Beginning the Journey

Many people feel dissatisfaction with their overspending and overaccumulation and want to make a change, but they don’t know what their approach to minimalism ought to be. 

That’s how I felt when I started my minimalism journey. Maybe you feel the same way. If you have spent your entire life chasing things that don’t matter, it could be difficult at first to recognize all the things that really do.

I want to encourage you to begin the process of minimizing anyway. I’m sure you have some excess possessions that you’ll want to get rid of no matter what. Start with those and let the process of minimizing help to inform your vision for your future. You’ll find yourself asking, What principles should be guiding what I keep and what I get rid of? You’ll clarify your goals and settle into a less-encumbered lifestyle at the same time.

For me, one of the things cluttering up my garage was a set of golf clubs. I rarely used them. As I began my minimalism journey, I asked myself, Will I really be playing golf much in the future? If not, was it worth keeping a set of clubs around? I decided golf was not a high priority of mine, so I got rid of the clubs. 

On the other hand, we also had a dining table large enough for eight, with place settings for the same number, and yet we had a family of only four. Should we get a smaller table and give away half of our place settings? In this case, Kim and I decided we should keep the large table and extra place settings. Having guests over was important to us. The value of hospitality shaped our specific practice of minimalism. 

Getting started on de-owning and decluttering will help you clarify your purpose and values. For example, it might become clearer to you that you want to spend less time on stuff so that you can spend more time with family and friends. Or once you start spending less money shopping, you may suddenly be freed up for a career change. 

The specifics are as unique as you are. You’ll find your way. Only you can do it, and you’ll catch sight of your destination once you’ve begun the journey. 

What is one possession you have that brings you joy? What does your joy tell you about yourself?