A Trend Towards Minimalism

In recent years, there has been a push towards minimalism, especially during the pandemic.

"People are at home more and are face to face with all that stuff,” says Ryan Nicodemus, one half of The Minimalists, a pair on a mission to help others trim down their possessions, and the coauthor of Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works. “They're starting to question what actually does add value to their lives.”

His coauthor, Joshua Fields Millburn, is quick to point out that minimalism isn't living in a stark white house with empty walls and no furniture; it's about keeping what enhances your life and getting rid of what doesn't.

The duo of Fields Millburn and Nicodemus is quick to point out that the average American home contains a whopping 300,000 items. Minimalism, Nicodemus says, is what helps people sift through all of that.

Clutter has been linked to stress and anxiety and can even lead to overeating junk food and procrastinating. And Fields Millburn adds that it can have a negative impact on many areas of life.
Clutter, according to the Minimalists, does more than take up space. Purchasing an item costs money, which can lead to financial stress and the need to work harder to acquire more. Items require storage and space, which can lead to mental and psychological stress. And while people's first instinct is to tame clutter by purchasing products to help organize it, the Minimalists say this is not the answer. The best way to “organize your stuff,” per the experts, is to keep the things that add
value to your life and get rid of any items that don't.

Ready to start eliminating things in order to make room for what matters the most? This expert guide will tell you exactly what to toss.

1. Anything that doesn't add value
Fields Millburn says to ask yourself: “How might my life be better with less?” This can help you understand why you want to downsize, which is highly individual. For instance, some people want to quit their buying habit for more financial freedom, while others want fewer items to care for and more time to spend with family and friends.

2. Just-in-case items
To the Minimalists, “just in case” are three dangerous words. “If you look around your house, you'll likely find thousands of items you're storing just in case you might need them in some nonexistent hypothetical future,” Fields Millburn says. These items can usually be replaced, if need be, for less than $20 and in less than 20 minutes. The exceptions to this, Fields Millburn notes, are emergency items like first aid kits, which you should definitely keep handy.

3. Photos and paper
"It's about saving less,” says Courtney Carver, author of Be More With Less and creator of the minimalist fashion challenge called Project 333. Give yourself permission to get rid of duplicate, similar or blurry photos, coupons or mailers you aren't using, bills and statements you can get online, old newspapers and magazines, and things you've ripped out of a magazine. Dana K. White suggests that you scan photos or take a photo of a photo to create a digital version and then toss the physical copies.

4. Actual trash
Start your de-cluttering process by emptying the trash around the house. You have no emotional attachment to it, and it helps you start to see individual items that need to be thrown away. Empty your wastebaskets, shred piles of papers you've been meaning to shred and get rid of the junk mail piling up on your kitchen counter. It's a great start both physically and mentally!

5. Damaged items
Holding onto a favorite mug that's chipped or necklace that's fallen apart? Time to let go. “Be honest about what things are damaged and toss them,” White says — even if you were meaning to sell them. “If it's damaged, it probably does not have the value you've been assuming it was going to have one day.”

6. Extras/duplicates
"You always use your favorites but still have extras for a variety of reasons,” Carver says. Maybe something was on sale, or you think you should own more of a certain item, but you ultimately get to determine how much of what is enough. Items that fall into this category, she says, can include coffee cups, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoons, wire whisks, handbags, sunglasses and pens.

7. Stuff you never use
"If you are holding on thinking, "It's not hurting anything", re-frame and ask yourself how it's helping and contributing to your life,” Carver suggests. “If it's not, you don't have room for it.” This often includes things like random spices and sauces, uncomfortable shoes, empty frames and containers, books you've already read or never plan on reading, junk drawer items (or the whole drawer), knickknacks, freebies or gifts you were given but don't like.

8. An abandoned hobby
Be realistic about which hobbies you've moved on from and toss the related materials you're not using. “Maybe you collected stuff for knitting and tried it once and didn't like it,” White says. Then it's time to donate the yarn. And if you come across hobby materials and want to finish the project, go ahead. Allowing finishing a project to count as de-cluttering “is a really helpful mindset shift,” White says. Keeping brushes for a painting hobby you're never going to have is not.

9. Items from a past phase
If you don't have a dog anymore and don't plan on getting a new one, give yourself permission to get rid of the dog bed, bowl and leash. And if you're retired, pack up the majority of your professional clothes and office supplies. This, White says, will give you more space for items that serve the phase of life you're in right now.

10. Anything expired
This includes medications, food and makeup. If you can't find the motivation to de-clutter here, do it for your health, says Julie Coraccio, a professional organizer and author of Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out. Yes, ladies, this includes old and expired makeup! Also, properly dispose of expired medications and toss out old food for your safety as well.

11. Things that bring up bad memories
If an item doesn't make you feel good, send it on its way. “Release the unflattering photos, the gift from your no-longer friend or mementos from an ex,” Coraccio suggests. “Clear your space to welcome new experiences and people into your life.” Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and Offer Up are easy ways to list things to sell or give away.

12. Clothes that don't fit
"Many of us have skinny jeans or T-shirts from high school that no longer fit us. Every time we see these items, whether we are aware of it or not, it's an unpleasant reminder,” Coraccio says. Your closet should house items you look forward to wearing instead of being a place to cast aside what you know you're not going to wear.

13. Digital clutter
Digital clutter can build up as well, Carver says. Unsubscribe to podcasts you don't listen to and delete music you don't enjoy from iTunes. Drag documents you saved and never access, or email you don't need, to the trash. Unsubscribe from email subscriptions you aren't using and from people on social media you don't want to follow anymore. Delete apps that drain your time and energy and social media platforms you don't care about.

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