If you are already living a minimalist lifestyle and want to take things to the next level by living with the essentials, then there is one simple question to ask that can help you to reduce your belongings even further…
Can I live without this?
It may seem too simple but it works. If living with the essentials is your goal, then asking if you can live without this item can help clarify what you really need and what you don’t. As I continue on in my minimalist journey I am amazed how little I need to live a happy and comfortable life. I continue to whittle down in each area always asking if I would miss an item if I got rid of it and if it’s really essential to my daily needs.
Blocks to decluttering
During my minimalist journey I have come across a few stumbling blocks when decluttering. The main I had was finding future use out of something. We can be really creative when it comes to decluttering, coming up with all kinds of reasons why we will use something in the future. It is true, it may be useful and even serve a purpose now. However if i am not using this often enough then it is not really essential to my life. So I now ask this one simple question. Can i live without this?
Of course if something is essential and makes my life easier then i won’t get rid of it. Such as i could live without a washing machine if i really had to, but I choose to have one because it makes my life much more efficient by having one.
By asking if i can live without this? I am able to really cut through how important the item really is to me. It is easier for me to evaluate the importance of the item in question. It has enabled me to reduce my belongings considerably. I now realise that I actually use and enjoy only a small proportion of items in my daily life. Other things are just not essential and i won’t miss them if they are gone. In fact i will gain a-lot by letting go of the excess.
Often we hold onto things out of fear. Fear we will miss them or need them in the future. Fear that it will change our lives by not having them. The reality however is that we need very little to function and be content in our lives.
The key is contentment
The key is contentment. If we can be content with little, then we won’t need to worry about the extras that actually hinder us. Finding contentment with the simple things in life is a journey in itself. We are bombarded with so many messages that tell us we should want more. If we can stop listening to advertising and their false messages, then we can start to enjoy what we already have. We will come to a true understanding of what’s important to us personally.
What are the benefits of living with the essentials?
I have already mentioned that keeping the excess may hinder us, so what are the benefits to reducing to the minimum?
Time: Well for each of us it will look different. For me, the more I reduce the more time I have. Less time managing stuff means more time for the more important things. Being with and caring for my family. Reading, writing. My Faith. Health and other important things to me.
Less stress: Too much stuff equals chaos=stress. A calm and orderly home and life is a minimalist goal of mine. That reduces my stress level considerably. My family is also less stressed when things are running smoothly. It is important to realise that minimalism isn’t only about physical items but about reducing all of the excess such as a busy schedule and too many obligations. By reducing the unimportant tasks we will automatically reduce our stress and increase our time.
Flexibility: When stuff isn’t weighing us down and controlling our life then we have the flexibility to move lightly. Not only can we move home or travel more easily but we have the ability to take on opportunities that we normally wouldn’t because we have this stuff that some how holds us back. Think about how you would react if you suddenly needed or wanted to move, travel, take on a new job or do something completely different as a family. Maybe you want to open up your home to others. Would your thoughts turn to your stuff? How you would deal with it or how it is a problem? I know that for me the thought of moving had always made me cringe. Not because we were hoarders but it was just not simple or easy.
A clean home: This may be obvious but by keeping only the essentials, your home will be so easy to keep clean and tidy. Organising is simple because there is very little to organise in the first place. Not having to move around ornaments and ‘extras’ makes cleaning a breeze. I know that this has been a game changer for those who struggled with housework.
Mental rest: This ties in with less stress but have you ever thought about the impact that clutter and just stuff has on our brains? There are many studies on the effects but I will keep this simple but saying that our stuff demands our attention. Paperwork that we haven’t dealt with. Un-read books. Un-finished projects waiting for us to complete. Damaged clothing waiting to be repaired. Items that need dusting. It all requires a response from us. Even avoiding our stuff takes mental energy from us. Once we reduce to the minimum we have more clarity. Rest for our brains. I have found i am also sensitive to visual clutter. Too many patterns, colors and pictures on walls makes me tired. For the majority of us, a minimalist clean room helps us to unwind and relax.
By asking if you can live without this, you can also be reminded of what you will gain. The more i let go of non-essentials, the more confidence I get in living with less. I realise that my life will be easier and that if I do happen let go of an item that i may later need. It will be okay. Most things are replaceable. When it comes to my belongings, what i need to live a happy life is very little.
