For many users, the flagship Pixel is still a little out of their budget. That is, until the
Pixel 4a launches at a few hundred bucks cheaper. Although the price is more accessible, so are many of the best features. And with improved storage and performance, it may win over a few long-time Apple fans.
Most companies introduce the standard edition of a device and then the “pro” model later. Starting with the Pixel 3a, Google decided it was opposite day. Introducing the “a series.” They achieved this by stripping away some features for a more affordable price. However, you still get to enjoy most of the Pixel experience without spending more.
The Pixel 3a and 3aXL launched at around $400, meaning a similar price for 4a. And, given the 3a’s improved camera and storage, we will likely get much of the same from the 4a.
Unfortunately, the Google I/O 2020 is still canceled, so we won’t know for a while. Thankfully, we should know more within the next month or so.
Probably the most significant difference in models is that the Pixel 4a loses motion support. The Soli radar, responsible for the phone’s motion detection, is a sizeable consumer expense. To keep the smartphone’s costs low, the radar’s got to go. That also means you won’t get to try out the facial recognition system, either.
You will, however, have a dedicated finger scan port on the back. It’s nice to see it get used more effectively with the smaller frame.
Although the Pixel 4a will have a smaller screen, it utilizes it better. Smaller bevels eliminate more wasted space, making for a more efficient display area. Even at an estimated 5.8”, it will feel like a compact phone. And with the punch hole camera design, you will do more with less room.
As other companies are adding more lenses, Google is taking them away. Whereas competitors would have an array of three to four lenses, you will have one.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and it will help keep costs lower. It’s unknown how that will affect the camera experience without added depth capturing.
Although Google has taketh away your lenses, it will allow you to keep your headphones. With a top-mounted jack, it’s refreshing to know that not everyone is going wireless.
Below, you will see a USB-C port as well, albeit less shocking. Again, though, the focus seems to stay on speed and function over features.
Par for the course, we should see a high-performing phone at about $400. The phone features UFS 2.1 digital storage via a 64GB SK Hynix chip.
Even as a mid-range product, you should still see 6 GB of RAM. With supped-up components and less hardware, the phone should perform well each time.
With any luck, the battery will get improved as well. Chances are, we’ll see at least 3,000 mAh packs for extended daily use.
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Few details have gotten leaked so far about the changes coming to the iPhone 12. And while that means tons of speculation, it does offer hope for a better UX among other features which many Apple devotees are looking forward to.
Suggested upgrades could mean a faster, more stable experience from top to bottom. And with a renewed focus on peripherals, the iPhone 12 may lead to something more.
Do your photos always seem shaky, even with every auto feature applied? Apple is working on fixing this all-too-common issue.
Sensor-shift image stabilization is likely arriving via an improved ultra-wide lens. Even when not in use, it is likely to help in defining image depth and clarity. While that doesn’t help now, it’s a welcomed change to look forward to later. Unfortunately, it won’t improve the UX in Periscope. The app is still not announcing a zoom function, which may be years off. By then, who knows if you will even want to continue to use Periscope.
Although the name isn’t wholly original, it makes sense to hear this rumor. Apple could introduce a bundled service, Apple Prime, to consolidate its entertainment platforms.
The proposed bundle would likely tie together Apple TV, Apple Music, and Apple News Plus. And with the suggested peripheral upgrades below, it could make relaxing even easier. Not only would users bundle their services, but likely have broader device options. Maybe we will see cross-room streaming and audio possibilities as well.
That could improve at-home video meetings or long-distance movie nights. And with AR headsets scheduled for 2022, this could be a steppingstone.
The Apple Watch Series 6 has many rumored upgrades that are likely to come to fruition. The usual harder, better, faster, stronger approach is expected, such as improved water resistance.
However, it’s the speed improvements suggested for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that hides more. It would make sense to see a Pro edition with 5G capabilities.
And, to further add fuel to the fire, the iPad Pro is also 5G capable. Combined with Apple Prime, that would lead to cross-room streaming options that hopefully exist.
That offers tons of possibilities when connected to the iPhone 12. From entertainment to health, it seems the true upgrade this round is improving communication.
Honestly, the biggest surprise of the iPhone 12 launch is if it used a different name. Although that’s a significant change of course, it would make sense. We had iPhones numbered 3 through 8, and then X. Now, we have the iPhone 11, a return to the former scheme.
However, the less-rounded corners do mimic much of the X’s design. Apple may be building off it with a dedicated line of phones. Will we get a different name or stick with the numbers? Perhaps they’ll play things safe and instead go with “12”. Or, maybe we will see something altogether different by September.
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Although Google I/O is canceled, rumors of the Pixel 5 are still appearing. Even with other products launching soon, October could hold more surprises.
It makes sense that a new flagship line would have debuted alongside other releases. And it feasibly could have happened, with coronavirus-less circumstances.
The next trend by smartphone companies seems to be reverse wireless charging. And while the Pixel 5 wouldn’t be the first, it would be in the series.
No formal announcements have gotten made, but Android 11 Developer Preview does introduce Battery Share. The feature states it will power “compatible ear buds, watches, phones, and more.”
If this option is available, it makes sense to release a Pixel that uses it. And with other peripherals on the way, it seems likely.
Everyone’s flagships are making the change to 5G options, except for Google. The Pixel 4a won’t have enough room or power for it, ruling it out. The Pixel 4 XL could feasibly offer it or have a standalone model. Or, that could stay reserved for the alleged Pixel 5 instead?
Unfortunately, that could mean a weaker processor chip to shave off costs. However, that also means better connectivity as a trade-off with an already decent system.
Should 5G rumors pan out, a cheaper chipset offers a more affordable price. It’s possible a Pixel 5 launch then, proves more accessible than 4 and XL models.
That also means having to give up some key features and upgrades. And as the Pixel 4a forgoes motion support, the 5 also would, too.
It also makes sense that Google is trying to extend battery life without larger packs. Cutting down on processing power would drain less juice over time.
The Pixel 4 seems to lack way more lenses than the competition. Releasing another flagship could fill the gap.
Even a secondary lens for depth would capture the image quality Google is known for having. Or, if costs allow, we could see even more.
Either way, you will likely still have the front-facing and at least one rear camera. And hopefully, they have learned lessons from the 4’s white balance issues.
Leaked photos suggest a Pixel 5 would keep the thicker display bevels. As more competing products ditch them, it must mean they serve a function.
A fuller front camera bevel makes Face Unlock likely. And if it ditches Motion Sense requirements, it’s a welcome addition.
There are no hints at a return to a fingerprint scan button, either. Without Face Unlock, users have surprisingly few security options to implement.
Another battlefield for smartphone companies is display refresh rates. So far, Google seems to maintain 90 Hz as standard.
That would easily happen with a supposed Snapdragon 5G chipset. Or, we may find an even higher rate somehow.
As with other rumors, the cost is the most significant factor here. Hopefully, we’ll learn more before October arrives.
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While Google wisely offers a scaled-down Pixel 4a, it isn’t sacrificing too much. In fact, it has brought back two options ditched with the third edition. And while it uses a smaller body, it still packs a punch.
It’s a little shocking to see only one lens on the rear. Compared to the original Pixel 4, you’re losing three additional cameras. That isn’t to say you can’t take stunning photos anyways. Previous Google devices have earned high praise for their camera features. However, as competitors get to adding more lenses and features, it’s an odd direction for Google to go in.
Besides, if you strip away features, wouldn’t you make up for it in selfies? At least you still have the front-facing lens to look forward to now.
The Pixel 4’s best feature is also its most absent with the “a” model. While it’s obvious as to why you won’t have any 3-D facial recognition, it’s currently unclear if we will see any similar options. Perhaps we’ll have merely the fingerprint scanner. Thankfully, that is stuck on the rear of the phone, freeing up more display space.
And with a decrease in camera lenses, it’s challenging to know what options will stay. At least these sacrifices got made for supposed better speed and performance. And at the end of the day, if you’re going for function of flash; this is an expected direction.
Some rumors are harder to disprove than others. While not likely, there is the possibility of not seeing a Pixel 4 XL. Keep in mind, that’s a rumor right now and is not confirmed. We do know that there are at least two different models planned. That can mean that we may see three Pixel 4a’s, possibly 5G capable.
Even if only one has the chipset, it’s still an interesting addition. And it could lead to a permanent axing of future XL phones as well. Stay tuned to see how this one develops because we’re all ears.
Pinning down its 5G capabilities is even harder with the logged chips getting used. With three possible prototypes, we still can’t tell what Google is thinking. Then again, do we ever?
In any case, the Pixel 4a will feature faster performance and improved storage. What it lacks in hardware should get made up for with what’s under the hood.
Google has run both the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 and 765, fanning the flames. Perhaps all Pixel 4a’s are 5G capable, or just one.
The entire approach of the Pixel a series is to keep costs lower. And due to what we can expect to see scrapped, the price should seem reasonable to most consumers.
The Pixel 3a sold for under $400, and it no longer seems available. It would make sense that the 4a will take over the price point. Even if the phone costs a little more than that, it likely won’t launch over $500. If it does, it starts defeating the purpose of a mid-range Google product.
We may see a steeper price if the Pixel 4 XL disappears. However, with a plastic body and fewer hardware options, it shouldn’t feel too expensive for most.
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One of the bigger minimalist steps you’re going to take is your wardrobe. This can be an intimidating step since if you’re new to minimalism you may not know exactly how you’re supposed to be dressing.
The first step is to ask the right question. You’re not supposed to be dressed in any particular way. In fact, a minimalist wardrobe can be almost anything you’d like it to be. The focus isn’t so much on a particular style or color. If you gravitate towards bold, bright colors and patterns, then build your wardrobe around that. You can be minimalist without being boring!
Not sure where to start? Here’s a few ideas for you.
One rule of minimalist fashion which you do have to follow is decluttering your wardrobe. We’ve all been guilty of acquiring too much stuff over the years and your wardrobe is no different. Start emptying your drawers, dressers, and closets.
Now, how many of these articles of clothing do you actually wear with any regularity? Yeah, probably not many. And that’s okay. It’s easy to fall into collecting clothing items over the years. But now we’re going to do something about it.
Divide everything into at least two piles: yes and no. Everything in the “no” pile should be donated or discarded. Everything in the “yes” pile can go back into the closet. Everything in the “maybe” pile we know you decided to start can be kept… for now.
