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Minimal Effort, Potentially Maximum Results
Scene: you’re eating an amazing meal at one of your favorite restaurants. You have five big bites left on your plate, but you’re so, so full! Should you save the rest of the food for tomorrow, OR, despite being very aware that you don’t need to eat those bites now, you indulge and clear your plate? With my current lifestyle, more times than not, I oftentimes clear the plate (and if it’s spicy garlic wings? No question!). While that is a prime example of in-the-moment satisfaction, sometimes it’s healthier for us to not overindulge in what we enjoy.
Minimalists understand this well.
A minimalist is, by loose definition, someone who strives to only use things that serve a purpose. Now — everything I own, I can confidently say sparks joy or has at one point in my life sparked joy, however I don’t necessarily need everything that I currently have. A good friend of mine began incorporating the minimalist lifestyle in her everyday life, and she has had THE most positive things to say about it!! She’s noticed that she has a happier mindset, she feels like she can think clearer and focus better, she spends less money, and one of the biggest takeaways, she’s not nearly as attached to the unimportant things, and now she says she better understands the benefit of quality over quantity.
2022 for me is about trying new things, and I welcome you to join me this week as I embark on a 7-day minimalism challenge for beginners!
1. Evaluate your current spending.
2. Declutter 10 items from your closet.
3. Create your perfect morning routine.
4. Outline your monthly income budget.
5. Empty out and declutter your junk drawer.
6. Unfollow and unsubscribe on social media.
7. Declutter your laptop and phone.
For a long time, I’ve made up excuses when it comes to the clutter in my life. And the truth is, sometimes we need to stop “trying” to do something, and just do it!
All of these bullets are extremely doable, and I’m so excited to begin! The best thing about this list is that each day, each one of these will take just 15 minutes of your time. Professional minimalists Joshua Fields and Ryan Nicodemus challenge their readers to stop trying, saying, “try not to use the word try for a week, or better yet make a conscious effort to not use the word, catch yourself when you slip, notice the difference.”
In the infamous words of Yoda, “Do, or do not. There is no try.” SO LET’S DO IT! Part II of the minimalist challenge will feature another week’s worth of new, easily doable challenges, so check back in on next week’s blog post!
