A guide to practical minimalism.

Here is my contribution to the #lifehack space:

For every new thing you buy, get rid of at least one thing you own.

Values don’t need to offset. I bought a bicycle so I got rid of some old socks – it’s the practice that counts.

As long as you’re always getting rid of at least an offsetting quantity, you’re on your way.

This rule gets around some of the main problems (I have) with many of the minimalist movements:

1. No need for a big clear out or sorting through all your possessions. What you have now is your baseline – you’ve already started!
2. It’s a small and non-tedious exercise that is manageable, achievable and easily repeatable.
3. The trigger for the practice is easy and likely frequent – every time you want something new.

Your only goal is to find one old thing to offset your new purchase.

With such an achievable goal, in the search for that one thing, you will often come up with a handful of things you’re happy to throw out or donate. 

Most of the time, you’ll end up being net-negative things – which is of course, a positive 🙂