While there’s no set number of outfits you must own with minimalism, the focus IS on simplicity and functionality. Start matching your shirts, pants, dresses, etc to form easily definable outfits that you can switch between as needed.
Odds are good you already have a lot of the items you need. Start by putting together your outfits. Shoot for somewhere between 20-40 total items, including pants, shirts, shoes, etc. With that, you can start to construct around 4-5 separate outfits. Then, feel free to mix and match them to create alternative outfits.
Minimalism isn’t about throwing everything away and buying a whole new wardrobe. It’s also not about being Steve Jobs and only wearing jeans and black turtlenecks all day long. Sure, many minimalists like to dress in a “uniform” of sorts; a unique look indicative of your personality. Many people find comfort in defining their “uniform” and playing their outfits around that specific look. However, none of this is required, though it is a particular brand of minimalism that some practitioners embrace.
In short, you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe. Some of that might defeat the purpose of going minimal. Remember, the point is to avoid clutter and excess, not add to it. However, if you wish to donate everything and start from scratch, that’s okay too.
Here’s the thing: adopting a minimalist wardrobe doesn’t mean “going bland” with your outfits. If your style and personality is drawn to bright colors or flashy patterns, guess what? That’s your style. Minimalism doesn’t mean toned down or boring. You can be as expressive as you’d like with patterns, colors, or styles. While it’s true that many minimalist practitioners will “tone it down” with their clothing, you don’t have to be cut from the same cloth.
Feel free to be expressive with your wardrobe. Just keep it manageable.
At the same time, don’t be afraid to experiment with the “less is more” approach of toning down or “going minimal” on jewelry, accessories, or flair. Experiment with silhouettes, neutral or basic hues, and clothing that is functional over flashy.
One of the hallmarks of minimalist dressing is breaking away from the desire to jump on popular fashion trends and expensive brands. Instead, prioritize functionality and versatility. You’ll save time and money in the process while building out a wardrobe that is both stylish as well as practical.
There is more than one way to dress like a minimalist. However you choose to define your own particular take on minimalist dressing, just make sure you are simplifying your style and decluttering your life as much as your wardrobe.
For more pointed outfit tips, check out these articles:
]]>One area that seems challenging for most seeking a minimalist lifestyle is a person’s closet and clothing items. Does doing more with less mean that you can’t enjoy fashion, or that you must throw out your favourite things?
Thankfully, it does not! Many think of minimalist fashion as a lot of bland colors and patterns. Perhaps a barren wardrobe full of few items and no variety. Sure, you can go this route if you really want to. But why? You can still enjoy living life as a minimalist, even with a fully stocked wardrobe. By following these fashion basics, you can enjoy a daily appearance that suits you without getting bogged down in accessories, clutter, or excess.
Before you bag up your entire closet, you can utilize items better. See how well your clothes work with these hints.
While the goal might be to reduce your daily outfit’s pieces, you don’t have to make do with fewer clothes. Instead, many self-proclaimed minimalists wind up having the most clothing items, which get mixed, matched, and accessorized virtually every day.
Begin with narrowing down which pieces you must buy, like a good pair of jeans, sneakers, and shirts. Then continue adding in other things you can’t live without, like dress clothing, neckties, belts, and other daily-use items.
You will soon see that you don’t always have to run out of hangars to have something to wear. And conversely, minimalism does allow room for you to grow your collection at whatever pace suits you the most.
It can feel nearly impossible to pass up a good deal on an otherwise expensive outfit at a department store. However, consider the versatility of the item you’re considering. The goal of minimalistic dressing isn’t about restricting what you wear, but rather, optimizing them for more uses.
We’re going for versatility with our items. If certain articles of clothing aren’t particularly fitting when it comes to a wider variety of situations, it makes it that much more challenging to justify their upfront costs.
Some minimalists enjoy having “a uniform.” That is, a distinct look that’s uniquely theirs. Think Steve Jobs and his trademark jeans and black turtleneck. Distinctly “him” but versatile enough to wear in a variety of situations.
Ditch the *actual* uniforms that have little, to no versatility. Try and wear each outfit you create both together, as well as separated with other items, to make them more cost-effective. Plus, by introducing them to different outfits, you may find an even better look than what you initially bought.
What belongings can get worn with nearly anything else in your closet, and what things have stricter fashion requirements? By knowing what clothing items get the most daily use, you can budget your shopping more effectively.
Rather than purchasing more accessories, you don’t need, locate daily wear items that they can complement better. Cut down on accessories overall and only retain the ones you *actually* use with any regularity. Sunglasses, wallet, watch, etc. By skipping things you don’t plan on wearing very often, as well as reducing your accessories, you can avoid higher costs as well as clutter.
You don’t have to focus all your cash on one outfit that will break the bank and offers limited use. When you shop smarter, you can quickly expand your wardrobe without spending as much on singular outfits.
When you shop around a particular color palette, it can allow you to utilize fewer pieces in many different ways. Whether you prefer to find your favorite colors or dress with the seasons, you can find a variety of combinations.
Start with either neutral tones, or stick to a combination of dark blues, whites, grays, and other hues. By wearing different items together, your friends, family, and coworkers might not even realize you wore them earlier this week.
Whether you’re a winter, or you like to change with the weather, you can get lots of use this way. Dark denim works well as either a casual or more dressed up look. A good pair of brown shoes can also either dress up or down an outfit, depending upon the occasion.
You don’t have to be a model to look like you’re about to walk down the runway. By focusing on your best features, or leaning into colors that compliment you best, you can look better with less.
Some silhouettes work better with specific shapes, patterns, and colors, while others should work with their complexion and facial features. From shirt collars to belts and accessories, you have a lot to play around with to find the right combination.
Whether you have a prominent jawline or a fuller waist, you can find which shirts, pants, and shoes work ideally. And when you improve your overall appearance, you can anticipate a boost to your self-esteem as well.
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Living a minimalist lifestyle isn’t about living a life devoid of possessions. Quite the contrary. It’s about living a life of purposeful possessions. Let’s face it. It’s far too easy to accumulate “stuff” these days. When you make the choice to “go minimal,” you make the decision to be more mindful and purposeful with the “stuff” you do choose to hold on to.
Leading a minimalist lifestyle is a matter of personal choices, preferences, and values. The things which minimalists are drawn to are rarely the same. In the end, it’s about what you need rather than what you really kind of want.
All that said, here are 5 home essentials that most minimalists can agree are necessary. Though your style may vary!
You might not be accumulating a bunch of “stuff” but you will want a place to hold the stuff you do have. Minimalists generally agree that storage is an important part of building your minimalist dream pad. We also recommend vertical storage which maximizes your space by occupying a smaller footprint in your home. As an added bonus, vertical storage solutions can help give your place the appearance of being larger as taller fixtures draw your eyes upward which gives the impression of expanse.
Floating storage options such as shelving can also help maximize your space without cluttering the room.
Minimalism comes in many forms, but one thing most practitioners would agree on is that storage solutions are key!
One of the quintessential ingredients in any home; emergency supplies should never take a backseat to your lifestyle. From first aid kits to fire extinguishers, keep in mind that cutting down on “stuff” doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind.
That doesn’t mean you need to clutter your space with emergency rations. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure you have at least a simple first aid kit and fire extinguisher just in case!
Let’s face it, even minimalists need to be “plugged in.” And while wireless charging solutions do exist for many devices, unfortunately, we’re not able to be 100% cordless in our society just yet. From cell phone chargers to tablets; smart tv's and smart devices. Sometimes we just need a little power.
Most importantly, however, is keeping it simple. Opt for cordless solutions whenever possible, and minimize or manage cords whenever possible.
Just because you’re going minimal doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the kitchen. In fact, the kitchen tends to be where some minimalists feel free to splurge a little. The great thing about a crock-pot or slow cooker is how versatile it is. From ribs to soup, if you’ve got a little time and the right ingredients, a slow cooker can be the gateway to a number of culinary delights.
Best of all, you can cut down on all the other pots, pans, dishes, and trays cluttering up the cupboards while still enjoying awesome, tasty, dishes.
Need a workshop? Probably not. Let’s face it, it’s easy to accumulate a small fortune’s worth of hammers, nails, screws, and more. In fact, we probably all have a drawer or a closet somewhere that houses all our “around the housework” stuff. It can get out of control, but that’s no reason not to have a few essentials handy.
Having a small toolkit is essential to tackling the inevitable around the house projects that will pop up. And by keeping it all localized in one little kit, you can resist the urge to splurge on big expensive items or unnecessary accessories.
Your minimalist home can be and look like anything you want! The one unifying principle is that you reduce waste, cut down on excess, and live (and decorate) more purposefully. However, this doesn’t mean you need to cut out the things you love!
Whether it’s a model airplane, a piece of art, or a prized piece of memorabilia; make sure your functional space is fashionable as well! Stock and decorate your space with pieces of sentiment and meaning, personal to your own unique personality.
In the end, minimalism is about doing and surrounding yourself with an intentional purpose! If it means something to you, celebrate it!
]]>Minimalists aren’t opposed to spending money. However, we are generally against spending too much of it without a darn good reason. To live within the minimalist lifestyle is to generally eschew excess and waste. This doesn’t mean you can never go on vacation (and more on minimalist travel can be found HERE), and it doesn’t mean that spending a little money here or there is necessarily a problem.
Rather, minimalists prioritize experiential activities. What does that mean? It means what matters more is the experience itself and the enjoyment of it. To that end, minimalists are true “in the moment” folks who strive for positive, enriching experiences rather than luxuriously high price-tag events.
With that in mind, whether you’re a hardcore minimalist or just looking to inject a little simple pleasure and enjoyment into your life, here are five things you can do for fun within one hour of home that won’t break the bank.
It sounds trite, but especially in today’s fast-paced, online, plugged-in world, a simple picnic can be an enriching and enjoyable experience. Pack a lunch, jump in the car, and head to a national park, a sunny meadow, the beach, or anywhere you’d like!
Combine your picnic with a mystery road trip for double the experience. Simply pack the card, point it in a direction and let the road take you. Explore new towns, find a hidden lake, or explore a secluded beach. Half the fun is not knowing where you’ll wind up, but enjoying the time it takes to get there.
