“Minimalism isn’t about having nothing; rather, it’s about having exactly what you need and use. When you get rid of everything that you are not using, you open up the physical (and mental) space and energy for the things in your life that really matter to you.”Valentina ThörnerSo, I’m officially here to make the case for simplicity. And to help me do that, I reached out to an expert. Valentina Thörner coaches in the area of minimalist living and decluttering for Coach.me, an app (I know … more technology) that aims to help you simplify your life.
But my favorite thing that she had to say was in reference to minimalism in general. She said, “Minimalism isn’t about having nothing; rather, it’s about having exactly what you need and use. When you get rid of everything that you are not using, you open up the physical (and mental) space and energy for the things in your life that really matter to you.
“It may start with decluttering your wardrobe, then spill over to your kitchen cabinets. You might start simplifying your eating habits by eating more cleanly, then start simplifying your schedule. Minimalism can be applied to all areas in your life: own less, do less, stress less and learn to breath again. Whatever you do, do it with purpose and be clear on why you are doing or owning something. Minimalism puts you in control.”
So, just as lists beget lists and stuff begets stuff, minimalist choices beget minimalist choices.
Thörner offered a few tips:
For the stuff
“In order to declutter, the easiest approach is to invest one minute a day. Look around yourself (or in that closet), pick one item that you haven’t used in 12 (or even six) months and either donate / sell / or throw it out. That’s it. Get rid of one unused item a day and within a year your home will look completely different.”
For the technology
“Moderation is the key, and thankfully technology has even given us the tools to force ourselves into moderation. Just as with real clutter, the first step is always to identify the problem. Track how much you use different apps or websites. Once you’ve identified the rabbit holes, start taking action:
“Define time frames where you will not look at electronic screens (e.g. after 10pm, while having dinner with your girlfriend) and make sure to put the phone away to avoid temptation.
“Get rid of all the apps on your phone (or close all the tabs on your browser) and start installing only those your really use and need.
“Remember: technology is a tool that you need to master. It is not your master. “
Simple, right? Hardly. But it’s a start. And while I won’t have the luxury every weekend of sitting around doing absolutely nothing with my buddies, it’s good to know that I can do it—and my life didn’t completely fall apart after all.
