(Natural News) Do you ever feel stressed, obligated, worn down, anxious, or held down? The material things and the obligations in your life can contribute heavily to these feelings of dissatisfaction.

You might think that having less will make you poor, unsafe, or unprepared. Minimalism isn’t about being poor and living like a bum. No, de-cluttering, owning less, being organized, and staying focused can invite feelings of joy and freedom into your life. When you begin to feel this way, your life will change, opportunities will come, and you will be satisfied with your path.

And it’s not all about material things, either. Simplification might be needed in your weekly schedule, your digital obligations, your thought life, or even your relationships.

If you’re feeling stressed or worn down, help yourself now by cleaning out your entire life, from the thoughts you hold, to the things you do to please others, to the mountains of stuff that are piling up in your closet. Inspired minimalism is when you confront yourself about the people, places, and things in your life. You push yourself to take an honest look at what brings you joy and you find a better place for those things that are no longer serving your priorities.

Prioritize and set visions

The first step toward an inspired life is to make a vision board or a list of priorities that you want to follow first in your life. Print it out and put the list where you can see it and act on it every day. Also, make a list of the places you want to go and things you want to accomplish in the next five to 10 years. Set your sights. Now it’s time to prepare your home, your mind, and your schedule to reinforce your priorities and make your dreams a reality.

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Get on a written monthly budget

Get started by writing out a detailed budget that is unique to the upcoming month. This will help you see where your dollars are going, where you are currently spending your financial energy. Find out where you are overspending and question why you need the things you buy. If you have a shopping addiction, this is where you stop the bleeding and begin saving your financial energy.

Going through your things, one category at a time

The next step will occur on a week-to-week basis. Each week, you will address a specific category in your life. These categories may include the following: literature, digital items, decor, kitchen items, office supplies, clothes, pantry/emergency preparedness, tools, furniture, etc.

Hold or touch each item and decide if that item has a purpose, or if it brings you joy. If you haven’t used the item or find no joy in it, get rid of it. Use online selling groups or a local resale shop to get rid of items and make money doing so. What cannot be sold, you should donate or give away. Go through items in each category on a week-to-week basis so you don’t become overwhelmed.

Throw away thoughts that are sabotaging your joy

Next, it’s time to purge your thought life. Your mind can be like a cluttered closet. Why do you feel so negatively toward that one person? Were those bitter, controlling, and competitive thoughts put there by someone else? Why do you continue to hold on to them and let them bring you down? Like material things, you should grasp each negative thought and decide if it has a purpose or if it gives you joy. If it doesn’t, you may need to throw it out with the trash and get new perspective in your life.

De-clutter your schedule and stop trying to please everyone

Are you doing things to please others? Don’t do things out of obligation or sacrifice. This can lead to feelings of resentment. Keep a simple schedule that puts your priorities first. You won’t be able to truly serve others and give back to the world if you’re life is a chaotic mess, and you’re always pleasing everyone else first. Everything in your schedule should be evaluated, like you did with the junk in your closet.

Do a digital purge

Finally, you should do a digital purge. Make a list of all the digital accounts, emails, and social media that you use. Delete accounts you are no longer using. Consolidate accounts that can be merged for a similar purpose. Monitor and cut the amount of time you are spending on social media and start using that time more wisely to make your goals a reality.

Sources include:

MindBodyGreen.com

PenguinRandomHouseAudio.com