Grab your significant other and just spend some time enjoying each other’s company for a change.
While they’re more plentiful in the south and the midwestern United States, antique malls can be found anywhere and can be a real treat. These behemoth buildings usually house dozens, if not hundreds of vendor stalls with everything from antique furniture to collectors items, clothing, odds and ends, old books, and more.
If you’re unfamiliar, antique malls are like 1,000 antique stores in one building. You’ll see a diverse array of items all in one place. Glimpse a bit of the past, maybe buy something unique, or treat it like a trip to the museum and see a few things you’ve never seen before.
And speaking of museums….
Not only do most museums offer affordable entry rates, many are actually free of charge! Museuming is something of a lost art these days but there’s a lot out there to enjoy and explore. There are, of course, your well-known art and history museums to explore; however, why stop there?
Across the country, museums dedicated to everything from food and music to oddities and architecture can be found. Try a few of these offbeat attractions and see something different for a change.
Everyone holds out for the big parades and fairs; but did you know there are dozens going on each month? Smaller towns or cities have their own history and culture that they celebrate. This can include fairs, festivals, parades, and more. Do a local search and find out what’s going on in your town or area and make plans to take a road trip to see what it’s all about.
The great outdoors has always offered the opportunity for peaceful tranquility in an undisturbed setting. Whether it’s bird watching, hiking, fishing, foraging, or any of the combination of the above; camping offers a great opportunity to connect or reconnect with mother nature.
Pack a tent and a few supplies and spend a night or weekend under the stars. Build a campfire,
play some songs, gaze at the night sky, and more. All it takes is a short car ride away from the hustle and bustle of city life to find yourself in more peaceful surroundings.
Nature also provides an ideal setting for practicing meditation and other mindfulness exercises. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better locale.
At its heart, minimalism isn’t really about how much money you spend or how much effort you put into an activity or getaway. What matters most is the experience and the joy the activity brings you. While a little money may need to be spent for some of the above activities, you can generally go minimal on expense without compromising on the enjoyment.
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Who wouldn’t want to see household names performing with other famous musical acts at one of the world's biggest annual festivals? Unfortunately, not everyone finds the time, or the hundreds of dollars needed, to enjoy Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and other events.
However, you can still get your fix for live tunes and positive vibes without breaking the bank. Here’s some ideas for not only alternatives to the biggest festivals; but alternatives to how you think about the biggest festivals as well!
What do you get out of attending? Some people enjoy the raw, live energy; while others just like being in a crowd among fans. However, basing an entire luxury vacation around one aspect of the event could be costing you more in the end.
If you like crowds, you can enjoy plenty of them in theme parks, comic conventions, parades, and other events. Or, if you prefer the music aspect, seek out more intimate venues that don’t cost a ton to get in.
Sure, the A-list acts are what you’re after, but choosing local shows remains more affordable and convenient. And while they may be relatively unknown now, that doesn’t mean that they won’t make it big later.
Find out what shows are getting hosted by local radio stations, colleges, and universities, or outdoor parks and amphitheaters. You may discover a new favorite band, all without spending a fortune on concert tickets and lodging.
Nearly every theme park, from local brands to international companies, have learned to tap into music fans for annual events. Everyone from your mom and pop parks to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, schedule at least one entertainment festival.
You likely won’t be able to see everyone scheduled to appear throughout the month of the event. However, you can see some of your favorite acts in between enjoying thrill rides without much of an upcharge.
While it may sound obvious, look up local events online for any you may have otherwise missed not known. Social media consistently updates on new performances, even if it isn’t on your preferred networks or platforms.
Take MySpace, for instance, which isn’t as dead as you think it is, which now serves as an online entertainment hub. Facebook makes it simple to find acts you enjoy, as well as future events already in the works.
Imitation remains the highest form of flattery, and some knock-off acts perform every bit as good as the original. And even if they don’t, the venues they play often have decent drink specials, making them sound better eventually.
You aren’t just watching your favorite doppelgangers but reliving the magic of a performance by the Real McCoy. While other acts remain known for near-perfect renditions, read some reviews before committing to an evening out.
Okay, so you still want the Coachella experience without spending a cool grand on admission. Believe it or not, you can find a variety of similar experiences at lower costs.
BottleRock Napa Valley can get enjoyed for as little as $99 per day, as well as an affordable three-day pass. Or, let your admission go to a good cause at the annual Basilica Block Party, maintaining its namesake cathedral.
You may have purchased tickets to see Ariana Grande, but that also means sitting through a dozen other acts. And when you haven’t heard of most of the others, it makes you question why you paid full price.
Instead, stay connected with musicians you care about most and attempt to see them when they tour your town. It may prove more affordable than a three-day event, and you cut down on travel expenses.
At the end of the day, the question is all about what experiences matter most to you. Determine what your values are and what will enrich your life the most. You may come to find that it doesn’t include dropping a few thousand dollars on the world’s biggest music festival.
Whether you’re part of the organic movement or just want to save some money; making your own household products is much easier than you might think. From shampoo and soap to beard oil and candles, making your own products is as much as a hobby as it is a way of life.
Many practitioners of the minimalist lifestyle embrace the opportunity to create their own clothing, furniture, household products, and more. What’s more, you don’t need a degree in chemistry or woodworking to be successful.
There are numerous benefits to creating your own products. If you’re still not convinced, here’s a few things to consider.
You will of course have some shopping to do no matter what you’re choosing to make. Raw ingredients for soaps, shampoos, or toothpaste may cost a little bit more than just picking up a bottle at the local pharmacy. However, you’ll also be able to make far more than a normal tube or tub you’d purchase. In the not-so-long run, you’ll save money by creating your own.
Though this is not the point of this particular article, many DIY-ers have created successful side businesses by making their own soaps, candles, or beauty products and selling them within their community. Local farmer’s markets, swap meets, or even online via Etsy (or similar sites) can be a great outlet.
You don’t have to go this route, of course. However, if you find you have a knack for making your own, there’s nothing wrong with starting a little side gig in the process. Who knows where it might lead?
A homemade gift is always a special, thoughtful idea. Creating something with your own hands as opposed to buying something at the store takes an extra step of thoughtfulness, creativity, and initiative. Plus, your mom will love it.
Millions of people worldwide embrace the opportunity to make their own products. From pomade to toothpaste, you don’t have to look very far to find individuals who enjoy the simple things in life, including a nice homemade soap.
Depending on what it is you’re making, your mileage may vary. However, making your own toothpaste, for example, requires only a handful of household ingredients. You may have some of these items on hand already and you can whip up a batch of toothpaste in just a few minutes. Making your own soap can be a more involved process but is likewise relatively easy to do in just a short amount of time.
Let’s face it, most of us these days don’t know how to make anything. We look at a tube of toothpaste, for example, and don’t feel as though we could make that product from scratch if our life depended on it. We’re thankful that we live in a time where it doesn’t.
There is, however, a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from creating a useful product that you and your family can use on a regular basis. Our ancestors were adept at creating their own food, medicine, shelter, and more. Surely we can reconnect in a small way with a little jar of toothpaste.
Waste reduction is at the heart of the minimalist movement. When creating your own products, you help contribute to an overall effort at reducing waste. Think of the pounds upon pounds of paper or plastic packaging you aren’t creating and wasting just from, for example, toothpaste tubes alone.
From a global perspective, the impact of less waste is obvious. From a personal view, you’re also reducing your own consumption and waste. Creating your own soap or toothpaste means you are in the driver’s seat of the products you are consuming. There’s no need to experiment with different brands, flavors, scents, etc.
You create a product that you want to consume. There’s no need to go out and keep buying new ones. You’ll save time, save money, reduce waste and consumption, declutter your life and bathroom, and oh by the way; you’ll receive the satisfaction of deftly creating the perfect product that you want for you and your family.
Where’s the downside?
]]>Even minimalists love to travel. In fact, striking out in search of new and enriching experiences is a common thread among many minimalist practitioners. What does vary, however, is how we pack for the trip!
Traveling as a minimalist can range from packing light to going sans luggage altogether. What works best for you? Well, it likely depends on where you’re going and what you plan on doing.
Traveling light starts with a mindset. Where are you going? What are you doing? And, perhaps most importantly, how much do you really need? It’s important, with packing as with life, to separate the “I want” from the “I need.”
If you plan on attending fancy dinners every night of your trip, you’ll want to pack that dinner jacket or a few dresses. If this isn’t on the menu, these items can be left at home. If you plan on spending the bulk of your time lazing around at the beach, ask yourself how much do you really need to pack in order to enjoy that?
We all have a tendency to overpack. After all, we might need something! When it comes to some items, it may be better to have it than not need it; but this doesn’t need to extend to five pairs of shoes and three backup toothbrushes.
Consider your trip, your plans, and your activities. And realize that less is often more.
Some travelers can get by with a small carry-on bag containing a change of clothes and a few essential items such as health and hygiene products. Of course, it all depends on where you’re going and what you plan on doing. However, a helpful way to tell what you may or may not need is to make a list.
And of course, you must pack the essentials. Feel free to make an additional list.
You will find with a little thought and planning ahead, the above items and a change of clothes are really all you may need to take for a short trip. Of course, any longer and you’ll want to bring a few more clothing items as well. However, when it comes down to it, you’ve probably been overpacking all this time!
Now that you’ve got a few tips to consider, it’s time to pack! So, what to pack? Again, it depends greatly on what you’re doing and where you’re going as well as how long you’ll be away. However, as a basic guide, consider the following plan:
Some of these items, such as a jacket, you may be wearing to travel which means you don’t have to pack it! Any specialty items such as a bathing suit should be included as well. Other than that, you may find that the above list is all you truly need for a lowkey, lightly packed trip without the hassle or fuss!
]]>When we talk about minimalism, it’s often in the context of downsizing your life. Getting rid of old clothes, reducing waste, casting off clutter, etc. However, there’s another BIG part of your life that you can downsize: your living space.
It’s definitely easier to donate a few bags of clothing and clear out those closets than to find a new place to live. However, if you’re on board with downsizing your life (and who isn’t?), downsizing your living space is a logical step.
We’re not going to lie. This one requires some heavy lifting. You have to find a new place, make plans to move, get your finances in order, etc. So yeah, it’s not the same thing as taking a few garbage bags of clothing down to the local shelter. However, it can be an important and freeing step in your minimalism journey.
