Although paring down your belongings may be essential to decluttering, doing so without considering the loss of your items can lead to regret. Your possessions have an impact on your overall well-being. If you ignore the effects of forfeiting them for the sake of minimalism, the intention to find inner peace is unlikely to be achieved. In fact, research shows that your feeling of loss is often felt more deeply than any positive emotion you experience from gains.
So, before you put on a Marie Kondo hat and start clearing your home, you should assess your situation. Ask yourself if your lifestyle will be able to sustain itself when you have fewer possessions. Sometimes, people get caught up in decluttering and might not realize that they are throwing away a valuable object, both intrinsically and sentimentally. Here are aspects of your life you can think about before putting anything else in the “donate” or “throw-away” pile:
Your Active Lifestyle
If you have activities you are passionate about, like sports, take a pause before you throw away your kits or your equipment. For instance, you should keep a pair of prized Nordica ski boots, especially if you use them now and then. It is a lot cheaper to own them rather than renting a pair whenever you need to. You will also be able to pick a design that you prefer- possibly something that matches the rest of your gear.
Converting into a minimalist way of life should not mean that you have to enter a life of discomfort. As a matter of fact, it is supposed to make you find tranquility. Being able to head out the door with everything you need can save you time and money rather than having to schedule a trip to the shop before an upcoming workout or event. Think carefully about what you can or cannot live without.
To do this, as you are paring down, try to imagine where or when the object may be helpful to you. If it seems like the item is used too infrequently or rarely, you might be better off without it.
On the other hand, if it is a possession you have a purpose for (at least annually), you should probably keep it. An excellent example of this is your stock of holiday decorations. If you find it taking up too much space, you can explore options for storage units. You can still have a minimalist lifestyle while holding on to essential belongings.
Work and Play
Before you start giving or selling any of your work clothes and party garments away, place them under careful consideration. You can start by asking yourself when you wore it last and if you like how it makes you feel. If you have not worn it in at least three years and find yourself unflattering in it, you are probably better off without it.
At the same time, you should consider how often your laundry gets done. Make sure that you have enough garments in your closet to clothe you in case it piles up. Otherwise, you might find yourself in an uncomfortable situation where you realize that you do not have enough clothes right before you head out for work, for example.
You must think about how your clothing is carried throughout the week. Having five sets of work clothes and at least two sets of casual or semi-formal attire should be enough to get you through. And as for shoes, that should be entirely up to you and how you feel about your footwear. They tend to take up a lot of space. But if you cannot part with your prized collection, maybe you are not prepared to go thoroughly minimalist. The same advice is applicable for other accessories.
Garments for Any Weather
Ensure that you have at least one pair of boots, a coat, and a proper hat if you live in an area where you need all of these. You will regret not owning a pair of boots when a flood occurs or a raincoat to protect you during difficult weather. Make sure that you are prepared for any season you will experience in the year.
Again, transforming your lifestyle into a minimalist one does not mean that you have to suffer. It just means that you will live with the bare minimum of what can keep you happy. This trend should remind everyone how crucial it is to avoid excess, and throwing away valuable things in your life is the exact opposite of that.
