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Start small - Go through a drawer or a box. Start small and take it from there.

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Don’t store it, throw it away! - If you have things that have been laying around for months with the intention of finding a space to store them, don't! Just put them in the garbage can or donate them.

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Get rid of “just in case” items - We all have these laying around: paper clips, assorted buttons, etc. If you don’t need an item and can easily source it for a reasonable price when you are in need, just chuck it.

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Are you seeing double? - Do you really need five sets of bed sheets? Be realistic about the needs of your household and get rid of any extras.

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Wardrobe - Go through all your clothes. If you haven’t used an item within the last six months, donate it. You’ll save space and it will be easier for you to pick out what to wear every morning!

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Kitchen - How often do you use that juicer? Exactly. Donate it or store it (if you actually use it). Keep the counter area clear and clean.

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Ignore sales and stop bargain hunting - Just because an item is on sale, it still doesn’t mean you need it.

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Out with the old, in with the new - If you buy a new item for your home, make sure you get rid of an old one. The trick is to replace instead of adding more stuff.

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Go through your wallet - Get rid of loyalty cards, receipts, and other things that you don’t use daily.

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Digitize - Digitize all important paperwork. It’s better to store them in the cloud than in your drawer.

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Paper - Shred paper you don’t need. You will find that you keep most of it "just in case." Plus, you should have already digitized the important stuff, right?  

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Books - Consider selling or donating your books and buying an e-reader. It might not have the same feel, but you’ll have access to numerous books, and no physical space is taken up.

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One-hit wonders - That DVD you watched once, the CD you no longer listen to, and every other item which you've most likely only used a couple of times, it is time to get rid of them.

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Digital detox - This one takes some courage, but have you ever considered how much time you spend looking at your phone? Consider deleting all social media apps from it.

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Digital detox - The same goes for e-mails. How many important e-mails do you actually receive? Unsubscribe from all marketing e-mails.

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Sentimental items - Get rid of birthday cards and letters. These items may seem valuable to you, but when was the last time you actually looked at them? 

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Credit cards - If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. If you do purchase with your credit card, make sure to pay it off monthly. If you really want to take things to the next level, consider getting rid of all your credit cards completely.

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Garage clear up - Garages are a hoarder's dream. If you really take the time to go through it, you'll probably realize you don't need most of the stuff you're keeping in there.

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Decor - The same applies for decor. You can have a tastefully-decorated home, without filling it with clutter.

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Diet - You can also apply minimalist principles to your diet. Opt for fresh, unprocessed foods. They’re good for you and you’ll save space in the freezer and cupboards too!

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Meal preparation - Instead of cooking every day, save time and prepare meals in advance.

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Quality vs. quantity - Less is more, so a good quality item will always be better than five mediocre ones. 

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Tidy up your car - Clear out your car and take away anything that doesn’t belong in there. A pack of tissues is fine. An empty cup of coffee is not.

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Travel - Pack light and become a minimalist traveler.

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Tidy up your garden -

Mow the lawn, trim overgrown shrubs, and tidy things up. You’ll feel much better with a nice, clean garden to enjoy.

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Ask thy neighbor - If you need an item for a one-off job, why not borrow it from your friends or family instead of buying it?

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Do it often - Keep up with your new minimalist lifestyle by going through the previous steps at least once every few months. 

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Don’t listen to your inner hoarder - You may attach some emotional value to items and be reluctant to chuck them, but in the end you likely won't miss them.

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Ongoing work -

A minimalist lifestyle is an ongoing process. Clutter will always find its way back into your life, but it’s your job to tackle and get rid of it.

But clutter isn't the only habit you can get rid of to be happier!

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