The Art of Minimalism: How to Declutter and Organize Your Life

We’re living in a world where we are constantly bombarded with information and material possessions. Cluttered homes, minds, and chaotic lives, to name a few.

We own more “stuff” than our parents did, our kids have more “stuff” than we did, and then when you add all the screens to the mix – when does our mind really rest? But, and just hear me out, what if we used the art of minimalism?

The Art of Minimalism: How to Declutter and Organize Your Life

My oldest son is the king of minimalism. When he was growing up he collected EVERYTHING under the sun from Hot Wheels to rocks… Now that he’s grown and has his own place? He doesn’t want anything out of place or “extra” stuff everywhere.

We moved about 6 years ago and I liked his idea – because what I got from it is easy cleaning. If there’s not a lot of stuff there’s not a lot to clean. Everything has a home so nothing is ever just laying around. I am now a HUGE fan!

I had my daughter-in-law come over a few weeks back and empty everything in my kitchen – I told her what I wanted to keep, then she put everything else on the dining room table, I took a pic and sent it out to all the kids and within a week the table was empty! It felt so good.

My cabinets are so empty but look so great and it’s easy, once again, to keep everything in its place.

Let’s take a look at some ways to bring order to chaos through decluttering with minimalism.

How to Commit Yourself to Minimalism?

The truth is, decluttering and organizing your life can profoundly impact your productivity and overall well-being. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to declutter and organize your life, creating a more productive environment. 

Committing to a minimalist lifestyle can be challenging, especially if you’re used to living with excess. However, the benefits of this way of life can impact your overall well-being. Here are some recommended tips if you’re doing this for the first time:

1. Start Small

Begin by decluttering one area or one category of belongings at a time. Starting small will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and allow you to see progress more clearly.

Then you’ll see over time how relaxing and calm it is just to be in that space. It sounds crazy but it’s really true.

2. Have a Clear Vision

Understand why you want to live a minimalist lifestyle and what it means. A clear vision can help you stay motivated and focused.

Also make sure you know what it means to you. It will be different for everyone.

3. Plan Ahead

This falls into saving money, too. Plan ahead and stick to your plan. If you’re going to declutter the clutter in your life, pay attention to the extras you purchase.

I know not being able to spend money is quite different from choosing NOT to spend money. Sometimes we buy something because we can, not necessarily because we need or really even want it.

It’s hard coming from a place of never being able to afford the simplest things to being able to afford them and choosing not to.

I remember being in a store with a friend and as we were leaving there was a bear that repeated what you say sitting on the counter – it was like $40, she thought her husband would love it, so she bought it.

I’ll never forget how I felt, not jealous or anything just that I wish I could be impulsive like that – there was no way i could have done that, then.

Now I can and I choose not to – it’s a totally different feeling now.

4. Simplify Your Environment

Create a space that promotes simplicity and minimalism. Minimalism can be achieved by removing anything that does not serve a purpose and keeping what’s necessary.

Again, this place will be a place you want to be (or stare at in awe – lol), it brings a tranquility and peace to the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we live now.

Tips to Declutter Your Life

Knowing where to start can be daunting, so here are a few tips to help you get the job done:

• Reduce your “extras” that really don’t bring you joy. Look at your hobbies, commitments, etc. to see what can be placed on hold or dropped altogether to give you some much needed “breathing room”.
• Adopt a minimalistic approach to other areas of your life, not just your decluttering your home, but declutter your life.
• Declutter your digital life by organizing your files, unsubscribing from unwanted emails, and deleting old, unused apps.
• Practice saying “NO” to activities, events, social gatherings, and favors that do not align with your goals.
• Simplify your wardrobe by removing clothes that you no longer wear or use. We all have a closet full of a size we can’t wear right now… Let’s just get rid of those and when we can fit that size again – we can splurge on a NEW wardrobe 🙂

Tips to Declutter Your Work Area

A cluttered work area can lead to distractions, lost time, and decreased productivity. Here are some tips to help you declutter your work area (this is my worst area):

• Come up with a system that works for you for organizing papers, files, and other items that accumulate on your desk. 
• Remove any items from your work area that don’t contribute to your productivity.
• Whenever possible, choose digital files to eliminate paper clutter. Use cloud-based storage services to keep your documents organized yet easily accessible.
• Set aside time every few weeks to go through your work area and eliminate anything you no longer need.
• Keep your workspace clean and wipe down surfaces often to maintain a healthy environment.
• Set aside time once a month to organize any images or files that didn’t get put in the right place.
• Use a digital calendar to remind you to do these things on a regular basis.

You May Also Like This: 11 Home Office Organization Ideas

Tips to Declutter Your Home

When your home is cluttered, this affects your state of mind and can ruin your focus, mood, and how you present yourself to those around you. 

• Donate or sell the items you no longer need to free up space and give them a new purpose!
• Assign each item in your home to a specific place where it belongs. 
• Storage solutions like hooks, shelves, and bins keep items organized and out of sight.
• Reduce clutter by getting rid of duplicates.

You Might Like This: 10 Tips To Declutter Your Home

Art of Minimalism for a Happier and More Purposeful Life

The practice is about being intentional with our possessions, keeping what serves us, and getting rid of the rest.

We can cultivate a more meaningful life by clearing our physical and mental spaces, paring down our everyday activities, and investing in experiences rather than material goods.

The trick is to start small, or you can do it like I did when i moved – I got rid of everything I didn’t want int he new house and started off with a minimum.