Before becoming a minimalist, my home was filled with things I really did not need or use. I had totes full of items I had stored away and not used or looked at in years. I had more items in my kitchen than I needed and clothes I had not worn for a long time. Furniture and other items took up unnecessary space and my garage was full of things I had never even used or did not need.

I read an article about a woman who had lost everything in a house fire and as she thought about replacing the things she had owned she realized that most of it was unimportant, she decided that she wanted to be able to fit everything she owned in the back of her pickup truck. When I read that it struck me how right she was and how much I had that I did not need. While fitting everything you own into a pickup truck may be a bit extreme for most people it just makes you think about what is really important.

I realized I felt stressed and anxious when I looked around my home and decided that I could reduce stress and bring balance to my life by getting rid of most of my belongings. I rented a dumpster and spent a week clearing out the clutter. I kept only what I absolutely needed or loved. When I was done my house looked empty, but I felt such a sense of peace and freedom. A weight that I did not even realize I had been carrying had been lifted off my shoulders.

I know minimalism is not for everyone, but we can all benefit from reducing clutter. You don’t have to purge as much as I did to feel better about your home, even small changes can make a difference.

Here are some ways you can start living with less.

Set Aside Time

It can seem overwhelming when you think about decluttering your home, but it doesn’t have to be, start by setting aside 15-30 minutes a day to clean a closet or drawer. Once you have cleaned one area you will feel motivated to continue purging.

Quit Buying

Before I became a minimalist, I gave very little thought to what I was buying. If I saw something I wanted I bought it and because of that my house was filled with things I really did not need or use. Now I carefully consider everything I bring into my home. Ask yourself do I really need this? Most of the time you will find you don’t.

In and Out

When purchasing something new get rid of something else, for example if you buy a new outfit get rid of one or more pieces of clothing you already own. Keep a donation box in your garage or laundry room and once it is filled drop it off at a donation center.

Donate to Family and Friends

Some people find it difficult to get rid of sentimental items. Instead of dropping those items off at the donation center check with friends and family to see if they want them.

Downsize Storage

Decluttering does not mean moving items to a storage container. You should only store items that you use often and absolutely need. Just because clutter is hidden does not mean it isn’t clutter.

Don’t Fill Every Space

It is not necessary to fill every room in your home with furniture and other items. I have one room in my home that is completely empty. I don’t feel the need to fill it up. Living in an uncluttered space feels peaceful and calm and there is less to clean and worry about.

Purge Unused Items

Go through your clothing a few times a year and purge what you have not worn for a year or more. Most of us have way too much. Keep items that you can mix and match and things you wear often and get rid of the rest.

Go through your other belongings as well, everything in your house and garage. If you don’t use it, don’t need it or it is damaged or broken get rid of it.

One Room at a Time

Once you get started, consider tackling one room at a time. Make three piles in each room. A keep pile, a donate or sell pile and a trash pile. Each time you clear one room you will feel good about the progress you have made, and it will motivate you to keep going until the job is complete.

Having a clean, clutter free, organized home is a great feeling and having less to care for makes more time in your life for other things.