Let’s take a walk through downsizing your living space.
Have you ever walked into an empty, unfurnished apartment or home? Even the small rooms seem huge. Why then, do we always fall into the same old routine of cluttering them up with unnecessary furniture, furnishings, and let’s be honest: junk?
It’s easy to do. And before you know it, you’ve got a bunch of clutter in those perfectly sized spaces. The truth is that many of us simply don’t need all the space that we have but we feel compelled to fill it.
If you downsize your home, you’ll have less space. That’s true. But you’re also a lot less likely to stock up on unnecessary items if space is at a premium. You’re less likely to clutter your space, and more apt to be selective with your furniture and decor.
And here’s the thing to really, really consider. Stop for a moment and really think about this question: How much space do you really need? If you really think about it, the answer is probably a lot less than you have right now.
Downsizing your home; whether moving into a smaller apartment or selling your house in favor of smaller accommodations, is a big step. However, it can also be a smart financial decision. In most circumstances, the size of any space has a direct impact on the cost (rent, mortgage, etc). And as you well know, smaller usually equals less expensive.
Simply downsizing a few hundred square feet can save you an extra $100 or more in rent each month. Now ask yourself again how much space do you really need?
Whether or not downsizing your living space is the right move is up to you. However, if you think it over and truly do find that you don’t need all the space you currently have, it may be time to think about other options.
You don’t need to make a drastic move, however. There’s no need to go from a 5,000 square foot home to a 300 square foot studio unless that truly makes sense for you to do. It probably doesn’t. However, if you have a 2-bedroom apartment when a one bedroom will do just fine, consider making that switch. You’ll save space, money, and more.
Start searching the local real estate listings and go online to see what’s available in your area.
We’re not gonna lie, downsizing your space is a big step. It’s not as easy as just de-cluttering the kitchen. It takes time, planning, and a little bit of money too if you’re making a big move. It’s important to make sure you’re doing this for the right reasons and not just because a blog on the internet told you “hey, this is a good idea!”
Ask yourself the following:
Minimalism is a fine thing. But it isn’t just about “getting rid of stuff” or “living with less.” Properly understood, these are aspects of minimalism which are aimed at enriching your life, helping you to live with less clutter and indecision.
Picking up and moving to a smaller house can be a very rewarding experience on your minimalism journey. However, it may not be for everyone so be sure to thoroughly explore and weigh your options before taking the plunge.
Remember, downsizing your home isn’t about just moving to a smaller space. It’s about finding a living space that works best for you and your lifestyle without excess space or clutter.
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While clutter stacks up quickly on kitchen counters and in bedrooms, the bathroom often stays the most cramped of all our living spaces. Not only are these rooms usually smaller than the rest, but many people stuff them full of bottles, accessories, and assorted “stuff” that we accumulate throughout the months and years.
From used-up product containers to cluttered countertops, bathrooms have a tendency to stay messy even when they’re clean. Minimalism creates efficient washrooms that feel more open.
Whether you seem to collect medicine bottles or have lots of hair products, everyone needs help making their bathrooms functional. Follow these tips to eliminate mounding medicine cabinets and counters full of clutter for improved minimalism in the bathroom.
Take everything currently stored in the bathroom and empty it out. Take note of how many items you have. If this already sounds like a lot of work, that’s probably a good indication your bathroom is far too cluttered as it is!
Combine any duplicate products that you can, and toss out any bottles that have maybe one more squirt left inside. If you have any expired over-the-counter medication, go ahead and throw them away.
Once you have a list of things that must stay and those that can’t, you can begin scaling back. Remember, though, it’s not about what you don’t have in your bathroom but using the area more efficiently.
While it’s certainly more convenient to leave your hairdryer on the bathroom counter, you probably don’t need it living there. In general, unless you find yourself using items every day when getting ready for work, you can likely keep it elsewhere.
Keep the counters visible and try to have containers and holders for toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton balls, and others. Not only will this eliminate more of your daily clutter, but it gives your bathroom a cleaner appearance as well.
If you only use products once in a blue moon, it doesn’t need to live in your bathroom. You may even discover that the lighting wasn’t as good as you had thought it was for doing your makeup.
How much of your vanity cabinet space goes wasted because you crammed hairdryers, product boxes, and other loose items inside? Purchasing new storage containers helps you stay organized, and you don’t always need to buy plastic bins for your thing.
You can find a variety of attractive storage options, from updated vanities to over-commode shelving, modern medicine cabinets, and others. Your new containers not only keep your bathroom counters better organized but enhances the washroom’s appearance as well.
Or, recycle old glass containers for a Do It Yourself approach when you can’t find items that match your décor. You may even find that they suit your design tastes better than anything you see at the store.
While this tip is more about staying sanitary, it does help you keep your bathroom clear of clutter also. You need to see the surfaces to make sure they’re spotless so cleaning frequently forces you to keep counters clear.
During your weekly cleaning process, you can quickly take inventory and reevaluate whether they belong there or it needs relocating. And when your bathroom stays cleaner, it also appears lighter, brighter, and even a bit larger in the end.
Cleaning your bathroom also prevents stains from forming, which only make your fixtures look older and worse for wear. For a pristine brighter washroom, you must keep your faucets, glass, and porcelain sparkling week after week.
Some people have counters lined with old hand towels, taking up space and trapping bacteria and germs. Not only does it chew up more of your bathroom’s free space this way, but they aren’t drying as efficiently.
Utilizing linen hooks and other hardware proves the ideal choice, especially when your bathroom doesn’t have a linen closet. Best of all, hooks don’t take up as much room on the walls as towel bars, making for minimalistic designs.
If possible, you can even install these on surfaces like behind doors to free up even more usable living space. By avoiding the usual spots like the wall, counters, or towel bars, it makes your bathroom appear more streamlined.
]]>On your minimalism journey, one of the things you’ll start to take notice of is waste. Living in a privileged society, we often take for granted how nearly everything we buy is processed, packaged, and presented to us in as enticing a way as possible.
Soap is one such product. You have the plastic wrapper, the individual cardboard boxes, and look at the number of unpronounceable ingredients the manufacturers continue using. What’s all that about?
What the average person may not realize is that there’s an easier way. Making soap at home is surprisingly easy and affordable when done correctly. Before you embark on your personalized bath bar journey, be sure to review these simple tips for more successful soaps.
Making a bar of soap isn’t difficult if you know what steps you need along the way. Every block relies on a specific base, which determines the properties of the final form and how well they perform.
Some bases use fragrances which are too strong, making it a challenge to get as clean as you should from odors. Others add anti-dew properties, or “sweat,” which usually happens with your moisturizing formula blends as they draw out humidity.
Whether you prefer the classic white bar of soap or a clear base for colorations, you have many potential candidates. Some require that you warm them in the microwave, while others prove much more challenging to work with for beginners.
Some people see all soaps as being the same and use the same bars for their hair, face, skin, all over. Not only is that a little gross, but it may not be the best approach. Sure, the 3-in-1 bottle at the store may seem like a time saver, but it also means subjecting certain areas of your body to cleansers that typically weren’t designed for them. .
Back to bar bases. What you expect to see from your custom soaps begins with what building blocks get used. Some prove ideal for facial skin, while others will quickly leave your extremities feeling dry and peeling.
For generations, people have relied on a variety of different bases for their final products, including milk and fragrant oils. Some of the many popular options for DIY soap making include classic and modern additions, including:
The process of creating organic bars of soap from scratch isn’t as complicated as it may seem at first glance. What it does rely on, however, is a shortlist of equipment items, which could quickly make for expensive hobbies.
Because you are engaging in low-level chemistry, you’ll want a material scale and a thermometer for accurate measurement readings. You will also need quite a few stations set up to blend, mix, and pour combined ingredients, taking up room.
Most of these items are easily purchased online or at a local hardware store, however, so you shouldn’t have difficulty locating them. You may feel a little twinge of guilt and bringing more stuff into your space, but think of all the money you’ll save on expensive soaps in the long run!
In the end, creating soap from raw materials is a chemical reaction, the difference being how ingredients respond to others. The four primary processes of creating your DIY soap bars is Cold Process, Hot Process, Melt & Pour, and Rebatching.
Cold Process is the most common practice, but it’s also the most time consuming, and it uses potentially harmful lye. In comparison, Hot Process soaps get cooked by a heat source, using anything from traditional ovens to crockpot devices. Though if you use the latter, just make sure you clean it out before making your mom’s pot roast recipe for dinner.
Melt & Pour bars get created from melting pre-formed ingredient blocks, allowing you to choose what fragrances will get added and potentially what shape, if you feel like being creative.
Finally, Rebatching soap means that you are creating new bars from leftover scrap pieces for more rustic visual appearances. This isn’t really “making your own” soap exactly. However, it is repurposing leftover soap which helps reduce waste and is more efficient than just buying a new bar when the old one gets tiny.
Many DIYers find that regularly making soap isn’t worth the time and effort. If it seems like you’re always tearing your place apart for fresh bars, keep buying them at the store. However, if you can budget accordingly, you can enjoy fresh, affordable soap all year long for less than store-bought. And with a small list of ingredients, it becomes far better for you and the environment.
Most minimalists find that larger batches are more economical than smaller amounts. Try making a lot at once to keep your costs lower, especially as a holiday gift or personalized birthday present.
While leading a minimalist lifestyle isn’t about living in poverty, many practitioners are nonetheless careful about how they spend their money. Cutting down on excess and waste also translates to how you choose to spend your money. As such, travelling and finding enriching, rewarding life experiences, while important, doesn’t have to be costly.
Let’s look at a few ways you can find experiences without having to break the bank.
The great outdoors are all around us. You may be surrounded by tall buildings, gas stations, and fast food restaurants, the truth is this: you’re outdoors. Mother nature might be kept at bay by modern civilization, but make no mistake; it’s out there.
You’re never too far away from reconnecting with the great outdoors. Campsites and national parks are all around us. Many of these are only a short road trip away. Campsites often require a fee to spend the night, more so if you’d like to rent a cabin. However, the fee is typically nominal and many areas may allow you to camp without charge as well.
In a world with so much noise, it’s nice to get out into the wilderness to reconnect with nature every once in a while. Bring a few friends and make a weekend out of it!
