Here are a few tips that help me to easily go through my belongings and get rid of them. Maybe some of them will be helpful for you.

- Keep things visible. Leave those closet doors open all the time. Pile things in a visible location.

- Get rid of something every day. This doesn’t replace the tasks of hauling off loads of stuff, but it’s my favourite way to keep up the momentum. Even if it’s just something small, it helps you stay on target. Anyone who has blown up a Death Star knows how important it is to stay on target.

- Make a time line. Every project should have planned bite-size milestones that make the larger project possible.

- While you’re in the moment of feeling motivated about your trip/goal, get rid of some stuff. It’s a bit tedious of a task, so relating it directly to what you’re motivated about is key.

- Come to terms with getting rid of it all while you are away from your stuff. Go sit on a park bench, or in the bus station, for awhile and imagine what a life is like where you don’t have things to go home to. They’re a big part of our lives, so try to create a positive association in your mind to being without them.

- Find the disposal solution that works for you. I personally think that finding new homes for items I like is kind of fun. And it feels much better than throwing things away. I also like to think of the friends I give things to as my victims. I pretty much make my own fun.

- Dispose of things in waves. For example, I have a hard time getting rid of t-shirts. So once a month I would go through and toss about 10% of them. Sometimes I would be more keen and do more, but each time I got closer and it became easier.

- If your preferred disposal method is becoming a hindrance, just throw the stuff out. In some places it is impossible to find a charity that will come get your stuff. And sometimes Ebay is more hassle than it’s worth. So if trying to do the right thing is becoming your excuse, then it’s trash can time. There are no excuses for not making your project milestones. Git ‘er done.

- Keep a trash bag out in the middle of your home at all times. It should be super easy for you to throw away stuff so you have no barriers or excuses.

- Don’t buy any more things, damnit. No seriously, stop it.

Well, that’s pretty much how I roll when the time comes to abandon ship. What about you? Do you have any good tips for aspiring minimalists?

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// shawn

photo credit: podolux

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