3555: 10 Simple Minimalism Guidelines by Anthony Ongaro of Break The Twitch on Organizing and Decluttering

[00:00:00] Before we start, please check out our new podcast, Good Sleep. Have you ever noticed how a calm mind can really set the stage for a good night's sleep? That's the idea behind our new podcast, Good Sleep. Greg, our host from Optimal Relationships Daily, is here to help ease you into a peaceful night's rest with some positive affirmations. And these affirmations aren't just comforting, they can help ease anxiety and nurture positive thoughts, setting you up for true good sleep.

[00:00:25] So press play on Good Sleep tonight because a good tomorrow starts with a good night's sleep. Just search for Good Sleep in your podcast app and be sure to pick the one from Optimal Living Daily. It's a Minimalist Monday edition of Optimal Living Daily, 10 Simple Minimalism Guidelines by Anthony Ongaro of BreakTheTwitch.com. And I'm Justin Malik, your narrator, reading you blogs every single day of the year.

[00:00:51] Now we're gonna get right to our Minimalist Monday post as we optimize your life. 10 Simple Minimalism Guidelines by Anthony Ongaro of BreakTheTwitch.com. Whether you're new to minimalism or just starting to explore the topic, you've probably seen the white-walled, sparse, and minimalistic photos, and maybe even come across different minimalism guidelines.

[00:01:19] To many people, minimalism may seem overwhelming or too extreme, but that's simply not true. Based on what's worked best for my wife and me over the past few years of intentional living, I'd like to share some guiding principles on how to think about, approach, and practice minimalism. Here are 10 Simple Minimalism Guidelines. Number one, it doesn't need to cost any money.

[00:01:47] Minimalism, or the pursuit of a more minimal lifestyle, does not need to cost you anything. When you see photos of modern, minimalistic Scandinavian furniture, it can be tempting to want the same for your home, but that's the opposite point of minimalism. Embracing minimalism in your life doesn't mean buying new things that have a certain minimalistic aesthetic.

[00:02:09] The best way to get started is by decluttering the things in your home that are no longer adding value while continuing to use what you already have. Number two, the process is dynamic, not static. Minimalism isn't a one-time project. It may start small, but the impact, benefits, and what it looks like will build over time.

[00:02:34] While it may feel great to reach a certain point of decluttering that you feel good about, know that it may change over time. What minimalism looks like for you will change as your needs and lifestyle change. Number three, declutter first, organize second. This one's from my friend Joshua Becker over at Becoming Minimalist.

[00:02:56] Instead of spending more time organizing, save yourself the storage space, energy, and organizing work by getting rid of things first. Start with decluttering and then organize what remains. It's much easier to organize when you have fewer things. Number four, not letting things or the pursuit of things get in the way.

[00:03:18] One of the main guiding principles of minimalism is not letting the things or the pursuit of things get in the way of doing what truly matters to you. What this means is removing things you don't need and reducing the inflow of new things so you can focus your time and energy on the important stuff. Number five, no magical number of items. There's no number of items to strive for with minimalism.

[00:03:44] Obsessing over whether or not you have more than 100 items is just as bad as impulsively buying more than you need. In both instances, there's an overemphasis on the stuff. Don't worry about the number and view minimalism as a process of continuously letting go what you're ready to declutter. Number six, it's not about swapping experiences for things.

[00:04:09] There are quite a few studies that say experiences are better than things, but there are other studies that have come out saying that intentional purchases of both experiences and things are what makes you the happiest. It's not about swapping one impulsive behavior for another. It's about intentional choices overall. Number seven, detaching your sense of self-worth from things you own.

[00:04:35] An unexpected yet important side effect from minimalism is the self-confidence I've gained. As you declutter and consume less, you'll realize that your self-worth doesn't have anything to do with the brand of clothes you wear, what kind of car you drive, or what furniture you have. You'll realize that the things you own don't define you, which will make it easier when you start decluttering more expensive or sentimental items.

[00:05:02] Number eight, building your decision muscle. Especially if you're just starting out with minimalism, start small at the beginning. Tackle the easy stuff first and save the harder items for later. Use the decluttering process to build your decision muscle. As you make more and more decisions about what you want and don't want in your life, you'll get better at making intentional decisions. Building this muscle is what makes intentional living easier over time.

[00:05:30] Number nine, it's not about having an easier life. Minimalism isn't about living an easier life. It may be simple, but it's not easy. The purpose behind minimalism is about creating more space for doing more of what matters, learning different things, and tackling bigger challenges. Minimalism is a process of removing distractions so that you can make more meaningful contributions.

[00:05:58] And number 10, minimizing distractions of all types, including projects. Distractions take shape in all forms. We all know what it's like to have so many projects you don't even know where to start. Minimalism isn't just about the stuff. It can also be the projects, to-do lists, and responsibilities we take on. Minimizing distractions is removing the less essential projects so you have more attention and time to finish the ones that truly matter.

[00:06:27] By removing the project clutter, you're removing the distractions that prevent you from finishing anything at all. Hopefully, applying minimalism in your life seems more approachable with these simple minimalism guidelines. It's important to remember there is no right or wrong way to apply minimalism in your life. It's simply about removing distractions so that you can do more of what matters. You just listened to the post titled,

[00:06:57] 10 Simple Minimalism Guidelines, by Anthony Angaro of BreakTheTwitch.com, and I'll be right back with my commentary. This show is sponsored by Liquid IV. Staying properly hydrated isn't just about drinking water, it's about absorption. That's why I'm excited to tell you about Liquid IV. When I'm traveling, I always pack Liquid IV packets in my carry-on. My favorite is their strawberry flavor, but their new raspberry lemonade is amazing too. Just tear, pour into 16 ounces of water, and enjoy delicious hydration on the go.

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[00:09:23] It is always a little funny to me when the knee-jerk reaction to getting into minimalism is to go out and buy new stuff to match the aesthetic that many people think of when they hear the word minimalism. But like Anthony said, it pretty much defeats the point. Minimalism begins with removing distractions, as Anthony said, and that can be physical or otherwise. So I think it's important to remember that it's not necessarily about what's on your walls or especially what color your walls are and so on.

[00:09:53] So try to keep that in mind for this Minimalist Monday. Have a great start to your week and I'll see you tomorrow where your optimal life awaits.