For many, there’s no greater experience than lending a helping hand to those in need. If you’re looking for an experience, try volunteering with a local organization. Food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, animal shelters, the list goes on.
Almost every town or city has local organizations that provide these opportunities. So get out there and see what’s available! Local churches or religious institutions will often have these opportunities, so that’s a good place to start. If religion isn’t exactly your speed, try starting with a community center or town hall. Opportunities may be found on their website, or just start Googling “volunteer opportunities in my area” and see what you come up with.
Finding great experiences isn’t always about entertaining yourself. Sometimes, even often, truly enriching experiences come from giving back to your community.
If you have the opportunity, look further outside your local area. There are several international organizations such as Habitat for Humanity which allow you the opportunity to volunteer while travelling across the country and even around the world.
Of course, such an obligation is a big task to take on. However, if you’re able to spare a year or so, you may not find a better time or opportunity to do important work as well as enriching your own life in the process.
From community athletics to local grassroots organizations, there are a lot of things you can join out there. Find out what’s available in your community and make an effort to get involved. Whether it’s canvassing the neighbourhood to raise awareness of a local issue; or an afternoon chess club at the local rec center; there’s a whole world available outside of your bubble so get involved!
Find the things you enjoy doing, or are passionate about, and discover outlets that accommodate them. From there, new opportunities may arise, including travel or the opportunity to take on a larger role in the group.
As the saying goes: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” While some people may have this notion that leading a minimalist lifestyle means living a solitary life, this is not the case and it doesn’t have to be either!
Make new friends, connect with co-workers, forge relationships via volunteer work or community service. Get involved in community events such as fairs or festivals. Basically, get out there and meet people. In case you missed it, there are a lot of people out there! All have their own connections, their own experiences, and their own passions. Make connections and a world of opportunities for fun, travel, and more will open up to you.
Everyone wants the opportunity to expand their horizons and enrich their lives. However, not everyone wants to spend a ton of money to have them. The good news is: you don’t have to! There are plenty of ways to go out there and have real, awesome experiences without breaking the bank.
There’s a whole world out there to explore. Some of it might be closer than you think!
]]>You hear the term “minimalism” being thrown around a lot these days. On the web, in the news, and certainly in the articles on this blog. However, if you’re not already “in the know,” you might be asking yourself “what is minimalism anyway?”
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all of the stuff in your life? We use the word ‘stuff’ because it’s a broad term that encompasses everything we encounter on a daily basis that has an impact on how we feel.
Minimalism can help you eliminate the excess in your life, whether it’s the clothes hanging in your closet or the activities that demand your time. But that still doesn’t explain what it truly is and how people come to call themselves minimalists.
The truth is that minimalism means a lot of things. This trendy buzzword isn’t a new concept. In fact, it’s got deep spiritual roots for Buddhism, Catholicism, and Christianity. But the modern trend arose around the 1950s and 1960s during the Minimalist art movement and only continues to grow in popularity today.
At its core, minimalism helps you live your life with less. However, that can have many different interpretations. Think of it as a lifestyle choice that helps you let go of the things that burden you and find the freedom to enjoy the things you value the most. It can be implemented in your home, your technology use, your diet, your spending - literally anywhere you desire more simplicity in your life. Whatever the definition you go with, simplicity is key.
Take a moment and look around the room. You can probably put your eyes on things you haven’t used in months. Things you’ve been meaning to get rid of. Things that gave you buyer’s remorse as soon as you left the store. Minimalism means removing all of those things from your life and making room for only the things you need or truly enjoy.
What may seem like a difficult thing to do can actually be a very rewarding lifestyle change. The freeing effects of minimalism can have a big impact on your mental health, emotional well-being, and many other things right down to your monthly budget.
Let’s explore five of the top benefits of minimalism:
There are countless other benefits when it comes to incorporating minimalism into your life, but the most important thing is that it makes you feel good.
A common misconception with minimalism is that there are a set of rules you have to follow. The truth is, you just have to take the concept and apply it to your lifestyle. Therefore, minimalism looks a bit different for everyone. And hey, that’s okay!
If you need help, here are a few tips to help you get started.
That’s right, you can determine your own definition of minimalism. Write them down to hold yourself accountable and make sure to keep them realistic, especially when you’re getting started.
There’s not going to be a test. No one’s grading you. Take the principles of minimalism and find out how best to apply them to your life. Then you’re only accountable to yourself.
Starting fresh is the best way to approach minimalism. Discard or donate things that no longer serve a purpose in your life. If you’re on the fence about a certain item, keep a mental note of how many times you actually reach for it and decide its fate after a few weeks.
This can be a difficult thing to do. While it may sound silly, we all have a strong connection to our “stuff.” Letting go can be hard. However, this is a necessary step to de-cluttering your life. Feel free to ease into it. You don’t have to sell your home and throw out 90% of your wardrobe overnight. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Everything that you choose to keep should have a designated place. It might help to organize everything by category so you can easily see duplicates and compare items. Consider cube-based or vertical storage solutions such as shelving for organization purposes.
Once you’ve reduced, you can add or subtract things from your new lifestyle as necessary according to your rules. Minimalism really is that simple, so why wait to get started.
]]>Normally we’re all about decluttering. Don’t get us wrong, that’s still the goal with any minimalist lifestyle however you wish to practice it. However, today we’re all about holding on! Why? It’s simple. When one gets all caught up in the fervor of minimalism, and you’re diving into your new approach to life; well, it can be easy to get carried away.
So, while we’re all about getting rid of waste and cutting down on excess, let’s face it: some things we need to hold on to. To that end, we’re going to discuss a few things you shouldn’t be so quick to get rid of. Or rather, how to approach those “I dunno” items and make the final call.
The first line of questioning this suspected item should face is a question of usage. Realistically, how often do you use it? Whether it’s a piece of furniture, appliances, or an article of clothing; what’s the real story here?
As a general guideline, use the 1-year rule. That is, if you haven’t used it in a year, you can probably get rid of it. This includes furniture that hasn’t been sat on or utilized, outfits that have been in the bottom of a closet forever, etc. For some items, you can lessen that amount of time, depending on what it is. For example…
We all have them. You know what they are. Why exactly do you have at espresso maker even though you never drink espresso? Well, just in case you have someone over who does, of course!
These situations can be difficult to navigate. After all, they only exist “just in case” so how are you to know if you truly need to hang on to them? As a general rule, start off with the 1-year rule. Haven’t used it in a year? Okay, it’s definitely a “just in case” item at the very least.
Outside of that, consider the likelihood you’ll need it. Fire extinguisher? Yeah, you want to hang on to those! True emergency items are important! However, that breadmaker you received as a gift four years ago? While we’d hate to think of you in one of those common, everyday scenarios where you’d need a breadmaker and find yourself without one; you’re probably good to let it go.
Fear comes in many forms. When it comes to decluttering your home, we could be talking about fear of loss, fear of the unknown, etc. No, most people aren’t scared of doing this; but anxiety-riddled might be a better way of looking at it.
Fear of loss can be a powerful emotion. After all, you’ve had that desk for years. Whatever will happen if you throw it out? Well, nothing. It won’t be there anymore. And really that’s all there is to it.
By all means, if you use that desk with regularity, or if it has sentimental value (legitimate sentimental value!) then keep it! By all means, keep it! We’re not throwing things out just for the sake of throwing things out! If, however, the item in question is neither beautiful nor functional; sentimental or useful: it can probably go.
You may feel anxious about taking this step, but realize it’s an important one. And at the end of the day, it’s just “stuff” that won’t be there anymore. Case closed.
If you’re looking at something, be it an article of clothing, an appliance, or a piece of furniture, and all you can think about is “I spent x amount of money on this;” try not to do that. Where does this feeling come from? Well, it’s most often some version of “I spent $50 on this and if I throw it out, it’s wasted!”
This feeling is common and completely normal and understandable. However, if you’re considering getting rid of this, here’s the truth: that money is wasted already! Whether it’s in the garbage, in the donation bin, or collecting dust in the garage; the end result is the money spent on it is NOT in your wallet.
Minimalists are careful with their money and how they spend it. But we weren’t always this way, of course. We’ve all been guilty of spending a little too much, buying on impulse, and having a little regret. It’s normal and it’s what makes us human.
Look at it this way: that item can now declutter your space. It can be donated which means it can serve a healthy, functional purpose for somebody else. What’s more, it won’t serve as a reminder of money, waste, or excess every time you walk by it or don’t use it.
Relax and let it go!
If anxiety, guilt, or fear is looming, here’s something that might help calm those nerves: Donating! It’s much better for everyone if you don’t simply throw items in the trash. There are many charitable organizations out there that accept donations of everything from furniture to clothing and housewares. Donating your items is always preferable to throwing them out; whenever possible.
Giving away your items may be a little tough; however, it’ll be a little easier if you know that your items aren’t truly gone; they’re simply going someplace where they can be put to better use.
Decluttering can be intimidating. Remember, it’s not the amount you get rid of or even the amount of space you gain. There’s no metric for what a minimalist home “needs” to look like. As long as you’re moving towards your goal of decluttering your life and cutting down on waste and excess, you are on the right path!
]]>So, you’re looking to declutter your space, eh? An excellent choice. But, where to start? It can be an intimidating prospect, ditching the clutter. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it all at once. There are a few baby steps you can take to make the process go more smoothly.
Where to begin? How about with these five items that you can likely afford to get rid of.
The kitchen is a prime place for clutter and coffee or tea cups are a great place to start. We know, we know. The coffee mug is a go-to gift for many people. If you’re like us, you’ve probably found yourself on the receiving end of more than one coffee mug with a cute, kitchy, or hobby-related phrase, saying, logo, etc.
Sure, when it comes to gift giving it’s the thought that counts. Well, now it’s time to think about getting rid of all those novelty items tucked away in your kitchen cabinets. After all, how many coffee mugs do you really need? Probably just a few.
Keep your lucky coffee mug, the one you got from your kids, or a few that might have legitimate sentimental value. All together maybe you need 4 or 6 in case company drops over. The other 37? Donation time.
My mother always told me that “books are our friends.” She’s not wrong. However, today we have things like Kindle to take care of that for us. Beyond being undeniably convenient, many amazing books are actually FREE to download and read on Kindle, especially classics. Having an impressive bookcase is nice, but you can ditch the analog days and move over to the digital age.
