I continue to believe that a minimalistic and uncluttered life can lead to more productivity, increased efficiency and greater happiness. I’ve written several blog posts on my experiments with minimalism and tips to reduce clutter – at work, at home and life in general. Here’s a short version, because I think it all starts with buying stuff…

Buy mindfully:

• Only buy what you need – really need. If it’s a temporary need, see if can be borrowed or rented.
• Go with a shopping list and stay focused. Don’t be distracted by displays or special offers.
• Don’t buy anything ‘just in case’ you might need it. Trust that you’ll find it ‘just in time’.
• Always buy quality. It lasts longer, so costs less in the long run.
• Don’t compromise on your style, size or color, otherwise you may be discarding it too soon.

Discard ruthlessly:

• Once you buy a new something, get rid of the old one. Not tomorrow, not later, right now.
• Find local charities or Salvation Army stores where the old stuff could go. If it’s too bad or old or broken to go to charity, then recycle it.
• Give yourself limited space to keep your stuff. Once that space fills up, you know it’s time to reduce.

Use gratefully:

• Whether it’s clothing, gadgets, books or other possessions, be grateful every time you use them. Remind yourself that millions of people do no have access to such luxury.
• One of the biggest reasons for buying and accumulating stuff is being ungrateful for what we already have – that feeling of not having enough.
• When we are grateful, we take good care of our stuff, and don’t discard/replace them easily.

If that sounds too difficult, just take one step at a step. And perhaps developing the attitude of gratitude would be a good start.