5 Easy Steps to a Minimalist Lifestyles.

Venice Beach 

A Minimalist Lifestyles looks different to each person whose embracing it. The basis of it is simply Living Big with Less. For me it's living with less material items to foster my need to travel and to be rich in experiences rather than stuff.  Here are 5 Easy Steps that helped me in my Journey to Living Big with Less.

Step 1.  Clear the Clutter, start by donating, and selling things you don't need. If you haven't used it in months you probably don't need it. A clean and clutter free home, helps clear you mind and also frees up your time to focus on what is really important to you. By clearing the clutter I wasn't spending A lot of time looking for things and cleaning.  I now have more time to walk my dog, meditate and simply relax.

Step 2.  Stop Spending, it's easy to become a slave to consumerism,  we are bombarded with advertising everywhere, from purchasing the latest IPhone to the newest car model. Do we have to purchase the latest technology when it comes out? I don't think so. Most of the time it's not significantly different from the last model.  I truly believe in spending less in order to be able to have money to spend on what brings you Real joy. I gave up a huge house to live in a small apartment. Most of my furniture was free or used. I buy clothes only if I need to replace another article of clothes.  I don't spend much money unless it's for traveling and having lasting memorable experiences.

Step 3.  Enjoy the Simple Things in Life, Because I'm not spending as much money trying to maintain a huge house, buying the latest phones, designer clothes  (only to impress people)  I now have more time to spend enjoying life. In the past I worked maybe 50 to 60 hours a week, working in order to pay bills and to have money to travel.  I was trying to have everything but ended up with nothing but stuff, and I was empty inside. The reality was because I was working so much I never had time to travel or spend with my son. Therefore, I replaced time with buying stuff for my myself and my son. Buying stuff did not bring me real joy.  Today, I realize what is truly important to me, which are moments we spend with the people we love, and the lasting memories we make together.  

Spending time with family 

Step 4.  Learn to be grateful for what you already have. This has helped me tremendously because I stopped comparing myself to people who have fancier cars, clothes and houses. I have learned that these things don't bring you real joy. I realize that finding gratitude in what I already have brings me peace. Peace is something that can't be bought

Step 5.  Embrace what brings you real Joy. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone and unfortunately no one has a expiration date stamped on them. I have to live my best life now, and as I stated earlier for me it's traveling. I recently took my first cruise to the Bahamas. Prior to booking I couldn't find anyone to go along with me, everyone I asked had financial contraists, couldn't get off of work, or was afraid of boats or the Ziki virus and I almost didn't go. But I did go, I took my teenage son and I had the best time of my life. I'm so glad that I decided to go to the Bahamas. So, whatever it is that make you truly happy embrace it.

Flying over Grand Canyon

What has been your greatest challenges or triumphs with Minimalism?

                      Thanks for reading.