Speaking of digital vs analog… Yeah, it’s current year. If you’re not hanging on to an old vinyl collection there’s really no excuse to have a stack of CDs and DVDs lying around. Not in a world where you can stream or download just about anything. Unless you’re a serious collector of vintage CDs (and who is?) take another step into the digital age.
Another go-to gift idea is the dreaded “gadget.” From novelty items to the halfway practical, your home is likely loaded with gadgets. In the kitchen, garage, and even the closet. Everything from glow in the dark frisbees and shrimp de-veiners to electric apple peelers and handheld personal fans, etc. Some of these things you may have even purchased for yourself on a whim, but we won’t tell anyone if you don’t!
The question is: how many of these items do you actually use? Probably not that many. Time to give ‘em the ol’ heave-ho.
There comes a time in every person’s life when they have to ask the question “how many bags do I actually need?” Accumulating bags is easy enough. You probably have a piece of luggage you use to take trips. And then you started flying on a budget airline that has luggage size restrictions so you bought a smaller bag. Then, of course, you needed a carry-on bag so you obtained one of those. Of course, that bag wasn’t big enough for your laptop so you needed another bag.
Satchels, purses, messenger bags, the list goes on. Before you know it, you’re one person with ten bags and maybe, just maybe, you use two with any regularity. Time to ditch the other eight. If you’ve accrued a collection of purses or personal bags, this might be even more painful.
The truth, however, is that you likely only really need one or two of these. And before you start in on the “but that’s last year’s style” argument, pause it! You know what never goes out of style? Black. Get a black bag. Problem solved.
It isn’t that we’re advocating a lack of choice or a boring fashion sense. Just a different way of looking at it. One that advocates a prioritization of functional practicality. If you’d like to own a few purses, by all means own a few purses. If you truly need more than one piece of luggage, then go for it! You do have that freedom, even if you’re going minimal.
The same principles apply to coffee mugs. You have a coffee mug or two that you like and use, use them. Done deal. No worries. You don’t lose your “minimalist card” if you own more than one of anything.
Minimalism is not a one-size-fits-all equation. Some practitioners take it to an extreme level. Others enjoy a light dose of decluttering freedom. The point of minimalism, however, is to advocate for a more stress-free, less noisy environment.
There is freedom in removing clutter. If you have a bag that suits your needs and that you like, use it. You don’t need to worry or stress over it. That question is also answered. Ditto, coffee mugs.
In a Medium post from 2013, writer Lindsay Schauer outlines eight things you can live without. Number 8 strikes us as a perfect way to sum up downsizing your space with minimalism.
“Things that are neither useful, nor beautiful”
Everyone needs a dose of both usefulness and beauty in their lives. Downsizing your space and ditching excess doesn’t mean you need to throw away the beautiful things. Rather, you can ditch the less useful in favor of the more useful. Along the way, you’ll create space for the more beautiful things in your life.
]]>Following a minimalist lifestyle opens you up to so many more opportunities and experiences - like travelling. You’re probably thinking, ‘anyone can jet-set around the globe at any time, what does minimalism have to do with it?’ We’ll tell you!
A huge part of minimalism is being more intentional about what you purchase. This typically leads to more money in your pocket that you can freely spend on what matters most. While non-minimalists may have to plan, budget, and sacrifice in order to see the globe, people living a minimalist lifestyle can fulfill their wanderlust a little more easily.
However, it’s not just about being able to pick-up and go anytime you want. There are other reasons that travelling like a minimalist can lead to richer experiences. Here are a few of our best travel tips to follow on your next trip.
We know that being minimal means you’re shopping with a purpose. Don’t let something like a trip throw you off track. Consider whether new outfits or new luggage will serve a larger purpose in your life once you return home.
It’s easy to fall into the pre-travel spending splurge. After all, you need STUFF to travel with, right? But remember that little things add up to big expenses and a lot of clutter. Don’t stock up on a travel-size this or that. Pack what you have at home or check to see if things like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste are provided where you’re staying.
Resist the urge to purchase items because you think you might need them. Unless you’re travelling into the jungle or down the Amazon river, you can purchase things like medicine or bandaids if the need arises at your destination.
We’ve all been guilty of overpacking for a trip. Largely because of the things we outlined above. However, packing like a minimalist can relieve you of the burden of lugging around and paying for all that extra baggage. Instead of overpacking, trying under-packing instead.
Ideally, you arrive at the airport with only a carryon. On most airlines, they’re free, but even if it’s not, you don’t have to pay to check a bag. Remember, what you bring is your burden, and that includes financially.
Under-packing takes some planning. Look at the weather where you’re going and think through your scheduled activities to determine the types of clothes to bring. Try coordinating your outfits before you put them in the suitcase and look to reuse as many pieces as possible.
How long as you going to be gone? Five days? You’ll need five outfits for those five days. However, that doesn’t mean you absolutely need five different shirts and five different pants. Think ahead and consider combinations.
One of the greatest pleasures of travelling is trying the local food and enjoying dining experiences you can’t get anywhere else. But the costs add up quickly when you have to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner away from home.
In order to save money, hit up a local grocery store to get the essentials as well as ingredients for a few meals you can make at your vacation rental or even in your hotel if possible. Just be careful not to end up with too much food that you create waste or pack things up at the end of your trip.
Now we’re not suggesting you cook filet mignon on a hot plate at your motel. However, if your hotel or rental has at least a fridge, you could probably manage a few breakfasts and snacks. Then, choose a couple local eateries that you absolutely must try and stick to those places only. This will help you save money by avoiding frivolous stops and make your experience that much more special.
Some of the most well-known attractions in cities around the world are also the most expensive to visit. And dare we say that many (not all!) are tourist traps? Before buying expensive passes to a popular attraction, ask yourself if it’s an experience you’ll truly value after you leave; or if it’s just something that everybody does when they visit that area.
Also, skip the souvenirs. Magnets, postcards, pens and snow globes, etc. They may be fun and you may think you’re going to use them… but you know you won’t, right? They’ll wind up in a drawer somewhere or throw onto a shelf and forgotten.
We’re not trying to be a downer here. If you would like to purchase something to remember your trip by, consider an item that’s meaningful and intentional as opposed to a last-minute impulse buy at the gift shop. Consider functionality and sentimentality as opposed to just grabbing anything with the name of the place you’re staying at written on it.
It may not even cost a dime! Plenty of people collect seashells, stones, or other items from nature as a keepsake. If you are looking to buy something, consider a piece of art, jewelry, or even clothing.
The bottom line is that you’re on vacation, so enjoy it! But if you’re looking to save some money while still making memories on your trip, just be more intentional about what you take, what you buy, and what you do.
]]>All you wanted was the aspirin, but about a dozen other tiny bottles avalanche out of your medicine cabinet. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. It happens to the best of us. It seems the bathroom or medicine cabinet has become the burial ground for unnecessary health and wellness items.
Whether you’re storing the wrong items in your bathroom, or they simply don’t work, we all have junk taking space. Sure, some items no washroom should be without, but others can’t go soon enough.
Minimalism in the bathroom is NOT about getting rid of necessary health items. Toothpaste, combs, an even that bottle of aspirin are important. However, we all have a tendency to accumulate “stuff” and shove it in the medicine cabinet or bathroom closet. As such, the bathroom can be a messy and cluttered space.
It’s time to downsize the bathroom.
For generations, products have claimed to remove excess toxins that Mother Nature couldn’t possibly know how to do so. That herbal tea supplement may taste nice and that arm patch may peel off a layer of black gunk. However, they typically don’t remove much else.
Your body knows how to remove as many toxins as it can. Fax detox pills and cleansing kits just aren’t that effective, if at all. They may even prove potentially harmful, and their benefits stop at being a potential hangover cure.
Your colon, liver, kidneys, digestive system, even your skin, all naturally remove harmful items from your body. And even if they didn’t, a 99-cent patch from the pharmacy isn’t going to do it for you.
Many of these health items contain harmful chemicals themselves. At best, they’re marginally effective at doing anything other than removing money from your wallet. At worst, they’re potentially harmful themselves.
Bottom line: there are simple, natural, even homeopathic ways to do everything from clearing stress to clearing your sinuses. Don’t buy the hype and overload your bathroom drawer with miracle fixes and empty detoxifying promises.
Ripping off a tacky face mask temporarily makes your skin feel like new, but it turns out they usually aren’t great for your complexion. And while some people swear by them, your face shouldn’t create enough oil to warrant using them every week.
Instead, you may want to try a cream-based exfoliator that gently penetrates your pores without you tearing through them. Or, it could be time to try a different shower soap or makeup product to see different results.
Want to really go minimalist? Try your hand at creating your own skin creams or soaps. It’s easier than you might think!
If these products remain a small joy in your otherwise hectic week, or if you happen to be one of the folks who swear by them, then, by all means, keep using them. We’re not about reducing joy or taking away from products that actually work! However, do try to reduce the amount of time, money, and energy you spend loading up on your skincare products. Find, or create, an item that works and stick with it.
One bottle. One jar. One tube. Don’t get suckered into the clearance aisle at the store and load up on sale items. A. Most don’t work, and B. Once you find one you like, stick with it.
You have a flight in a few days, so you make sure to take a few fizzy tablets now. You hope that by drinking three days’ worth of vitamin C, you’ll avoid the flu when you leave the airport. Well, not so much.
While there is definitely some benefit to taking vitamin C, these blends of herbs and vitamins provide little more than your usual daily supplement. If you find it helps, by all means, go for it. However, the science behind this tends to say that most promises of boosting your immune system, fighting off infection, and etcetera… well, they generally don’t work.
Now minimalism is not about suggesting that if your toilet gets stopped up you’re out of luck. However, these items don’t necessarily need to be in the bathroom itself. That’s why hall closets exist.
Where we will say to reduce your “stuff” accumulation is in the number of products you need. There are plenty of fine cleaning products on the market, many of which serve multiple purposes. You likely don’t need seven different foaming bathroom cleansers. Cut back.
Does this one sound weird? Okay, maybe some people need this health and beauty item, but you don’t need it in your bathroom. While it’s understandably more convenient to keep it all with you, it’s unsanitary to do so.
