I have to confess something. I used to be a hoarder. Maybe not the type you’d find on TV, but I loved to surround myself with stuff, both physical and digital, that I thought brought a lot of joy to my life.
But I was wrong.
Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” sums up the gist in its title alone. Having less stuff, but stuff you value and care about can be life changing in a very positive way.
Six years ago, I shifted towards a more minimalist lifestyle. I organized my life (both mentally and physically) and haven’t looked back. But the benefits have become very apparent: less stress, more happiness.
My close friends would describe me as OCD (in the most positive of ways) who is meticulously organized. And it’s true. I’ll own that label. Because along with it has come a sense of calm. If I look at something that’s organized, I get a release of endorphins that feels good. Not only that but when I get rid of stuff, I get the same feeling. I call that “the urge to purge.”
In fact, the benefits of adopting a more minimalist lifestyle and being organized are plentiful. There are no disadvantages that come along with it as well. (Unless you happen to throw away something you need later, but that can be avoided with some careful thought.)
This introduction serves as the beginning of an ongoing series of stories I’m going to write, sharing how you can adopt a more minimalist life and experience your own “life-changing” magic. And being “minimalist” doesn’t mean you need to get rid of everything and adopt a cold and sterile life. If you’re coming in with an open mind, I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
Throughout this series, I’ll share with you tips and techniques to clean out your physical and digital life. I’ll update this story with links to the additional stories as they post.
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