My life changed when I reduced my possessions. Why a company employee started minimalism.

○ Introduction

"Reducing your possessions will change your life."

At first, I felt this statement was a bit exaggerated.

When people hear the word minimalism, they might imagine:

"Living in a room with almost no furniture"
"Owning only the bare minimum"
"The goal is to throw things away"

I think some people have that kind of image.

I didn't set out to be a minimalist from the start either.

When you live and work as a company employee, your possessions increase without you even noticing.

Clothes, home appliances, daily necessities, documents, and hobby items.

Even if you bought each item thinking it was necessary, there are times when you stop using them as time passes.

So, I decided to start reducing my things little by little.

As a result, not only did my room become tidier, but the way I spend my money and time also changed.

In this article, I will write about why I started minimalism and the changes I felt after reducing my possessions.

○ Conclusion

The biggest reason I started minimalism was:

"Because I wanted to create a life where I could focus on what is truly important."

When you have fewer things, it's not just about your room being tidy.

・Less time spent looking for things

・Less wasteful shopping
・Cleaning becomes easier
・The criteria for spending money change
・It becomes easier to see what you truly value
These small changes piled up, and my life itself became simpler.

I believe minimalism is not about "throwing things away," but about "choosing what is necessary for yourself."

○ Reasons

〜Company employees tend to accumulate things surprisingly easily〜

When you live as a company employee, the things you need for work and daily life gradually increase.

Clothes for work.

Clothes for days off.

Home appliances.

Smartphone-related items.

Hobby items.

Things bought through online shopping.

Even if you thought you needed them at the time, there are things you stop using as time goes by.

And what's scary is getting used to the fact that your possessions are increasing.

"I might use it someday"

"It was expensive, so I can't throw it away"

"It's still usable, so I'll keep it"

If you think like this, it's hard to reduce your things.

So, I started to ask myself:

"Is this really necessary for me right now?"

〜Reducing possessions also changes how you spend money〜

One of the major changes I felt after starting minimalism is how I spend money.

As you reduce your possessions, you develop the habit of:

"Thinking before buying"

Buying because it's cheap.

Buying because it's on sale.

Buying because I feel like it.

These kinds of purchases gradually decrease.

As a result, it becomes easier to spend money only on necessary things.

For me, minimalism was a philosophy that also went well with saving money and building assets.

○ How to practice

So, if you are going to start minimalism, what should you do first?

I don't think you need to throw away a huge amount of things all at once.

I recommend starting with things close to you.

〜① Find things you clearly don't use〜

First, try looking for "things you don't remember using recently."

For example:

・Clothes you haven't worn in over a year

・Storage items you aren't using

・Books you no longer read

・Daily necessities you forgot existed

・Hobby items you no longer use

It's easy to start by organizing these kinds of things.
〜② Don't force yourself to throw away things you're unsure about〜
Just because you're a minimalist doesn't mean you have to throw everything away.
There is no need to force yourself to dispose of sentimental items or things you are likely to use in the future.
What's important is to think about "whether it is necessary for you."

If you're unsure, I think it's fine to put them aside for now.

〜③ Think before you buy〜

It's important not just to reduce your things, but also not to increase them.

When I shop, I try to think:

"Is this really necessary?"

"Can I substitute this with something I already have?"

"How many years will I use this if I buy it?"

Even just thinking a little before buying makes it easier to reduce impulse purchases.

〜④ Look at the purpose, not the object〜

For example, when you think "I want clothes," try thinking about:

"Do I want the clothes themselves?"

"Is there a problem that the clothes I currently have can't solve?"
Once you understand the purpose, it becomes easier to choose only what you need.
○ Summary

The reason I started minimalism wasn't simply because I wanted to clean my room.

It was because I wanted to reduce my possessions and make my life simpler.

And when I actually reduced my things, I started to feel changes such as:

・My room is tidier

・Cleaning is easier
・Less time spent looking for things

・Less wasteful shopping

・I can use my money more carefully

・I know what I truly need

Minimalism is not a life of having nothing.

I believe it is "a life where you choose what is necessary for yourself, by yourself."

That is why you can incorporate it without difficulty even while working as a company employee.

First, try finding one "thing you haven't used recently" in your room.
I think that alone is the first step toward minimalism.
○ A question to the reader
In your house, is there anything you "bought but have hardly used recently"?
If there is, please try starting by letting go of just one thing.
Even just reducing one thing might make your life a little simpler.