general tips

• budgeting: saving money is the best way to stop buying things (and the other way around)
• get inspired: watch videos, read books etc on minimalism
• identify and avoid triggers: if one app/site/ad/etc makes you want to buy stuff, avoid it — social media detox!
• intentionality: know why you want to become a minimalist
• take it slow: there's no need to be a perfect minimalist now
• don't build a reserve: you don't need to own things in stock or just in case: it's easy and quick to buy things these days. if you do need it, or you run out, then you can buy it in 1-2 days max.

practical tips

• before getting rid of things put them into a box and hide it for a few months. after the time is up you can keep what you actually needed, and get rid of everything else
• get rid of things you have twice / multiple times
• get rid of things you only own to seem cool
• if it's not a "hell yes i need this" it's a "no i don't need this"
• if you get rid of items that require more items, it's easy to get rid of a lot at once (e.g. a tv and its cables and tv stand and remote)
• one in, one out: only buy a new item if you get rid of an item of that category first (e.g. get rid of a jacket before you buy a new one)
• scan any physical documents and memories so you have them digitally (& ask companies to send you emails instead of letters)
• start with the things that are clearly trash
• take pictures of everything before getting rid of it

concepts

• container method: only buy what fits in the containers you already have
• uniform: the one outfit a person wears for any given weather. you theoretically don't need more than one outfit per weather

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buying questions

• do i already have an item for this purpose?
• does the color fit into my apartment?
• for clothes: does this increase the average score of my wardrobe?
• is the size definitely correct?
• is this eco/plastic-free/vegan/ethical etc?
• is this timeless, or part of a fad?

declutter questions

• am i only holding on to this because someone gifted it to me? (wouldn't that person prefer me not keeping something that i don't need?)
• am i only holding on to this for sentimental value?
• am i planning to use this? (if the answer is "someday" get rid of it.)
• do i have a similar item for the same purpose?
• do i just not want to get rid of this because i don't want to waste money / because i want to get my money's worth?
• does it spark joy?
• does this fit me / my living space / my life?
• have i used this in the last year?
• if i wouldn't own this yet (or lost it), would i buy it now?
• is this broken? if yes, can i fix it?

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apartment

• avoid small pieces of decoration that you have to move to dust a surface
• good decorations are:
  • books that you want to keep
  • framed pictures
  • plants & vases
• japanese floor beds and tables save space. you also won't need (bedside) tables anymore, because the whole floor is the 'table'.
• lighting is important (low light!)
• try to make your apartment pretty not by buying decoration but by buying statement furniture pieces etc.
• use negative space

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source ‍

• ckspace
• goodbye, things

➜ 50 things to declutter | ➜ less waste list