Simple minimalism principles

Minimalism, simple living, decluttering—no matter how you describe it, the idea is increasingly evolving from being a novelty to a way of life.  

Clutter in any aspect of your life can cause anxiety and stress. It can manifest in a mess at home or even too many things on your to-do list.Take your time and ease into your ideal state of mind with these helpful tips. 

 1. Visualize your desired outcome. Your environment will play a huge role in affecting your overall state of mind. What would you want your home to look like as you undertake this journey? Make a mood board. Check out Pinterest for inspiration.

2. Let go. Go through your belongings and start paring your stuff down. As Marie Kondo famously put it – ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” Identify what you really love and what you use, time and time again. Donate the rest to others who can make better use of your unnecessary stuff.

3. Focus on light and cleanliness. Bring as much natural light in and use mirrors to open up the space. Gravitate toward neutral or natural colors for paint and furniture, and use natural finishes like wood, linen, and brass.

4. Be mindful of what you consume. Ask yourself if you really need it. If it is a necessity, could you buy a version that is higher quality that would last much longer? By keeping quality in mind, you avoid cluttering your home with mindless purchases.

5. Prioritize. This journey is very personal. It is up to you what you would like to start with – whether it is the content of your closet or the content of your daily schedule. What is most important to you?

Source: Manila Standard