How to Transition to Minimalism Gradually Without Overwhelm

The notion of tossing out everything you don’t need from every corner of every cabinet and every closet in every room around the house can be daunting, I get it. Which is exactly why we do not even suggest doing it all at once. Just like a baby learning to walk, we too approach minimalism with baby steps. And the best part, you don’t even have to go all the way. Minimalism is for you, by you, of you. So whatever version of the term works for you, is the right version to go with. If you think owning ten pairs of jeans is a must, then that’s what it is. If you are a home baker, you obviously need all those baking utensils. Even an entire cabinet full of baking supplies is good. No one will judge you, no one can judge you. You are your own judge. You do you, person!

Minimalism is not about attacking and decluttering every single area of life. It is about tackling the areas that bother you, that prevent you from being true to yourself. Thus, if it is your digital life that needs minimalism, then that’s what you focus on. What’s the point of decluttering your wardrobe if it gives you joy in its current state?

Anyhow, back to tackling the issues, the clutter that does bother you most. “Slow and steady wins the race,” goes the wise saying. It is true. Even if it is just one area, one spot in an entire universe to declutter, please do remember that it still has clutter. Clutter is one word to define the presence of multiple excesses, most of which you are likely unaware are sitting there. Therefore, go slow. Take a deep breath. Let’s do this, together. You aren’t alone.

Step 1: Create three boxes: keep, discard, donate. Keep them handy.

Step 2: Remove the first thing you spot. Examine it. Do you ever use it? Have you used it in the past six months? If yes, clean it up and place it in the keep box.

Step 3: Repeat step 2 until everything is off that shelf and is in one of the 3 boxes.

Step 4: Do you have a pile on the floor, one made of things that did not fit into any of the boxes we made in Step 1? If yes, re-examine each item in the pile and give honest answers to questions in step 2. Repeat until the pile is clear.

Step 5: Designate a proper place for each item from the “keep” box. Oftentimes, clutter is created because something did not have a home, a place where it goes after use.

Step 6: Find a good time of the day, go out, and get rid of the “donate” and “discard” boxes respectively.

Step 7: Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Now that that particular space is free, you will soon want to tackle other places of clutter in your life.

Note: If this were a digital decluttering, you would do the same thing, except, your “donate” pile and “discard” pile would be a “delete” pile.

Transitioning to minimalism doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By taking small, intentional steps, you can create a simpler, more meaningful life at your own pace.