GOGREEN GOMINIMALIST!

We are born into the world of WANTS & CONSTANT CONSUMING.

Wastes which leads into our planet becoming toxic- which ultimately leads us living in a toxic planet. Where we live, the air we breathe, what we eat, what we where, & what we throw away is all a part of the cycle!

What if we can not only be aware of how eco- friendly we are becoming, but also how simple we can become with our lifestyle? How often do we buy things “just in case” and RARELY use them? How often do we go BUY things we do not NEED because of the exciting energy that is produced in us once we see the word, “ON SALE.” Most of all how much would you say you’ve spent on things that you DO NOT NEED?

It is quite overwhelming with so much that we see that needs to be cleaned up in our environment; however, if we know that we are doing our part to the best of our abilities, then that is enough. You see, we are human who copy by seeing someone in action. We subconsciously do it everyday! For an example, if your best friend who you are around stopped using plastic straws & you are seeing this action over and over again— eventually you will start doing it as well. If your family was committed to only buying organic foods, you will eventually adapt this into your lifestyle as well. So the point is, doing our best is enough- if we are committed to going green & simplifying our lifestyle, chances are the ripple effect is already happening. Imagine having everything you NEED, imagine having extra money left over from cutting back on buying unnecessary things, imagine cutting back on your waste, imagine having less stress in your own environment & in your own personal life!

Here are some simple tiny steps for beginners:

7 Tiny Steps for the Beginner Minimalist

Written by Courtney Carver

(https://bemorewithless.com/begin/)

1. Write it down. Make a list of all the reasons you want to live more simply. If you are sick of debt collectors, write it down. Mad that you never get any time with your kids? Write it down. To stressed out to sleep at night? Put it on paper. Want to fire your boss? Yep, write that down too. These are your whys and your whys will provide great leverage when you think it’s too hard to keep going. Your whys will help you remember what matters.

2. Discard the duplicates. Walk through your home with a box and fill it with duplicates. If you have two sets of measuring cups, put them in the box. Copies of the same book or DVD? Put one in the box. Doubles on place mat sets? You only need one. Once you fill the box, label it “Duplicates” and put it out of sight for 30 days. If you don’t need anything or don’t remember what was in the box, donate it.

3. Declare a clutter-free zone. This area could be a kitchen table, your nightstand, a countertop or a drawer in your kitchen. Use that clutter-free zone as inspiration to live with less. If you enjoy that clean, clear environment, expand the zone a little bit each day. A clutter-free countertop can become a clutter-free room and a clutter free room can become the clutter-free, minimalist home you’ve been thinking about.

4. Travel lightly. Travel always renews my love of minimalism and living simply. The next time you take a trip, pack for 1/2 the time. If you are traveling for 4 days, pack for 2. You can wash and hang clothes if you need to or wear the same things twice. See how it feels to carry less baggage.

5. Dress with Less. If you haven’t considered Project 333, dressing with only 33 items for 3 months (clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories) sounds extreme, but thousands of people know that it actually makes life easier instead of more challenging.

6. Eat similar meals. When you think about how much time you spend thinking about what you are going to eat for lunch, make your family for dinner, or what you need to pick up at the grocery store, it’s clear that food is not always simple. Try eating the same breakfast and lunch all week and have 2 or 3 dinner choices that rotate throughout the week. If your family complains, let them know it’s an experiment and then talk about it at the end of the week.

7. Save $1000. An emergency fund simplifies everything. If you are paying off debt, only pay your minimum payments until you can save $1000. If you aren’t in debt, but still spend what you have, set aside money every day or every week until you reach $1000. Try the 52 week money challenge and in 45 weeks, you’ll save more than $1000 without ever contributing more than $45 in a week. Money for emergencies reduces stress and emergencies.

Try these one at a time and continue to take tiny steps and lean into the life you crave. Even if it takes 10 years to get to where you think you want to be, the benefits begin immediately.

The beauty of being a beginner minimalist is that you can be curious, and daring. You can ask for help, get back up if you fall, and look forward to new adventures in a life with less stuff, drama, debt, and obligation.

To read more: https://bemorewithless.com/begin/