Exploring Minimalism

Welcome to our 30-day challenge.

Keep the Stories is about retaining memories AND letting go of stuff.  This month, the focus is on the second part of that equation – finding ways to reduce what you have and simplify your life.

When the goal is to simplify, less truly can be more. Over the next month, I’ll challenge you to explore how trimming back on the things that clutter every aspect of your life can help you free space for the people and things that are most important to you. My hope is that you will look at stuff with a new perspective.

When I own less, fewer things go wrong and need to be fixed. I have more space: openings in my calendar, room in my home, and calm in my heart.

Lisa J. Shultz, Lighter Living: Declutter. Organize. Simplify.

A Few Benefits of Minimalism

Minimalism focuses on decluttering your life of material possessions so you can place more emphasis on what’s most important to you. Of course, this will look different to every person. Embracing minimalism doesn’t mean that you can’t have nice things. It simply means that you choose your possessions with intention. The goal of leading a minimalist lifestyle is to lighten your physical and emotional burdens, freeing you to concentrate on your priorities. Here are a few benefits of minimalism.

Save Money

When you develop a minimalist mindset, you’ll notice that you also start saving money.  Having lots of stuff requires that you have to manage and organize it, which might mean moving or storing it, or doing maintenance. Deciding to cut the clutter allows frees you of having to do those things, which can often directly save you money.  There might also be an opportunity for you to sell some of your belongings that have potential financial value but do not fit with your life or plans.  Additionally, once you start to remove extra stuff from your life, you’ll likely find that you are more selective of want you decide to purchase and more careful that what you choose to invest in will add value.

Reduce Stress 

Too much clutter and excessive buying can have a big impact on your mental state. Having visual clutter around you can actually increase the levels of stress hormone in your brain. You’ll be amazed at how much calmer you’ll feel simply by reducing stuff and reorganizing what remains.  When you have less and have a place for everything, you will spend less time trying to find things and you – and all your family members –  will feel more comfortable in your space. 

Improve Health

Chronic stress leads to many health issues that can sap your energy.  Therefore, reducing your stress will lead to better overall health.  You’ll have more energy when you begin to rid your life of unnecessary clutter. In addition, you can help to alleviate potential health issues like anxiety, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, and digestive issues.

Discover More

There are many other benefits of minimalism that we will explore in the next 30 days.  We’ll look at a number of strategies to reduce clutter and live with less.  We’ll also examine more ways that learning to adopt a minimalist approach can improve your life. I look forward to taking this journey with you!

Challenge Question for the Day

Is decluttering and getting rid of stuff easy or difficult for you?  Why?

What is your biggest challenge for letting go of things?

Challenge area for Day 1

Start in the kitchen.  Set your timer for 15 minutes and tackle one drawer or cabinet.

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