Unsurprisingly, your bathroom has tons of ambient germs and bacteria hanging around, including those landing on your brushes. When you batter and beat your face, you’re only smearing them across your skin and into pores.
Much like the dangers of storing a toothbrush too close to your commode, well, you get the idea. This one isn’t so much about getting rid of the item; rather, moving it to a more sanitary location.
Okay, we’re not throwing anything out here, but we are making things more efficient. We’ve all experienced this: you were nearly out of shampoo, so you planned ahead and bought a new one. And then, you forgot which was which and now you have two of them taking space. It happens.
Although it’s common sense, most of us have multiple bottles of the same skincare, hair, or makeup products that could be combined. Even one fewer item from your medicine cabinet can prevent them all spilling out again.
From old containers from your last hotel stay to duplicate projects, everyone has things they could compartmentalize. You may even open the medicine cabinet without causing a mess. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Going minimalist in your bathroom isn’t just about throwing things out. It’s about reducing clutter, casting off excess, and emphasizing functionality. The bathroom tends to be one of the smaller rooms in the house. However, it’s also a room where we spend a fair amount of our time. Let’s create a more peaceful, harmonious environment for the time we spend there.
]]>Who doesn’t feel the call to see the world after spending a few minutes on Instagram? However, each time you try and take off, you wind up taking way too many things. Some people need their entire closets and wardrobes in order to travel. Although if you’ve read our piece on tackling the closet conundrum, that might not be an issue!
Either way, travelling as a minimalist can be a shock to the system if you haven’t gone for it before. And while there are many ways we can define “travelling as a minimalist,” today we’re going to look at downsizing your travel accoutrements. I.e. “travelling light.
That’s right, you don’t actually need to pack your entire house and take it with you. Rather, let’s take a look at what could be when you travel the minimalist way; light, easy, and clutter-free.
The advice of “Bring only what you need to survive” may seem a little extreme. However, it’s not entirely untrue. By and large, we all have a tendency to overpack. After all, what if you need that extra pair of socks? Or that spare cellphone charger? And who doesn’t need two toothbrushes? You get the idea. It can quickly get out of hand.
Rather, plan out your trip. How many days will you be gone? You’ll need clothes for that many days. Will you have the ability to do laundry where you are? If so, maybe you need even less.
When it comes to toiletries, cosmetics, and other personal items; also consider what you’ll truly need. If you’ll be staying in a hotel, many toiletries may be provided. In any case, there’s no need to bring your entire bathroom with you.
In fact, unless you’re going to be travelling for a month, you may find that you don’t really need that much! In most cases, a single bag is all you need!
Sure, if you have a long flight, you’ll need some entertainment and distractions, but you don’t need every device. The less tech you pack, the lighter you can travel, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Bring your laptop if you must, but avoid packing your wireless mouse, accessory dongles, physical movie or game cases, and other unneeded add-ons. Or, if you do need to touch base, use the hotel's business center or pop into a nearby Internet café.
Of course, bring your cellphone, charger, and other necessary accessories. Other than that, however; go lightly, brave traveller!
One of the first things an armed service member learns regarding travel is the “Ranger Roll,” a compact folding method. When done right, it not only saves you precious free space in any bag but prevents wrinkles as well.
By starting with broad folds from the outer edges and working your way in, it creates a small rolled object. You can fit far more clothing items in the same amount of space, and you won’t see as many creases.
You hear the same piece of advice for dieting over and over: use smaller plates and bowls for portion control. And while that may not always work when you go back for thirds, it does make sense for vacation packing.
Smaller containers, suitcases, backpacks, and other luggage items mean making do with what fits inside, forcing you to scale back. While it may feel like The Bachelor for your belongings, it can be useful for indecisive travellers.
Whether you consider yourself an organized traveller with a full itinerary or plan on improvising, pack around any intended activities. If your upcoming trip is a relaxing beach vacation, how many things will you genuinely need to bring?
Taking a cruise is a great example, as you can either stay on the ship or participate in paid excursions. Whatever activities that you have on your list of must-sees, begin with them when packing your bags to avoid unnecessary belongings.
Rather than bring an entire week’s worth of clothes, check-in at places that offer onsite laundry rooms or services. Some lodging offers dry cleaning, washing, or have coin-operated appliances, allowing you to double up on the same wardrobe.
Or, instead, try and save up all your dirty clothes for when it’s time to fly home. When your laundry is already in rough shape, you don’t need to worry about wrinkles forming from tight packing.
When travelling abroad, it means keeping up with tons of official documents full of sensitive personal information. And while it may be required, do you need to bring the physical copies?
The Department of Homeland Security offers a Mobile Passport app, allowing you to check in using a smart device. While it isn’t recognized everywhere, it does get used in 26 international airports in the United States, and three seaports.
Other documents, such as insurance cards, boarding passes, even some credit cards have smartphone app replacements that can save space. Just double-check to know whether they will get accepted at the locations you will be visiting before arriving.
Travelling as a minimalist isn’t just about leaving the home with only the clothes on your back. You can take exceptional, enriching vacations just the same as anyone! Rather, it’s about proper planning and execution. The same principles of reducing clutter, waste, and excess apply to luggage as they do the bathroom or kitchen.
Minimalist travel also means paying careful attention to waste as it pertains to your wallet. But that, dear traveller, is another topic for another day. For now, you’ll feel confident knowing that wherever your travels take you, you’ll be prepared for it!
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While the Galaxy Note series has historically been hit or miss, the 10th version gets the most right so far. Between phasing out unnecessary buttons to improving software capabilities, it can go toe to toe with any other smartphone brand.
The latest iteration is sure to
While the Galaxy Note series has historically been hit or miss, the 10th version gets the most right so far. Between phasing out unnecessary buttons to improving software capabilities, it can go toe to toe with any other smartphone brand.
The latest iteration is sure to please both long-term fans of the phone, as well as earning many new believers. Before you settle for the same smartphone you buy year after year, the Galaxy Note 10 has impressive upgraded features.
Rather than pressing a separate button, the Galaxy Note 10 has the sensor within the screen. In addition to an impressive liquid-like animation, it’s also a more accurate reader that scans your finger in the process.
Instead of taking a picture of your finger, the identification tool is actively combing through your skin’s unique ridgeline patterns. In addition to looking and sounding futuristic, it’s impressive to see scanners that perform more closely to real-world security features.
It feels that this year, every phone manufacturer has a new Night Mode to show off to their keynote audience. And while it may not be the best Night Mode available, it certainly offers enough updated details to switch brands.
Not to be confused with similar-sounding menu settings, the camera’s newer Night Mode reduces noise in darker photos for clarity. And, ending one frustrating complaint by users, you can now manually toggle the setting on and off at any time.
Finally, you can enjoy superior selfies with front camera support, no longer leaving your self-portraits looking worse over wide shots. Enjoy snapping more photos in low-light conditions, night, bright exterior lighting, and more challenging settings for your shutterbug hobby needs.
Some Galaxy Note 10 users may not realize this, but you can have a built-in video editor app via download. While one would think that Samsung would offer it pre-installed, it’s a straightforward process to add to your phone after purchase.
Once set up, you can enjoy a straightforward editing UI that looks like any basic Microsoft editing software previously used. Unlike a Windows-based program, it’s incredibly easy to add music, photos, effects, and more helpful tools that anyone can use.
While a better smartphone video editor isn’t a deal-breaker, it certainly speeds the process of uploading videos to social media. For the content creator on the go, this could become a significant addition to consider in future Galaxy Note models.
At first, it seems as though that other companies have already outpaced the Galaxy Note 10 in performance and RAM. Once you continue using the phone for a while however, it starts to feel like a different device regarding speed.
What makes the Galaxy 10 faster in the end is that your phone learns which apps you use the most. As a result, it rearranges which apps load, when, and battery temperature, as well as CPU, RAM, and other metrics.
The results are the apps you depend on most load more quickly. Those that rarely get used stay in hibernation. Due to the Galaxy 10’s superior RAM, it has been shown to outpace the fastest competitors by 16 seconds.
While this model doesn’t have as many camera lenses as part of its array, it isn’t far behind the pack. The differences noticed in comparing camera hardware soon becomes minimal at best when you’re snapping away all day or night.
Other companies have revealed that they focus on capturing more light and focus, while Samsung manages depth and color levels. While other brands advertise improved focus and clarity, the Galaxy Note 10 still takes professional-looking photos in virtually any setting.
And with the designers’ attention turned to both the rear and front-facing cameras, the latest Samsung is also the best. Experienced photographers and amateurs alike should feel satisfied with the quality of the photos they take.
Cameras and speed and storage get a lot of the glory. However, some users just want to know how durable the phone is. For example, will it ding, dent, or be scraped easily? All smartphones prioritize durability; however, the Galaxy Note 10 has performed exceedingly well in multiple drop tests. One thing of note, however, is that the phones sharper corners may put it at a disadvantage in some scenarios.
In any scenario, you’ll want to make sure you invest in a case which can offer phone and camera protections against unsightly and frustrating scrapes, dings, dents, and drops. Thankfully, the MNML slim phone case is the world’s thinnest phone case; so if you want added protection and stye without the bulk, you’re in luck.
The Galaxy Note 10 has a lot of cool features and functions to make most any smartphone user happy. It presents an attractive phone with an advanced camera and operating system and is clearly a step forward from its predecessors.
both long-term fans of the phone, as well as earning many new believers. Before you settle for the same smartphone you buy year after year, the Galaxy Note 10 has impressive upgraded features.
Rather than pressing a separate button, the Galaxy Note 10 has the sensor within the screen. In addition to an impressive liquid-like animation, it’s also a more accurate reader that scans your finger in the process.
Instead of taking a picture of your finger, the identification tool is actively combing through your skin’s unique ridgeline patterns. In addition to looking and sounding futuristic, it’s impressive to see scanners that perform more closely to real-world security features.
It feels that this year, every phone manufacturer has a new Night Mode to show off to their keynote audience. And while it may not be the best Night Mode available, it certainly offers enough updated details to switch brands.
Not to be confused with similar-sounding menu settings, the camera’s newer Night Mode reduces noise in darker photos for clarity. And, ending one frustrating complaint by users, you can now manually toggle the setting on and off at any time.
Finally, you can enjoy superior selfies with front camera support, no longer leaving your self-portraits looking worse over wide shots. Enjoy snapping more photos in low-light conditions, night, bright exterior lighting, and more challenging settings for your shutterbug hobby needs.
