

Find Ways to Enjoy What You Have

To change your focus, you need to learn to enjoy what you already have. This means it’s time to stop thinking the grass is greener on the other side and instead start enjoying the things you already have. One way to do this is to write a list of things you can do and enjoy with what you already have, that you have yet to make the most of.

Adopt a Gratitude Attitude

A gratitude attitude means being grateful for what you have instead of bitter about what you don’t. The method most people use to cultivate this is to write down three things they’re grateful for every night. You’ll be amazed at how much better you feel!

Keep Trying!

Make a List of All the Things You Have Yet to Do

Why are you thinking of buying a new book or game when you haven’t finished everything on your shelf? And just how many other fun activities could you be enjoying using the things you already have? Make a list and keep this in mind!

Try More Free Activities

Yes, you could pine after that expensive holiday or another expensive meal. Or you could cook for your partner and have a romantic evening in, visit a museum, go for a walk or try learning another language.

Try a Gratitude Attitude

A gratitude attitude means learning to appreciate what you already have. Try writing down five things you’re grateful for every night before bed!

Try Cooking With Less

One area that many of us spend a lot of money in and can be very wasteful, is food. Try cooking with fewer ingredients and see just how delicious simple food can be!

Create Your Style

Don’t splash your cash on expensive fashion items! Instead, try creating your style that doesn’t depend on expense. You’ll have a more unique look and save money, at the same time!

Reduce Your Clutter

If you have lots of ornaments, then you’ll find they’re fighting for attention. The result is that no single item on your shelf looks as good as it could because it’s being drowned out by all the others. Take away 60% of your ornaments, and you’ll find that what is left looks much more beautiful!

Look Into Minimalist Design

Look into the minimalist design and learn some of the basic tenants. The idea is to make things functional – that form and function are the same. When you stop trying to create ‘artificial’ decoration, you’ll find that the simple straight lines that need to be there actually look quite stunning in their own right.

Learn these principles and apply them to your life to start enjoying less, more!

Love your fancy cars, your expensive suits, and your gadgets too much?

Well, I invite you to think again. Read on, and you might just realize that you’ve been coming at things the wrong way.

Working to Live

Somewhere along the line, many of us have forgotten that we ‘work to live.’ Today, we ‘live to work,’ and a large part of this is our drive to have more stuff and more status. Why are you applying for higher positions in your current career? Is it because you need more money?

Sure, more money might be nice. But if you feel that you’re living beyond your means, then you may not have considered some of the other options available to you to solve that problem. One example is to move into a smaller house, and you’ll have less space to store your things.

But that will be about the only downside! Meanwhile, on your current salary, you’ll have much less financial stress and bigger savings. You can then spend some money on things that matter to you! Conversely, if you take that job, you’re suddenly working longer hours and coming home a lot more stressed at 7 pm. Sure, you can buy that fancy gadget, but do you have time to use it? Why not get something similar on a lower salary by cutting back on the clutter you don’t need?

Status Versus Fulfilment

People reading this might be protesting that they don’t work for the stuff. Rather, they keep on increasing their responsibilities and salary at work because it brings them fulfillment and status. Isn’t it great to be able to tell people you’re the CEO? The manager? Or just a high-flying lawyer?

Sure, but why does your sense of fulfillment and status have to come from your work?

For starters, status is an empty concept anyway. Who are you proving yourself to? Your parents? Aren’t we beyond that yet?

Meanwhile, you could get just as much fulfillment – or more – from writing your music, creating art, writing a novel, traveling the world, or learning German. But that would be your choice and your creation. Why do people feel so proud to be the head honcho of a company that sells stationery? 

Is that really what matters to you?

Or have you been misled?