MN Daily MEDIA
2021 Winter Living Guide 13
Makda Araya Minimalism is an art movement that began in post-World War II Western art, most notably with American visual arts in the 1960s and early 1970s. Although this movement began decades ago, it is slowly making its way back. In the past decade, you might have seen more and more YouTube videos, Pinterest ideas and TikToks related to minimalism. This form of art can be a great part of rearranging your space. During this time of year you might be looking to switch up your space and keep it light, as the time of year becomes dark quickly. So, how do you get started? Keep things simple! A minimalist lifestyle involves living with fewer resources, whether in terms of a house or possessions. To start off, try to create a list of clutter to eliminate. We tend to hold on to things we have collected throughout the semester that have no value to us. When creating your list, identify what serves a purpose in your life and what doesn’t. When you do this, you can start to see that not everything that you are holding on to serves you. Another step that can help you out is investing reusables. As
you begin to declutter your home, give consideration to what products could be reused. You could be swapping out your disposable water bottles for a glass reusable one, or even carrying your reusable takeaway coffee cup with you any time you visit your local cafe. Not only could you get a discount for carrying your own cup, you’re also reducing the use of single-use products! Another product that you can use is reusable grocery bags. You might have already seen this at your local grocery stores — many people are starting to bring their own reusable bags. Not only are you saving money by using your own bags, it helps cut down on the time you are at the store. When it comes to clothes, many of us college students fall into consuming fast fashion. A good rule of thumb for knowing which clothes to move on from is to select those which have just been sitting in your closet for about a year. Try to invest in basics when it comes to your wardrobe. Having a good wardrobe in which you have good pieces to wear constantly will ensure you are getting your money’s worth and have an organized closet.
As you get into a rhythm, find a place for any leftover items. Get creative with storage bins and organizers to ensure you can store precisely what you need. If you find yourself having a hard time fitting everything into bins, or things are starting to get out of place — take some time to reflect. You might not have identified everything that doesn’t serve you. Although minimalism might seem kind of scary to get into at first — you will get the hang of it. Practicing these steps as a norm in your life will allow you to create a space where things feel peaceful and you know where everything is!
