Clear out clutter to achieve a minimalist lifestyle this year.
Consider adopting a more minimalist approach in 2025—here are nine things you can eliminate to start this new lifestyle.
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Unused Furniture in Storage
This year, take a good look around at the things you keep around the house that you no longer use or need. Whether it’s the folding chairs you keep on hand for parties or your grandmother’s old china cabinet that just isn’t your style, “If it hasn’t been used in years, it’s likely time to sell or donate it,” so you can keep your storage spaces organized and purposeful.
Worn-Out Towels and Bedding:
Are you still using a bleach-stained towel? Those items aren’t doing you any good,” says professional organizer Couri McDougald. “These take up a lot of space and are often not used. Donate or recycle them, keeping only a few good quality sets.
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Keeping an old smartphone on hand as an emergency backup is okay, but do you actually need to hold onto that pink flip phone from your middle school days? “Some stores, such as Best Buy, have electronics recycling programs, and you might even be able to get discounts on new upgrades,” says interior designer Shay Holland, a minimalist who lives in a tiny house.
Donate items to those in need or recycle them responsibly.
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Broken Items
If something is broken beyond repair, it’s okay to let it go. “Broken chargers, old phones, and so on often accumulate. Consider recycling or responsibly donating these items,” suggests McDougald.
Duplicate Items
Think about what you actually use, so take a look through your kitchen drawers and junk drawer. “Questions to ask yourself are, ‘How many spatulas, hammers, or measuring cups do I really need?’ Stick to versatile, high-quality items that can handle multiple tasks, and consider donating or recycling any duplicates.
Unworn Clothing
She suggests taking a look at items that haven’t been worn in a year. Ask yourself if they’re no longer a good fit, if they’re uncomfortable, or if their style just doesn’t mesh with what you’re currently into. Think about donating or selling these items to make room for the clothes you truly enjoy wearing.
Paper Trails
Old receipts, manuals, and printouts can be easily scanned and digitized,” explains Robin. “Apps like Evernote or Google Drive allow you to keep valuable documents organized and easily accessible, reducing clutter and physical storage needs.
In the future, consider making the switch to paperless billing for things like utility and cell phone bills, along with bank statements.
Old Manuals
You might not realize that the manual (along with the manuals for your other appliances) is readily available online. “Most appliance manuals are available digitally,” says Robin. “Get rid of the clutter and bookmark what you need for easy access.”
Please do reach out for help. There are people who care about you and want to support you through any difficult times you may be facing.
According to Holland, when your treadmill is collecting dust or has become a coat rack, it’s time to consider letting it go. “The exercise mat stuck under the couch, unused kitchen appliances such as that blender that symbolized your short-lived 2019 green juicing obsession,” she says. “It truly reduces guilt to throw away reminders of past failed self-improvement attempts.”
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