Minimalism is a pretty popular concept these days, but it’s not always easy to get started on the journey.
We’ve all heard the promises of minimalism: less stress, more focus, clarity, and better relationships with others.
But there are some struggles that come along with making the change.
So if you’re ready to make the jump to minimalism, this is for you.
Because before you indulge yourself in the massive change, let’s talk about what you’re going to have to give up.
What Is Minimalism?
Minimalism is a process of letting go of things that don’t serve us or bring us joy.
It is a style of living that promotes simplicity and quality over quantity.
It’s about prioritizing what matters in your life and then removing anything that doesn’t.
It can be applied to any aspect of life, but it’s most commonly used in relation to your home.
For example, if you’re a minimalist, you might have only a few pieces of furniture in your apartment or house.
You might even go so far as to have just one bed and one dresser!
In contrast, someone who isn’t a minimalist might have lots of furniture and decorations around their home.
There are lots of different ways to practice minimalism.
The idea is not about getting rid of everything you own; instead, it’s about finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.
And while there are certainly benefits to being more mindful about what we surround ourselves with and how we spend our time, it can be difficult to make those changes.
Even if those changes if for the better.
7 Struggles Of Transitioning To Minimalism
It’s not easy to transition to a minimalist lifestyle, especially if you’ve been living a materialistic one for a long time.
You may be overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have and unsure how to get rid of it all.
I’ve all been there.
You try to get rid of stuff, but you keep coming back to the same things and finding new reasons why they should stay.
Here are some common struggles that people have when they’re trying to transition to minimalism:
1. The Burden Of Change
The biggest struggle of transitioning to minimalism is the burden of change.
However, you must consider that minimalism is self-care.
If your whole life has been filled with stuff, getting rid of it can be hard.
Some people even find that they don’t want to let go of certain things like their favorite clothes or their kids’ toys.
It’s because they feel like letting them go means letting go of the good memories associated with them.
But here’s the thing: once you get rid of all that extra stuff, you’ll have more room for other things in your life!
You’ll have more time to spend with family and friends, more time to exercise and eat healthy foods, and more time to relax.
It’s an opportunity for growth, not an end!
2. Dealing With Clutter
There’s a lot of talk about how minimalism is organized and clean.
But in reality, it’s messy.
The truth is that transitioning to minimalism can be a long, slow process, and sometimes, it can be downright painful.
The first step to becoming a minimalist is getting rid of all the stuff you don’t need.
These can be clothes and accessories you never wear; shelves full of books you’ve never read; gadgets you don’t use; and so on.
But what do you do with all that stuff?
Do you give it away? Throw it out? Or maybe donate it to charity?
Well, that depends on you.
As long as you are decluttering, you’re on the right track!
3. Making A Schedule And Sticking To It
If you’re anything like me, you have a tendency to get excited about new things and then forget about them.
This is especially true if something isn’t a priority, or if it’s something that doesn’t seem necessary.
But if you want to be successful in your journey, this is one of the most important things you can do.
That’s why I’ve had to learn to make a schedule and stick to it!
Here are some tips:
- Start small. Start with one area and work on making it more minimalist before moving on to another area.
- Make a list of what needs to happen and when and write down how much time each task will take so you have an estimate of how long the project might take overall.
- Utilized an app so you can see all your tasks in one place instead of having them scattered all over your desk.
4. Coming Up With Alternatives For Your Favorite Things You Have To Give Up
If you’ve always had a lot of stuff, it’s hard to stop buying things and start thinking about what you already have.
It’s even harder to stop buying new things if you know there are so many other options out there!
But if you’re going to be a minimalist, you have to be okay with giving up some of your favorite things.
And then you have to find new ways of enjoying those things without them taking up space in your home or adding clutter.
You might find that some things aren’t worth giving up or that they don’t really matter that much, to begin with!
But if there are some items that really do mean something special to you, then make sure that there are other ways for you to enjoy those items in a more minimal way.
5. Getting Used To Living Space That Isn’t Filled With Stuff
When you’re transitioning to a more minimalistic lifestyle, it can be hard to make the mental shift from having a house that’s full of stuff to one that’s more empty.
One of the biggest struggles is getting used to living in a space that isn’t filled with furniture and knick-knacks.
But once you do get used to it, it’ll be so worth it!
Your new home will feel spacious and open, and you’ll never have to worry about cleaning out your garage again.
6. Letting Go Of Sentimental Items
I know that letting go of sentimental items can be tough.
