10 Ways to Start Living Like a Minimalist

Why do you want to pursue the life of a minimalist? What are your goals for the next six months, the next year, and beyond? Taking the time to write down your plans and aspirations for your new life pursuit will help you to get started and stay on track along the way.

After you establish your goals, you will then want to start in the most obvious of places: your home! From your clothing, to home decorations, to furniture, to your pantry . . . the list can go on and on. And although this can be a huge undertaking, it is key for pursuing the minimalist lifestyle. So, take your time, and declutter as much as you can, when you can.

As you start to declutter, you may notice you actually own duplicates of many different home items, especially in the kitchen. From multiple mixing bowls, measuring cups, and oven mitts, these items can quickly pile up over the years. Instead of hanging on to it all, pick just one set to keep and donate the rest to a local charity.

Simply put, versatile clothing is a minimalist's best friend. When it comes time to focus on your closet, think about each and every piece and ask yourself the following question: Is this good for layering? Is this transitional? Is this neutral enough to be worn in many different ways? If you answer "yes" to all three, chances are the piece is a keeper.

Being a minimalist also means being aware of how much waste you put back out into the world, with the goal being very little or none at all. Take the time to consider what changes you can make in your own life to become more eco-friendly. Try swapping out paper towels for a washable dish cloth, skipping the bottled water, or taking quicker showers to save on water.

Constantly planning and cooking new meals is not only overwhelming for you, but it also increases your average weekly consumption at the grocery store. Instead of preparing food with many different elements each night, focus on repeating meals or cooking meals with similar ingredients. Leftovers are also always welcome!

Being a minimalist is not just about decreasing the "things" you own. It also can apply to your personal relationships! And if you are involved in something toxic, whether it be a romantic relationship or a friendship, this may be the perfect time to re-evaluate. Sometimes it is better both emotionally and physically to leave some of your relationships where they belong: in the past.

When you live as a minimalist, it instantly makes packing and traveling that much easier, as you have less clutter to consider! Being thoughtful about every piece you decide to bring with you on your next trip or vacation will help to support your new simplistic pursuits even when you are away from home.

If you ever find yourself losing your way as a minimalist, remind yourself that at the end of the day experiences are greater than things. Keeping this mantra in your heart and in your mind will help guide you through some of the tougher times of your new lifestyle choice.

And lastly, don't beat yourself up if you hit a bump in the road along the way! Going completely minimalist overnight is probably not going to happen. Instead, assign yourself more realistic goals that you can achieve little by little until you are in the spot you want to be. Approaching life with a minimalist attitude is absolutely worth pursuing, but it will take work and dedication to truly achieve, and that's ok.