How to Reduce Clutter and Live Like a Minimalist

Too much stuff is stress-inducing.

Reducing clutter is something most people want to do, but it always seems too hard to just let go. The situation is even harder if you have little storage space in your place. But a minimalist home clears your head and helps reduce all the stress you see manifest before you in the form of clutter. Do yourself a favor and reduce that clutter, one step at a time.

Instructions

1. Assess what is necessary to keep and what is not. For example, your computer is a necessity, but an old cellphone you no longer use is not. Don't think that minimizing your life means you have to get rid of everything you love. In fact, reducing clutter will help you focus more on what you love to do.

2. Make three piles: Dump/Donate, Maybe, and Keep. Make sure that the Dump/Donate pile is larger than your Keep pile. Be realistic. Ask yourself if you will really ever use this item again. Maybe you already have an item that will do the same thing. Keep in mind that you only need one item for one process -- for example, you don't need five old coffeemakers, only your most recent or best one.

3. Take a good look at your Keep pile (and whatever made it over from the Maybe pile) and find a permanent home for it. It is no secret that clutter forms in large part because an item doesn't have a home. If you can't find a permanent home for it, go back and get rid of more stuff. Or find yourself a storage unit where you can keep it.

4. Once you have everything settled and items have a home, don't populate your home with more clutter by buying more unnecessary stuff. Be strong and maintain your minimalist space.

References

• Be More With Less: 25 Reasons You Might Be a Minimalist