Minimalist Mindset

Minimalism is not something I though about as I was growing up. But as I look back now I can see how my current mindset has been shaped by many of my past experiences... for example, during my childhood years I was taught to give away the clothes and toys I grew out of or didn't use anymore. As a teenager, I learned from a friend, that every time I get something new I should get rid of something I already have in exchange. In college, I learned to prioritize what was important to bring with me to a small shared room in an apartment. As an adult, I gained a love of finding better replacements for things that get worn down and to take good care of my valued possessions. As a mother of three, I found less is more and a simpler life is beautiful and easier to maintain and truely gives you more freesom. All these experiences helped drive me to prioritize minimalism in my life.

The double P's of minimalism: For me, minimalism is about loving each and every thing you have in your home. Every single thing in your life should have an exact place where it belongs, and a purpose. After these two ideas are met, then taking good care of all of your possessions will come easy because you care about and love them. It will be easy to get rid of products that are not being used or do not have a place. I also enjoy finding products that have multiple uses and can replace more than one other product.

So where to start? The best way to minimalize an area of your life is to go into that area and getting every thing out in one category. Place it all in a pile and go through every thing and make sure:

1. you use it often

2. it can't be replaced with another item in your home

3. it has an exact place that it belongs

As you complete these steps in every area of your life you can develop a love of minimalistic living. Being aware of every single thing you have in your home is a saving grace. You will not waste money on something because you will know you already have a possession in your home that you love that is filling that purpose. If you find something you want to purchase then you need to make sure you are willing to get rid of the thing you already have that is fulfilling that purpose to gain room for the new thing.

Having a minimalistic mindset has saved me so much money over time because I find products that have multiple uses and I am aware of what I have so I am not buying multiples. Even in my kitchen it is very rare that we waste food because we are aware of every single thing in there, and when it needs to be used soon then we make use of it. Also when I think of something I need I first ask myself if there is something I already have that can work for that purpose.

Minimalism is so freeing. I highly recommend striving to live more minimally.

One step at a time.

Keep progressing!

-Myrika