Some Galaxy Note 10 users may not realize this, but you can have a built-in video editor app via download. While one would think that Samsung would offer it pre-installed, it’s a straightforward process to add to your phone after purchase.
Once set up, you can enjoy a straightforward editing UI that looks like any basic Microsoft editing software previously used. Unlike a Windows-based program, it’s incredibly easy to add music, photos, effects, and more helpful tools that anyone can use.
While a better smartphone video editor isn’t a deal-breaker, it certainly speeds the process of uploading videos to social media. For the content creator on the go, this could become a significant addition to consider in future Galaxy Note models.
At first, it seems as though that other companies have already outpaced the Galaxy Note 10 in performance and RAM. Once you continue using the phone for a while however, it starts to feel like a different device regarding speed.
What makes the Galaxy 10 faster in the end is that your phone learns which apps you use the most. As a result, it rearranges which apps load, when, and battery temperature, as well as CPU, RAM, and other metrics.
The results are the apps you depend on most load more quickly. Those that rarely get used stay in hibernation. Due to the Galaxy 10’s superior RAM, it has been shown to outpace the fastest competitors by 16 seconds.
While this model doesn’t have as many camera lenses as part of its array, it isn’t far behind the pack. The differences noticed in comparing camera hardware soon becomes minimal at best when you’re snapping away all day or night.
Other companies have revealed that they focus on capturing more light and focus, while Samsung manages depth and color levels. While other brands advertise improved focus and clarity, the Galaxy Note 10 still takes professional-looking photos in virtually any setting.
And with the designers’ attention turned to both the rear and front-facing cameras, the latest Samsung is also the best. Experienced photographers and amateurs alike should feel satisfied with the quality of the photos they take.
Cameras and speed and storage get a lot of the glory. However, some users just want to know how durable the phone is. For example, will it ding, dent, or be scraped easily? All smartphones prioritize durability; however, the Galaxy Note 10 has performed exceedingly well in multiple drop tests. One thing of note, however, is that the phones sharper corners may put it at a disadvantage in some scenarios.
In any scenario, you’ll want to make sure you invest in a case which can offer phone and camera protections against unsightly and frustrating scrapes, dings, dents, and drops. Thankfully, the MNML slim phone case is the world’s thinnest phone case; so if you want added protection and stye without the bulk, you’re in luck.
The Galaxy Note 10 has a lot of cool features and functions to make most any smartphone user happy. It presents an attractive phone with an advanced camera and operating system and is clearly a step forward from its predecessors.
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Minimalism is about a lot more than just buying a smaller home or apartment. Sure, you can do that too and I promise, we’ll cover that later! However, if you’re looking to take a few easy steps towards your minimalist journey, you don’t have to do it all at once.
At its heart, minimalism is about reducing clutter and excess. It’s not about restriction, it’s about freeing up your life, time, and space to do more. A lot of people may look at a minimalist home and see a bunch of empty space. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. You can have a lot of “stuff” and still follow a minimalist lifestyle.
Downsizing your space isn’t just about getting rid of all that stuff! However, let’s be honest: there’s probably a lot of stuff you could stand to get rid of and that’s where minimalism comes into play.
Ready to downsize? Let’s get started.
Yes, okay, it’s time to get rid of a lot of stuff. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. While minimalism doesn’t mean you have to throw a bunch of things out, you most certainly have a lot of excess you can shed.
Start by taking an assessment. What do you have that you don’t really need. What do you use on a daily basis? How about weekly? What do you have underneath the bed or tucked away in a cabinet that truly never gets used.
If you’re able to be truly objective during this process, you may find that you’re able to reduce the amount of clutter in your space by at least half. Books that never get read, tables or furniture that never gets used, items shoved in closets and storage spaces which gather dust, etc.
Prioritize items which enjoy regular use. The rest? Might be time to purge.
Re-imagine and re-define your concept of storage. Rather than horizontal storage solutions (boxes, cabinets, etc) which stick out, minimizing your space; think vertically. Taller cabinets and storage shelving.
Consider how tall you are. That’s about the maximum amount of space you actively use in your space. In most homes or apartments, that leaves precious space above your head that generally doesn’t get used. Make the most of that vertical space by using it to categorize, organize, and store the items you’re keeping.
In addition to maximizing space, going vertical with your furniture and storage solutions not only creates more space, but from an interior design perspective, it creates the illusion of space as well by drawing the eyes upward, adding depth to your room.
As you’re identifying the clutter you can reduce, start to formulate a plan for what you’d like your new space to look like. It doesn’t have to be a drastic change, mind you. We’re not ripping the band-aid off just yet. We’re starting with some small, easy steps to make the transition more manageable.
All the same, start developing a plan and keep it in the back of your mind. We’re not about getting rid of things just for the sake of getting rid of them. Create a method to the madness. What would you like your space to do for you? Do you want to create room for a home office? Would you like more floor space for game night? Keep it in mind and start to develop your new look around those goals.
Remember: we’re reducing waste and excess. Not simply throwing things away. Make a list of what you can donate to GoodWill or similar organizations. One person’s excess can be another’s gain. Whenever possible, please plan to donate your unwanted or unnecessary goods to those in need.
It’s common to form an emotional attachment to your stuff. However, you may find it easier to downsize your space if you know your items are going to those in need and may be able to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
If you’re wondering what’s making your rooms seem so cluttered, it may not be what’s sitting on the floor that counts. Instead, look upward. See all those pictures and photographs on the wall? They may be hampering the negative space in your room.
Pictures, photographs, and other wall decorations often hang at or around eye level for obvious reasons. However, having too many things adorning your walls can create the illusion that your room is much more cluttered or claustrophobic than it is.
Paints, photos, wall art, etc are all fine. In moderation, of course.
Downsizing your space can be tough emotionally. After all, you’ve spent all this time accumulating your “stuff,” it can be hard to say goodbye. However, if you’re committed to a more clutter-free lifestyle, you’ll find that letting go is far easier than you might think. What’s more, you don’t have to do everything overnight.
There is no test for you to fail. No set rules for the brand of minimalism you’d like to embrace. In the end, go at your own pace and start de-cluttering your life one piece at a time. If it takes a few weeks, that’s completely fine. The important part is taking the initiative, moving in the right direction, and taking those first steps.
Scaling back your home’s ambient clutter doesn’t need to take tons of time and effort. At its heart, leading a minimalist lifestyle is about reducing stress and clutter. It’s not all about just “going less” though. It’s also about prioritizing functionality. Perhaps nowhere can clutter and unnecessary excess be seen than in the home.
Let’s face it, most of us have more space than we need. What do we do? We feel the need to fill it. That’s all well and good but is it practical? Is it functional? How can we get the most out of our space and create a functional, efficient environment to life and perhaps even work? By creating a simplified multi-purpose living space, you can focus on functionality without expensive new trends or fads.
Using modern, minimalist design choices, you will be amazed at how much more use you can get from your belongings. For the uninitiated, we’re not talking about simply downsizing. Sure, getting rid of that extra chair or table might make sense. However, we’re not advocating that you turn your living room into a bland box with creme-colored walls and a lone table and chair in the center. Far from it, with modern minimalist design choices, you can enjoy plenty of decorative touches and give your space personality and depth without taking up space or cluttering your life.
Below are some of the numerous ways that you can enhance your living room, bedroom, offices, and more, quickly. A few minor adjustments prove practical enough to transform your busy, cluttered living spaces into a relaxing minimalist atmosphere.
How can you pursue a minimalist interior design scheme if you can’t store anything away? Even items that don’t rest on tables, like cable cords and digital set-top boxes, can benefit from getting stowed or at least organized!
Clearing away clutter from your primary surfaces should take precedence over any other design ideas. Make this your primary goal and the basis for the rest of your approach. You want to reduce distractions, clutter, mess, junk, and “stuff” as much as possible.
If you can’t go cordless (and it’s difficult these days to do it 100%), use cable covers, hide them behind furniture, or secure them neatly together as harmoniously as possible. If you can, utilize storage items that double as ottomans, furniture, or that can hide inside walls or counters. With today’s Do It Yourself culture, you can quickly find inspiration online when you can’t locate items for purchase.
If you were to invite your friends and family over, what or where should they look? Too many living spaces have ambiguous focal points, adding to the overall feelings of chaos. We want to alleviate the chaos!
Whether you want to create a dedicated media room or you have an exceptional piece of art, start with the primary focus. From there, work your way out so that the item still takes center stage while adjusting your furniture and décor.
Not only does this give your living space a sense of direction, but it allows you to design more efficiently. When you know not to crowd essential items with other belongings, it opens the area around them for additional space.
The way that the mind perceives light and space lend you a straightforward optical illusion for your benefit. When interior living spaces utilize tons of natural lighting, it makes the room appear much larger.
And while you won’t receive any physical free space, you enjoy the perception of more openness to improve rooms’ appearances. You can take the effect even further with white or lighter wall paints that compliment the incoming sunlight.
Other ways to enhance the illusion remain hanging mirrored décor items and choosing darker accent wall colors. When all these elements work together, you use the light to your advantage while reducing your sense of clutter.
Bigger may prove better for negative space, but not when you purchase new furniture pieces for your home. When your sofas, tables, loveseats, and other items take up tons of walking rooms, you aren’t minimizing effectively.
Try and stick to sets that offer broad, neutral designs and subdued color schemes to avoid taking away from sunlight. Not only will a large sofa demand the focal point of your guests, but it will seem out of place.
You don’t need to settle for earth tones, however, and grays, dark blues, and white hues match more décor pieces. Choosing the right designs for your new furniture sets should enhance your living spaces instead of taking them over.
Remember, minimalism is about reducing clutter, simplifying your life, eliminating distractions, and living more harmoniously with your surroundings. It isn’t simply about doing less or smaller; though that can certainly be a part of it.
Jumping into minimalism doesn’t have to mean throwing out half of your furniture or buying a smaller couch. At its heart, it’s about reducing unnecessary clutter and approaching your space from a more functional perspective.
If you’re just getting started, you don’t need to jump in with a drastic change. Simply start reducing the amount of clutter in your space and discard or donate items you no longer need. Freeing your space of ancillary clutter is an important first step.
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