This is a struggle for me, too.
It’s hard to get rid of things that hold memories and remind us of key moments in our lives.
But if you’re a minimalist, you know that keeping unnecessary items around just isn’t sustainable or healthy for your lifestyle.
You have to be willing to let go of sentimental items.
They can’t be the focus of your life!
7. Finding New Sources Of Joy In Your Life
This is one of the biggest struggles for people who are transitioning to a more minimal lifestyle.
Everything you used to find joy in can be taken away from you by a decision to live with less.
This is because some of these things, such as shopping and social media, were not sources of joy at all.
They were just ways of distracting yourself from the fact that you were unhappy or unsatisfied with your life.
So when you start living with less, you’re probably going to experience some sadness or depression as you realize how much stuff has been weighing down your happiness all along.
But don’t worry!
There are plenty of ways for you to replace those old sources of joy with new ones that are actually good for you:
- Find refuge in nature; spend time outside recharging your batteries.
- Start a new hobby; find something that makes you feel creative and useful (like cooking).
- Spend time with friends; get together with people who love and support you unconditionally.
5 Benefits Of Minimalism
Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that focuses on simplicity and the elimination of excess.
It’s been around for thousands of years and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the internet.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that advocates for fewer possessions.
People who live minimalist lifestyles can have fewer things, or they may own the same number of things as a typical person but have them in less space.
Either way, minimalism means that you have less stuff and more time!
Whether you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact, declutter your home, or simply live more intentionally, here are some of the benefits of minimalism:
1. Simplicity
Simplicity is the key to happiness.
Simple things in life bring joy, while complicated things make us stressed.
Minimalism helps people see that they have more than enough.
It makes people feel like they are able to do anything they want because they have the freedom of choice and options.
Minimalism gives people a sense of freedom, peace, and calmness because there are no distractions or unnecessary items that can lead to anxiety or stress.
When you have less, it’s easier for you to keep your space clean and tidy because you don’t need as much space for all of your stuff!
2. Focus
One of the biggest benefits of minimalism is that it helps you focus.
When you are surrounded by clutter, it can be hard to focus on what’s important.
When you have too many options, there’s no way to choose just one thing.
Minimalism provides clarity and makes it easier to choose between options because there are fewer of them.
It also helps you stay focused in other ways.
You don’t have as much stuff to clean or move around, so it’s easier for your mind to stay on task without being distracted by the physical world around you.
3. Less Stress
A lot of us can’t help but feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we have in our lives.
We live in a society that tells us to buy more, and that’s hard to resist.
But when you’re trying to declutter, it’s important to remember that you don’t need all of those things.
And if you do own them, they probably cause more stress than they relieve.
It’s hard to imagine how much less stressed out your life would be if you didn’t have so many things cluttering it up, but trust me.
It’s possible!
When you’re trying to declutter your home and get rid of excess clutter, it will make a huge difference in how much stress you feel on a daily basis.
4. Save Money
One of the biggest benefits of minimalism is helping you save money.
This can seem counterintuitive at first.
After all, if you’re getting rid of all your stuff, how will it help you save money?
But as it turns out, having less stuff means not only having less to buy but also having less to maintain and clean.
You’ll spend less time shopping for new clothes or cleaning up after spills because there was no rug in front of the couch where the kitty threw up last week.
You’ll spend less time on repairs because there’s nothing left to break!
And because fewer people have access to your home (or at least fewer people are going through it), there are fewer opportunities for theft or damage than ever before!
5. Creativity
Minimalism helps you clear the clutter that can often prevent you from being creative.
When you’re surrounded by things that aren’t useful or just take up space, it’s hard to feel inspired.
Minimalism helps you clear the clutter that can often prevent you from being creative.
When you’re surrounded by things that aren’t useful or just take up space, it’s hard to feel inspired.
When you’re surrounded by a bunch of stuff and your brain has no room for anything else.
It becomes harder and harder to come up with new ideas or think clearly about what’s going on around you.
Minimalism allows your brain to focus on what matters most: your life!
Do You Wanna Be A Minimalist?
Well, you’re in luck!
This is the best way to cut through all the noise and start getting rid of the stuff that’s holding you back from living your best life.
I get it.
It’s not always easy to know where to start.
Because I’ve been there, too.
So here’s the thing: you don’t have to go through this alone!
I am here for you.
I can help you get started on your journey toward minimalism by providing a free declutter self-care checklist with tips and tricks for getting started.
Check it out!