How to Become a Minimalist: 4 Tips for Downsizing and Living with Less
In my most “viral” video to date (70K views and counting), I share some of my best tips from my journey to become a minimalist. I outline 4 specific action steps you can take to start living with less. By putting the concept of minimalism to work in your life, you can save money and enjoy more experiences (like travel!) instead of spending all your income on stuff you don’t really need.
1. Figure Out What Matters Most to You
For me, being able to travel to different cities and countries is one of my values. Being able to put aside money for traveling is more important to me than having the latest fashions or a nice car. Once you get clear about what matters most to you, you can begin to organize your life around it.
2. Live with a Roommate
You can cut your rent or mortgage in half by living with a roommate. Instead of paying all the household bills yourself, you can split the cost with someone else who’s also trying to save money! Check out websites like Craigslist.org and Roommates.com to find people who want to share living space in your city.
3. Get Rid of Your Stuff
Remember that the more stuff you have, the more space you need to hold it. The burden of storing your stuff can lead to paying for an apartment that’s too big (and too expensive) or fees to use a storage facility. Start by letting go of everything you haven’t used or worn in the last three months and go from there. The goal is to keep only the things you really need and love. The rest can be donated or sold.
4. Go Paperless
You don’t have to keep paper clutter around in boxes or filing cabinets. Today’s technology allows you to keep all your documents stored on your computer, portable hard drive or in a cloud-based storage system on the internet.  Start your transition to a paperless lifestyle by scanning your important documents into your computer or use Dropbox.com (I have the Pro plan) for cloud-based file storage.
Is it time for you to get free of some of YOUR stuff? What’s the first step you can take to start living with less?
Great tips Rosetta! Sometimes we think we NEED so much to have a great fulfilling life …only to discover that more doesn’t always mean a better quality of life. i think i didn’t understand the concept of living with less until two years ago when we packed our entire ‘lives’ into four suitcases and moved thousands of miles across the globe to start life from scratch. Love what you’ve said about experiences, that and meaningful relationships beats everything. Great thoughts!
Yup! I’m right there with ya sis. I find that the older I get, the less I am impressed with “stuff”. The more stuff you have the harder you have to work to maintain it. I’d rather work hard because I enjoy what I do, not because I have to pay the piper. Great post!
Its a true physical law – the larger space you have, the more stuff you try to fit into it. Stuff is suffocating me. Love “Value experience over stuff.”
Great video Rosetta and right on time for me. I had to smile when you talked about that 200.00/mo storage unit. I just emptied mine yesterday and I fought back the tears when I thought about how long I have been dragging this “stuff” around with me. Well, I cleaned out that storage unit yesterday – Phase One complete. Phase 2 will be getting rid of EVERYTHING. Phase 3 will be moving into a new/old house and starting 2014 on the road to a lesser load and a much lighter and happier life!
Congrats for getting rid of the burden of your storage unit. So great to hear about your continued progress on your goals 🙂
Great video! My minimalism journey began 11 months ago and my life is better because of it. Your first point is key, knowing what matters most in life. Thanks for sharing!
OMG – this video was so necessary for me right now. Point number one will continue to resonate in me – figure out what matters most! That is my assignment to myself tonight.
While I don’t want to live in a mobile home or be a nomad I definitely have too much stuff. What is important to me is being comfortable in my home and able to entertain. Right now I am neither. Time to downsize the amount of stuff I have.
Excellent post. I have been following several minimalist blogs for awhile now. The lifestyle just resonates with me but I have a long way to achieve it. I am a serious pack rat. I just realized what I value most – the ability to create. As a maker ( I run a craft based business) I need the time & space to create. My studio is seriously cluttered and I think it had been stifling my creative flow. Time for action!