Decluttering

  • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport: 5 Lessons to Tame Technology

    Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport: 5 Lessons to Tame Technology

    “I finally finished it!” my brother told me on a train headed to the north of Germany. By “it,” I could tell, he meant Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. Not just because I had recommended the book to him a few months prior, but also because there was a smugness in his voice that probably…

  • A Non-Minimalist Guide to Curbing Impulse Purchases

    A Non-Minimalist Guide to Curbing Impulse Purchases

    Of all the advice minimalism sprinkles into the world, I’ve always found one area particularly unsatisfying and one-dimensional: impulse purchases. Conventional tips include: Delay the purchase. Stick to your budget. Shop with a plan. Sure, these things might pamper ascetics or seasoned minimalists, but they never worked for me. Isn’t it the very nature of…

  • ‘The Longing for Less’ by Kyle Chayka: 5 Key Lessons on Minimalism

    ‘The Longing for Less’ by Kyle Chayka: 5 Key Lessons on Minimalism

    I have a strange problem with most content on minimalism: It’s all a bit too convenient. See, the typical minimalist hero’s journey goes like this: (1) discover you feel miserable, (2) blame all your problems on your stuff, (3) get rid of as many possessions as you can, and (4) be happy. It’s a neatly…

  • I Decluttered 3 Boxes of Sentimental Items. Here’s What I Learned

    I Decluttered 3 Boxes of Sentimental Items. Here’s What I Learned

    I had been dreading this moment, although I was unsure why. In fact, I’d forgotten what I would find inside the boxes. I just knew they had been there all this time, taking up physical and mental space — like uninvited guests at a party. I stood there for a while, feeling the cold basement floor beneath…

  • The One Thing People Get Wrong About Minimalism

    The One Thing People Get Wrong About Minimalism

    For years, I completely misunderstood minimalism. I used to think minimalism was about living a frugal life, eliminating as many possessions as possible, and creating a clean aesthetic. Flashy colors should be banished, I assumed. Just like owning multiple versions of the same item, physical book copies, my smoothie maker. I couldn’t have been further…

  • The 0% Decluttering Method: A Radical Way to Simplify Your Life

    The 0% Decluttering Method: A Radical Way to Simplify Your Life

    The 0% Decluttering Method is the easiest, most effective, and fastest strategy for a simpler life I’ve ever discovered. It works for physical and digital spaces and shows immediate effects — usually in a day or less. Here’s the idea: Instead of decluttering a few things here and there, you pack everything away until you arrive at…