minimalism makes us happy barbara simon life coach mona vale

It seems to be a bit of a trend, people talking about downsizing – and not only the older ones who don’t share their homes with kids anymore -, about minimalistic life style, about selling up and let go of all that ties us down. Yes we are a consumer society where we seem to love spending a lot of money and time and energy for things we don’t really need, want or find helpful, but we do it because others do it and we are being told we have to because it might just make us happy.

Yet many have now understood that it is not the materialistic things we buy that make us happy – often quite the opposite – but it is more experiences, emotions, adventures, shared moments that contribute much more to our happiness and wellbeing.

And I hear you say “but it is so hard to let go of things and stop accumulating more”…… and I know as I have been there myself. So today I want to give you just 2 tips on how to get started on the road to “Less is sometimes more”

1. Each week or fortnight apply yourself to one room or area in your place where you start going through all your things and categorizing them into:

A) Still needed, and the reason is…… If you don’t know, you just think you might need it, let it go

B) Selling or donating, depending on how valuable the item is. A good way of getting rid of clothes and may be seeing them again is to organise a clothes swap. Invite friends to bring their clothes they don't wear anymore but would possibly like to see on someone else and start swapping. Make it a fun event and what is left at the end goes to the Red Cross – no buts and excuses.

C) Throw away, clearly of no more use or attachment.

This is a systematic way of going through all your clutter with the clear aim of creating space. It is being said that the space around you reflects the space inside of you so by decluttering your living space you also declutter your mind.

2. Whenever you go shopping and you see that one item you want, need (think you do), were looking for for so long, stop and think about what it would mean to you to buy it, if you really need it, how many of similar items you might already have at home or just given away as you knew you didn’t need it. Give yourself that time to reflect and you might leave more things in the shop than you take home.

With all the money saved reward yourself with a nice dinner with friends, a massage, a weekend away or anything else that creates a more lasting happiness. One more thing to consider as well is the question who you are buying for. Is it for yourself or is it because someone else bought it as well, or because you want to impress someone else, and then ask what it actually is you need rather. Challenging, I know, but I want to help you understand more of yourself in the process to “Less is more”.

Generally it is a good idea to follow the rule 1 in – 1 out. When you buy a new item, another one has to go in order to avoid filling up your space again.

I can’t tell you how freeing it is to have less stuff to worry about. Less dusting, less to take care of, so much more room to move and more money to spend on what might be more important. As I said – less is often more. And the beauty is that whatever is left gets so much more attention J

If you need support with uncluttering your life, I am happy to have a chat to you and support you on your journey to more – whatever your more might be. 

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