New Minimalism

1. Embrace minimalism as a path to intentional living and sustainability

New Minimalism is a call to a mindful, intentional way of living, prioritizing relationships and experiences above material things.

Redefine minimalism. New Minimalism offers a middle path between traditional minimalism and overconsumption. It honors the role of material things in our lives while focusing on intentional living. This approach allows for appreciation of beauty and comfort while prioritizing experiences and relationships.

Benefits of minimalism:

• Actual free time
• Money saved
• Fewer to-dos
• Room for spontaneity

Environmental impact. Minimalism is inherently a form of environmental activism. By consuming less and choosing quality over quantity, you decrease demand for new items and tread more gently on the earth. This approach supports fair trade and locally made goods, promoting sustainable production practices.

2. Declutter by category, not by room, to achieve lasting results

By gathering items within the same category from all areas of your home, you ensure that you fully understand the sheer volume of items you have in a particular category, and you don't have to backtrack to a category you thought was complete once you move into a new room.

Comprehensive decluttering. The category-by-category approach ensures a thorough decluttering process. By gathering all items of a specific category (e.g., clothing, books, papers) from throughout your home, you gain a clear understanding of the total volume of possessions in each category.

Decluttering order:

1. Wardrobe and Accessories
2. Kitchen and Entertaining
3. Household Supplies and Toiletries
4. Paperwork and Home Office
5. Hobbies, Sports, and Toys
6. Sentimental Items and Keepsakes
7. Decor and Furniture

This method prevents overlooking items and allows for more efficient decision-making. It also helps identify duplicates and creates a natural flow for the decluttering process, starting with less emotionally charged categories and progressing to more sentimental items.

3. Identify your archetype to understand your relationship with possessions

The greatest value in uncovering your archetype is that we're going to give you the tools to coach yourself—with compassion and empathy and a little tough love—to let go of the items that no longer serve you.

Four archetypes. Understanding your archetype helps you identify your emotional patterns and tendencies when it comes to possessions. The four archetypes are:

1. Connected (shadow: Clinging)
2. Practical (shadow: Limited)
3. Energetic (shadow: Scattered)
4. Frugal (shadow: Scarcity)

Self-awareness tool. By recognizing your archetype, you can better understand your motivations for keeping certain items and develop strategies to overcome your specific decluttering challenges. This self-knowledge allows for a more compassionate and effective approach to simplifying your life.

4. Create a home that reflects your values and supports your lifestyle

Decluttering is a practice in understanding your values and observing how these values are reflected in your physical space.

Align space with values. Your home should be a reflection of your current priorities and lifestyle. Start by identifying your core values and how you want to feel in your space. Use these insights to guide your decluttering decisions and design choices.

Key questions to consider:

• What is the primary function of each room?
• How do you want to feel in your space?
• What activities do you want your home to support?

By creating a home that aligns with your values and supports your desired lifestyle, you can reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance overall well-being.

5. Simplify your wardrobe for effortless style and reduced decision fatigue

By letting go of every extra project that was in process in her home, she committed to taking on no more than one manageable extracurricular project at any time, helping her maintain a sense of peace and calm at home, which then radiated out to her sense of calm at work.

Curate your closet. A simplified wardrobe can significantly reduce daily stress and decision fatigue. Start by identifying your favorite items and understanding what you love about them. Use these insights to guide your decluttering process.

Wardrobe decluttering tips:

• Select five favorite items to guide your decisions
• Focus on items that make you feel confident and comfortable
• Aim for versatility and quality over quantity
• Consider your lifestyle and daily needs

By creating a streamlined wardrobe of items you love and wear regularly, you can simplify your daily routine and feel more confident in your personal style.

6. Transform your kitchen into a sanctuary of nourishment and connection

The ritual of cooking, eating, and cleaning up after a family meal became the cornerstone of their evenings together. It promoted bodily well-being but also emotional health—connecting to one another and to their food.

Prioritize function. A well-organized kitchen can inspire healthier eating habits and more enjoyable meal preparation. Focus on keeping essential tools easily accessible and removing rarely used or duplicate items.

Kitchen decluttering strategies:

• Prioritize daily-use items
• Eliminate unitaskers and duplicate tools
• Create clear zones for food prep, cooking, and cleaning
• Store items near where they are used

By simplifying your kitchen and creating intentional spaces for meal preparation and dining, you can foster a stronger connection to your food and loved ones.

7. Cultivate mindfulness through the decluttering process

Decluttering your home won't feel complete without also reworking the design of your space.

Practice presence. The decluttering process offers numerous opportunities to strengthen mindfulness skills. As you sort through your possessions, practice being present and aware of your emotional responses.

Mindfulness techniques:

• Notice physical sensations as you handle items
• Observe thoughts and emotions without judgment
• Practice gratitude for the items you choose to keep
• Focus on the process rather than the end result

By approaching decluttering as a mindfulness practice, you can develop greater self-awareness and create a more intentional living space.

8. Let go of sentimental items to make space for new experiences

The deepest way to honor your past is to honor your current self, to love and cherish those around you, and to know all those experiences from your past are inherently a part of you, whether or not a photo of them resides on your wall.

Honor memories, not things. Sentimental items can be the most challenging to declutter, but letting go of physical reminders doesn't mean forgetting the associated memories or experiences.

Strategies for sentimental items:

• Allow one item to represent many (e.g., one photo to represent a trip)
• Create digital archives of important documents and photos
• Focus on how you want to feel in your space now
• Consider passing meaningful items to family members who will use and appreciate them

By releasing the physical reminders of your past, you create space for new experiences and growth in your present and future.

9. Design your space with intention, using existing storage creatively

Rather than imagining how a longed-for space or furniture item might be, we use the existing closet space, furniture, and decor before recommending that our client add anything new.

Maximize existing storage. Before adding new storage solutions, explore creative ways to use your current space more effectively. This approach encourages problem-solving and can reveal hidden potential in your home.

Creative storage ideas:

• Put dressers inside closets to maximize space
• Use vertical storage solutions (e.g., hooks, over-door organizers)
• Repurpose items for new storage functions
• Utilize "dead space" in hard-to-reach areas for rarely used items

By approaching your space with creativity and intention, you can often find solutions that don't require purchasing additional storage items.

10. Establish systems and boundaries to maintain a clutter-free home

If you were looking for the can opener in Cary's kitchen, it would be in the one drawer designated for kitchen tools. That's it. No labeled slot the can opener must be returned to. It's just in the drawer with the six or so other tools she uses all the time.

Create simple systems. Establishing easy-to-maintain systems and clear boundaries for your possessions is key to maintaining a clutter-free home long-term.

Effective organization strategies:

• Assign a specific "home" for every item
• Use physical containers to set limits on categories (e.g., a basket for scarves)
• Implement a "one in, one out" rule for new purchases
• Regularly reassess and adjust your systems as needed

By creating clear boundaries and simple systems, you can more easily maintain the decluttered state of your home and prevent future accumulation of unnecessary items.

Last updated: April 20, 2025