People often strive to get the best of everything—a big house, a fancy car, branded clothes, the latest gadgets, visits to fancy restaurants, and abundant wealth. But in an attempt to keep up and meet these wants, many feel overwhelmed. Here’s where the idea of a minimalist lifestyle comes into the picture. It involves intentionally living with fewer possessions that genuinely add value and make life meaningful in the long term.
Simple Living Trends
Those interested in a simple lifestyle can start by making a few important changes.
Decluttering
One of the most basic minimalist lifestyle tips is to declutter the house. Over time, people accumulate several items they no longer need, such as extra coffee mugs, clothes, and dysfunctional kitchen appliances, which may lie around different rooms. The home is a safe place to relax, have fun, and spend time with the family after a long day at work, so it’s only fair to keep it neat and tidy. Getting rid of unwanted items and cleaning the house is an excellent first step to start a new journey toward simplicity.
Setting Routines
People often leave most of the chores for the weekend only to find themselves overloaded with too many things to do when the day arrives. Setting up routines can solve this problem. A routine throughout the week can ensure all tasks are completed on a schedule and create more time to relax on weekends. Even small alterations to daily routines can go a long way. For instance, one can set a schedule to complete chores, like washing dishes and clothes or taking out the trash. If these tasks are done at set times throughout the week, it can leave ample time to relax on a holiday.
Focusing on Self-care
Another simple living trend that has gained momentum is self-care. Even small changes to the routine, like eating nutritious foods and exercising, can brighten the mood. Other self-care goals can include spending time in nature or reading a book. Remember, focusing on self-care can go a long way in boosting overall well-being.
Getting Off Social Media
Doomscrolling on social media is one of the most time-consuming activities today that can have harmful consequences, such as impulse online shopping and a lack of real-world interaction. So, an ideal minimalist lifestyle tip is to get off social media immediately. Instead of a smartphone, one can use a regular phone to organize social meetings with friends, family, and colleagues and speak to them in person. If that’s not possible, a smartphone should be a last resort. Getting off social media has been shown to simplify life. It can save money on purchasing sponsored products online and prevent social comparisons.
Downsizing the House
Downsizing to a smaller house is a great step for simplicity, especially with costs for bigger spaces going through the roof. In fact, it is seen as one of the most popular simple living trends today. Moving to a smaller space can help save loads of money on rent, mortgage, or maintenance. These funds can be spent on making useful alterations to the new home, like switching from older appliances in the home to more eco-friendly options that can reduce energy bills.
Cutting Down on Credit
Simple living also involves making calculated financial decisions. For example, most people accumulate credit card debt while pursuing a luxurious lifestyle. While debt may allow one to buy expensive products and live lavishly, it can cause stress. On the other hand, one may not get what one wants by avoiding debt, but it will provide peace of mind knowing one does not owe money. If one already has a credit card, one may not cancel it but keep it aside for emergency expenses. Remember, good credit is essential to getting a house mortgage and having a credit card can help maintain an exceptional credit history.
Frugal Living Ideas
The objective of a minimalist lifestyle is to spend money only on what is needed. There are several ways to do this.
Thrift Furniture
A furniture piece or household item does not have to be new. Buying from a thrift store can reduce spending and promote frugal living. Also, since the furniture is reused, it can promote sustainable living. Such furniture would cost far less than the sticker price.
Reassess App Subscriptions
One can list all monthly or yearly subscriptions to various apps, including streaming platforms, and determine if they are needed. If any subscription is no longer needed, it’s better to discontinue it. Furthermore, if the app is used only once a year, like during the launch of a new web series season, one can consider paying for only that month.
Stop Morning Cafe Runs
It’s normal for most people to buy a cup of coffee every morning before work. However, if a large cup of dark roast coffee costs about $4 a day, it can amount to about $80 over 20 days. Instead of spending so much, one can go frugal by stopping the coffee run and making a cup at home for a fraction of the cost.
Eat Home-cooked Meals
One can eat locally sourced foods to live simply. Shopping for groceries at the local farmer’s market and making home-cooked meals is also a good habit. Besides saving money, it provides a great opportunity to get out of the house and meet people.