When starting something new, we tend to forget what we already have and choose to purchase instead. Want to start journaling? Start by using an existing notebook you have in your storeroom.
If you want to start an eco-friendly lifestyle, start using something you already have instead of buying a new reusable item. Digital clutter is still cluttered.
You need to improve this, take it seriously and make it a habit, clearing your digital clutter. The practice of decluttering digital clutter can give us the extra clarity we need for our day to day lives.
Precisely similar to their physical counterpart, if we don't keep it intentionally, no matter how much we delete our files, we will still be overwhelmed by incoming digital information.
Often times, we are cluttered with information, apps, emails and whatever digital distraction we can think of because they are free, but we ignore the fact that they take up a lot of our headspace and time.
Ang oras kung saan maaari nating magamit para sa pamumuhay ng isang totoong buhay sa halip na isang virtual. Bigyan ang ating mga sarili ng ilang oras upang alisin ang digital na kalat tulad ng mga file at email bawat isang beses sa isang sandali.
Monitor your screen time usage per week, such as no screen time after a particular time of the day. Or even better, do a digital detox for a day of a week.
Next, mindful purchase. We need to stay cognizant of the things we purchase.
We have already made so much effort to declutter our lives. We wouldn't want to find ourselves back in the rabbit hole of buying new things for short dopamine rushes. If we're going to buy something for our collections, set a ceiling for us to keep our group in check.
When we want something badly, we can always justify our purchase for whatever reason we can think of. When we have the impulse, regardless of the senses, give ourselves some time to consider it through before deciding to buy. An excellent way to curb impulsive purchases is by using the wishlist strategy or the "wait for it" rule. Because during the wait, our impulse fades, and we can identify our wants and our needs, but I don't think it's wrong to purchase what we want.
Still, we must look into our current situation financially and physically and align with our values. Embrace the space. Now that we have completed decluttering and curb our temptation to buy something new let us enjoy the negative space we have in our life. Okay, negative space might connote something nasty, but we are looking at the physical space we have, the freedom from things.
Let us appreciate it. Sometimes we feel the need to have something just to occupy space because now it looks too empty. We acquire decorative items, which serve no purpose and provide no value. Sometimes it's fair to have open spaces to emphasize the beauty of other things. Or even better, emptiness by itself can be or should be appreciated.
Next, learn to say no.
It is tough to say no to our loved ones and family. However, sometimes we have to focus on the self. Minimalism is not solely about owning less.
It's also about protecting scarce resources like time, so we can spend it on the things we truly value. We are not obligated to accept everything that is offered or gifted to us.
Remember this. When we say no to gifts, invitations or commitments that will overwhelm our lives, we are saying yes to ourselves.
Next, is having a Minimalist budget. It feels great if we can have the money to buy high-quality, aesthetically pleasing and even a brand that acts as a form of reliability. However, with so many benefits, that comes with a hefty price. And being a minimalist, they always say quality over quantity.
But that doesn't mean we have to splurge on things with the highest price or highest quality because minimalism is not for the poor, nor is it for the rich.
It's for anyone who wants to live their life intentionally. That's when having a minimalist budget is an important habit to have. We all have different things we value and financial situations.
The whole concept of less is more can apply to our budgets too. We try to spend less to save more. So we can spend it on things we care about.
A minimalist budget can help us to focus only on what we need and eliminates whatever is redundant. For me, an account helps me a lot lately as I have to replace my laptop. With so many options out there in the market, I got really tempted by the prettiest choice. Having a strict budget acts as a reality check for me.
Lastly, enjoy the journey because minimalism has no destination. In life, we always aim for the goal. Every trip seems to be daunting because what we want is only to reach the destination. No doubt achieving what we strive for is fantastic, but wouldn't it be better if we can enjoy the journey as well.
What's fun about minimalism is that there's no destination, no rules, and no perfect examples for you to follow. It is highly individual. Don't rush and take your time to identify what truly matters to you and enjoy the process of living a simple life. And it's not based on the internet. It's based on your own values.
These minimalist habits could help us a lot with our minimalism journey, and they act as a reminder for us to be mindful of the things we bring in.
Thanks for reading!
