How to add value to life by making it simpler

1. Reduce the amount of personal belongings

Jennifer donated about 70% of her clothing to various non-profit organizations. Once she thought that many items of her wardrobe had been lying idle in the closet for several months. And in order not to litter the place with unnecessary things, she began to conduct an audit once a month and get rid of unnecessary things. Gradually, she reduced the number of shoes, bags, books, utensils, electronics and art in her home.

I thought that I would regret some of the things I gave up, but after a while I can honestly say that I don't even remember everything I got rid of. This suggests that the objects to which we seem to be attached are actually not so important to us.

Jennifer T. Chan

2. Turn off all notifications on your phone

The only notifications Jennifer receives are about new SMS from loved ones. As for her e-mail, news, social networks and all applications - all notifications are disabled in them.

3. Stop using social media on your phone

“A few weeks ago, I removed Twitter, Medium and Quora from my phone. And then I realized how often I hung out in them - on the subway, in the elevator, or even on the go - as soon as I felt bored. I wanted to free myself from all this. And finally I succeeded. I began to feel more involved in the real world,”says Jennifer.

4. Replace paper books with electronic

Jennifer reads an average of four books a month. And in order not to accumulate waste paper in the house, she either takes books from the library, or buys them electronically.

5. Understand your finances

One of the most important consequences of the transition to minimalism is the elimination of excess consumption. Previously, Jennifer used credit cards, roughly calculating how much she needs per month. She now uses a simple money management system that has allowed her to pay off more than 80% of the loan in two years. It includes budgeting, saving money for a rainy day, and investing in index funds. Jennifer also ditched credit card payments for her daily expenses in favor of debit and cash.

I not only learned to manage my finances competently, but also got rid of the anxiety that plagued me. The decision to buy fewer things and invest in self-development and self-education gradually led me to the realization that I already have everything I need.

Jennifer T. Chan

Of course, minimalism is not for everyone. There are low-income people who also lack the things that they have. But minimalism is not about white walls, expensive staples, and eye-catching Instagram photos that delight aesthetes. It's about changing your mindset. Ability to drop unnecessary things in order to see the essence of things. Turn off music and listen to silence.