Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

Society is constantly shouting for our attention and it is way too good at convincing us that we “need” all the things. But we don’t buy it (literally!). And there’s a little secret—actually not so secret—lifestyle that might feel liberating.

Minimalism.

Minimalism is more than the aesthetic of white walls and succulents (although that aesthetic is cute). Described as "the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it," minimalism takes on the less is more approach and leads to digging deeper into intentional living.

It can be overwhelming and exhausting to come home from a day at work into a space that also demands attention. Having less things to sort and clean just might encourage a sense of relief when you walk in the door and give you the space that you need to unwind. In a sense, decluttering your space also helps with decluttering your mind. Now, of course, taking on a minimalist approach doesn’t mean only owning two sets of mugs and one spatula. It’s about owning YOUR necessities—your simple bare necessities. Forget about your worries and your strife . . .

Minimalism looks exactly how you want it to look. It’s setting up your space and wardrobe to hold what matters most to you—what brings you peace, a little joy, and what you need to use throughout the week.

So, interested in decluttering a little? It can be overwhelming to know where to start but once you do, you won’t want to stop! Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Create a sorting system that works best for you (boxes labelled “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “I don’t know”).
• Go one room at a time.
• Take a pace that best suits you—throw on your favourite tunes, sip a cup of tea, do a little dance with no pants—you be you! Decluttering can be relaxing.
• Ask yourself some questions: When was the last time I used this? When do I plan on using this? Am I holding onto this just in case? Why?

While you declutter your space, keep mama earth in mind. Donate or sell your items that can be used again. Check in with your city’s recycling program to find the best place for items that are not fit to be donated. Being intentional about what we throw away is an important part of the process. It gets you thinking about the life of things and sets a good foundation to being a more intentional consumer.

If you’re feeling like digging a little deeper, the book New Minimalism by Kyle Louise Quilici and Cary Telander Fortin walks through mentalities that are often attached to holding onto items we don’t need, offering tips and tricks to decluttering and staying on top of spending habits.

Minimalism doesn’t mean you never buying anything again. It’s simply being intentional about what holds space in our lives and really thinking about what we buy. What we hold onto affects our attention, our ability to relax, and how we interact with the ones we love. Life might feel a little lighter with less things and of course, we’d love to hear your thoughts on minimalism.

What does it look like for you? Has minimalizing positively effected your life?

Written By Jade Paxton for FRANC