One of the best things about living life unbound is the ability to get away from so many trapped feelings that controlled my life before. Becoming self-employed has been one of the best things that I have ever done. It’s definitely the harder road, but sometimes I think I prefer that because I’ve found I grow more.
Being in charge of my own day-to-day life and being able to hone my destiny on my own terms, is something I cherish. For once in my life I can honestly say that I do what I love and I love what I do.
There is no boss to approve new ideas. No office politics. No alarm clock. There is just me doing my thing how I want to do it and wherever I want to do it.
But before you get the idea that I’m an internet billionaire who sits on the beach, I will tell you that I work very hard. Being an entrepreneur is definitely the most challenging job I’ve had. See, now that I write my paycheck, I only get paid when I work. Is it still worth it? you ask – and my answer is an unequivocal YES!
I think many self-employed people become minimalistic by default. Two of the major realizations I have had since I started working for myself and started embracing a minimalistic existence, are that:
My Time and Money Supports My Lifestyle
When we start out in a career, most people want to be in control of their time and money, rather than being controlled by it. Life is no longer a rat race.
It’s Better to Invest in Experiences, Rather Than Things
Some things improve the quality of life, while others hamper it. Experiences, on the other hand, can be taken with you forever.
3 Ways to Embrace Minimalism Right Now
Clutter is one of the biggest time wasters. It is distracting, and it hampers focus and thought clarity. A less cluttered life will give you more contentment and make you feel calm and stress free.
So today I’d like to share some tips with you on how you can become minimalistic too. You don’t have to do it all, and it will take time, but every little bit will contribute greatly:
1. Double is Trouble
Step one is to get rid of everything you have too much off. When you hoard things, you run out of storage space. If you have duplicates of anything, get rid of the excess. Sell it, give it to charity or whatever. If it takes up space, you will be thinking about it, struggling to find somewhere to store important things and it will just generally be in your way. I bet someone else would be able to use it.
2. Be Sparingly Sentimental
Do you have gifts that someone gave you years ago, but you simply don’t have a use for it any more? Unless you get value from holding on to the item, give it away to someone else or if it is valuable, sell it and use the money to buy something you do need.
3. Go Paperless
A paperless business and home is truly within your reach. Ask companies to send all your statements, invoices, and bills through email, or access it online. If they insist on sending it through the post, scan it and put it through your shredder.
Photos, music, and movie collections can be stored on your PC, external hard drive, and on Dropbox, to name a few. You can have as many copies of each in a different place as you need to satisfy the sentimentalist in you, as long as it’s digital.
Don’t buy newspapers and magazines offline – most of them offer online subscriptions.
I have also found that the minimalist approach to business has better results.
- Online marketing costs much less, and is more effective than print or offline media advertising.
- Building and maintaining relationships online with clients via VoIP or video chat is instant and practically free, saving both time and money.
- Outsourcing work to freelancers is much more convenient than having to manage and pay for an office full of employees and all the equipment needed.
Most importantly, for me, is the way in which my own minimalistic business caters to my needs. I do what I love and I love what I do. That is what a lifestyle business is all about.