Minimalism tips

Friends who make you feel bad, are constantly negative, or bring too much drama can be mentally and physically draining. Relationships are never easy, but toxic friends can be hurtful and cause constant stress. If you’re working on a more minimalist lifestyle, it’s time to consider letting go of those toxic relationships. In many cases, especially if the toxic person is a family member, this is easier said than done. But if you’ve tried to discuss your concerns, establish boundaries, and limit your time and exposure to that person, and they’re still causing you stress, it might be time to sever ties. It will likely hurt, but your mental and emotional health (and financial health) are worth it.

One of the basic tenets of minimalist living is having only what you need and use regularly. It doesn’t mean that you never buy anything. When considering purchasing a new item, it’s important not only that it serves a function and purpose, but that you choose quality over quantity. Buying a quality item will be more expensive in the short term, but will mean spending less over time. Quality items last longer than cheap items so you’ll save money in the long run. For example, a quality pair of shoes will be more comfortable and will last longer than a cheaper pair. If you take good care of your quality belongings, they’ll remain usable for a long time – saving you money and reducing waste.

A simple method for limiting clutter and maintaining a minimalist lifestyle is to get rid of two items for every new one you buy or bring in. For example, if you see a shirt you absolutely love and want to have, buy it and commit to selling or donating two you already own. Selling unwanted items will bring in some extra income, but there’s no harm in giving things away either. The buy one, give two rule not only helps reduce the amount of stuff inside your home, but it also means you need to be pickier about what you buy and what you keep. Related: 8 Best Sites to Sell Clothes Online

One way to ensure that you stick to the buy one, give two rule is to create a minimalist wardrobe, sometimes known as a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe means you own a curated and limited selection of clothing, usually between 30 and 40 items, that fit well, easily mix together, and that you love wearing. If you live in a climate with four seasons, you can create four capsule wardrobes with seasonally appropriate clothing. Stephanie Samuel, blogger at Simple by Stephanie and minimalism expert, uses a year-round capsule wardrobe that accommodates all the seasons. Another way to simplify your wardrobe is to wear mostly neutrals, like black, white, gray, navy, and tan, and less busy patterns (like stripes). Wearing a neutral palette means that all items can be worn together and you don’t have to spend time figuring which items match. Having a capsule wardrobe is an effective way to reduce the amount of clothing you own, save money, and eliminate decision fatigue when you look in your closet. You know everything matches, fits, and you can get dressed quickly and stress-free. This also makes packing for trips much easier.

When you consume less media, whether it’s podcasts, social media, or television, you limit your exposure to advertising. The advertising industry spends billions of dollars a year promoting gadgets, food, clothes, and everything else, so it’s almost impossible to escape product advertising. It’s everywhere. This can be overwhelming and tempt even the most budget-conscious person to spend money and stray from minimalism. To combat this, turn off the TV, log out of social media, and close your browser. People who have a true overspending problem can try a browser extension like StayFocused, which will block particularly problematic websites.

Gift giving is a controversial topic among minimalists, especially around the holidays. About 56% of people report receiving unwanted gifts during the holidays, many of which are thrown away or donated.[3] Limiting gift giving and receiving reduces unnecessary and unwanted junk and helps save money. Make a pact with loved ones to stop exchanging gifts. Focus instead on doing fun activities or sharing a meal. If your family is resistant to this idea, suggest switching to experience gifts instead of physical ones. Instead of buying your dad a golf club, take him to play a round of golf at a nearby club. Or instead of giving your sister a gift card, take her to a spa for a massage. Experience gifts allow you to still give and receive presents but without the burden of extra clutter.

If you're like me you have a bad habit of hoarding foodstuffs and never finishing them. Months go buy, and somehow your pantry and refrigerator get more and more cluttered with stuff you buy but never eat, because you lost interest there is always something more novel to eat instead.Put the brakes on that behavior. Declutter your foodstuffs with this one easy trick.Only eat your existing foodstuffs and don't eat out or buy anything new until they're gone. If you don't have an appetite for all the crap you bought, this is also a great way to lose weight, because all you have to do is wait until you're hungry enough that anything looks appetizing. optimum condimentum fames. 2 birds, 1 stone. You'll also learn a lesson about mindful shopping and thinking twice before buying something wasteful -- a lesson that doesn't sink in as deeply if you merely throw something away.