New year, new you may sound like a cliché, but the beginning of a new year is the perfect time for a fresh start. If you want a happier, calmer home in 2024, adopting a minimalist lifestyle may be the key.
A few years ago, I was introduced to minimalism by my sister as a way to ease the anxiety my cluttered apartment was causing me. She was already well into the minimalist lifestyle, but as someone with what can only be described as a maximalist and eccentric taste in home decor, she didn't think it was for her.
But I couldn't have been more surprised. Being a minimalist doesn't mean you have to live in a white box. Rather, it's the process of clearing out things that don't add to your life in order to create a quiet and peaceful space. It can be the first step to uplifting your home, and the effects will be felt far beyond a simple spring clean in January.
What is minimalism?
In short, minimalism is about simplicity and having fewer possessions. But you don't just throw all your belongings into a skip and live out the rest of your days with just one chair and a skeleton kitchen.
“People often confuse minimalism with white walls, no belongings, and sitting on cushions on the floor,” explains Craig Whalau, APDO member and owner of A Tidy Mind London. “While it's true that some people live this way, minimalism means different things to different people. At the end of the day, a minimalist lifestyle isn't just about having less, it's about living intentionally, mindfully. It's about a mindset that encourages fullness and appreciation for what truly brings value to your life.”
The goal of minimalism is to intentionally let go of things and keep only the things you value and bring value to your life.
Joshua Fields Milburn, part of the team behind the popular podcast The Minimalist, explains: Over the course of many trips to my local donation center, I intentionally gave away over 90% of my belongings, and suddenly chaos gave way to calm.
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Author, Podcaster, Minimalist
Joshua began his minimalist journey in 2009 and launched his minimalist website in 2010. Minimalist consists of Joshua Fields Milburn, TK Coleman, and Ryan Nicodemus. Not only are they New York Times bestselling authors, The Minimalists Podcast has been downloaded over 130 million times and is one of his most popular podcasts in the world.
Do minimalist homes improve mental health?
It's easy to declutter at the beginning of a new year, but letting go of 90% of your belongings can be daunting. But if you look around your room right now, can you tell when was the last time you used everything? Now, what's on your mind is not just to buy those things, but to own and maintain them? And then think about the mental capacity you're taking up at home.
Research shows that there is a link between minimalism and happiness. In an article published in the Journal of Positive Psychology in 2021, study authors led by Joshua Hook of the University of North Texas found a consistent relationship between minimalism and happiness across 23 studies. I discovered that there is.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Photoworld Ltd)
There are many possible reasons for this, but researchers speculate in their paper that it's because people who live a minimalist lifestyle are able to control their desire to consume more. . Instead, they could focus on psychological needs.
This is a complicated way of saying that a tidy space can make people feel calmer, more focused, and free to spend time doing things that make them happy.
How to adopt a minimalist lifestyle at home
If you're like me, the concept of a minimalist lifestyle and its benefits sounds great, but the reality of cutting back by 90% is easier said than done, but don't worry. I promise I won't be like the families on BBC's Sort Your Life Out, arranging all my belongings in a giant storage facility and competing to reduce the amount of stuff I own.
Instead, we've put together some easy tips to get you started, from what to get rid of to how to buy new items for your home.
1. Try the “spontaneous combustion rule”
This trick is taken from The Minimalist Rulebook by minimalists, which outlines 16 rules for living with less, and is Joshua's personal favorite. It starts with a simple question. If this item were to spontaneously combust, would you be relieved or would you replace it?
“If you're replacing it, it means your possession has a purpose in life. As long as it continues to increase in value, it makes sense to keep it,” Joshua explains.
“But if you feel relieved that the item is gone, that's a sign that you can give yourself permission to get rid of it.”
“What's interesting is that this rule can be applied to everything from material possessions and digital clutter to careers and relationships.” These are questions worth asking in all areas of life because they help you better understand the truth about things.”
(Image credit: Future PLC/Katie Lee)
2. Reduce your belongings “just in case”
This doesn't mean getting rid of your emergency power outage box or other emergency items that are rarely used. Instead, this means a tennis racquet that's gathering dust “just in case” you want to play in the future, or an empty jar of jam you're saving “just in case” you need to store it.
“A good rule of thumb is if you haven't used something in six months to a year, consider letting it go,” says Craig Hoareau. “However, keep in mind that once you have finished cleaning up, your job is done. You have to be careful about what you bring in afterwards, otherwise you will have to keep cleaning up. Masu.”
(Image credit: Future)
3. Try a minimalism game
Another form of minimalism, the minimalism game is a great way to slowly build up things you don't need in order to carefully get rid of them. Start by disposing of one item on the first day, two items on the second day, three items on the third day, and so on until the 30th day.
The only rule is that the goods must leave the house immediately. That could be dropping it off at a charity shop or giving it to a friend who might need it. One of my colleagues tried it and was amazed at how much more motivated she was to look for things she didn't want to keep on hand and how much calmer she felt at the end of the 30 days. I was surprised.
4. Consider the value the item brings to your life
“My wife, daughter, and I don't own many things, but everything we own adds real value to our lives: kitchen appliances, clothes, cars, sofas. Each of our possessions has a function. Every possession has a purpose and enhances our well-being. Everything else is a hindrance,” Joshua explains.
“Our possessions tend to get in the way of what's really important: our relationships. Our lives lack human connection, and we can't buy it, we can only cultivate it.” .To do that, we need to simplify things, and that extends to every aspect of our lives,” he added.
Next time you're buying something new or decluttering, think about what that particular item adds to your life and what purpose it serves.
(Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore)
5. Don't confuse minimalist lifestyle with minimalist aesthetics
This was the part of minimalism that I was always afraid of, but you don't have to subscribe to the minimalist aesthetic to benefit from a minimalist lifestyle.
“Minimalism doesn't necessarily mean neutral decor; the key is to avoid clutter. Personally, I feel happier, calmer, and more organized when my home is free of clutter. Some people find it more calming to have a lively space surrounded by decorations that remind them of fond memories, and interior design is very personal, so when considering the direction of your home's interior, consider your own heart. “It's important to listen to your needs,” explains Kelly Collins, Head of Creative & PR at Swyft.
Joshua also points out that while you may be living a minimalist lifestyle, it's not immediately obvious from home.
“After going minimalist, my house became relatively sparse. But today, more than 10 years after going minimalist, if you came to my house, you would jump and think, “This person is a minimalist. You won't be able to declare “Yes!” ” he says.
“No, you'd probably just say, 'He's decent!' And you might ask how me and my family keep things “organized.”
You can also use bold wallpaper, blankets, and artwork, but be sure to choose design ideas that will make you happier at home.
(Image credit: Future PLC/James French)
FAQ
How does minimalism improve mental health?
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle has many benefits, including increased happiness. The link between happiness and a simpler lifestyle has been found in many studies, with researchers concluding that it allows people to have more control over their desires and focus on psychological growth. I am.
“A minimalist home has a huge impact on your organization and well-being, with less tidying up, less worrying, and more money to spare,” says Craig Whalau. “An organized space reduces visual noise and promotes a sense of calm and clarity. You'll spend less time looking for things and more time enjoying your home.
“You'll find that having less stuff means fewer distractions, making it easier to focus on tasks, and increasing your productivity and creativity.” By having less stuff, being organized and simplified, you'll notice less stress. levels are reduced, which has a significant impact on mental health. ”
To kick off January, I'm going to try a minimalism game. would you like to join?