Minimalism is a lifestyle choice that encourages us to move away from excesses, consumerism and materialism.
Instead, it brings us closer to a simpler lifestyle, with fewer objects
and leads us to have a freer mentality.
But where to start?
Today, through this video, I want to take you step by step on the path of minimalism.
6 simple steps, just for those who are brand new, that will help you change your life for the better!
Hi and welcome back to this YouTube channel Ciao Valentina,
the channel where we discuss sustainable and responsible travel, minimalism and personal growth.
So, let's start with our very first step and perhaps the most difficult of all
because here we will put our self-analysis skills into practice.
1) Enter the right mentality
Minimalism must not be forced or imposed, it is a decision that each individual makes
when they are in the right moment to face this new way of life.
When you feel that everything around you starts to become too much:
the clotter of the house, the people around you, the confusion, the traffic.
Well, then I think this is the time to get rid of the superfluous and
that which doesn't make us feel good, to feel freer and lighter.
I will give you a personal example. If, in 2013, when I had just arrived in London,
dazzled by the “new”, by the lights and by the hectic life, someone had suggested that I go into minimalism, I would probably have looked at them very oddly.
In 2013, but also in the following years, I wanted to live large, enjoying the excesses of life.
I was economically independent and bought everything I liked without asking too many questions. I had dinner out 4 times a week if not more, big social life.
So, going into minimalism in 2013 would have been like putting myself in prison alone.
Then things changed over the years. I had had the experiences I wanted and it was 2019 when I entered this new lifestyle.
If I would have started earlier, It would not have been such an amazing experience.
This is to tell you not to go into minimalism just because “it is fashionable".
Analyse yourself and understand if you are in the right mentality or not! Everything in its time.
But only you know if it's the right time for you or not! It is a personal process that begins in our depths.
2) Evaluate what you are going to gain or lose
Here I reconnect to point one. I do not think that by taking the path of minimalism you lose something.
If you are not in the right  state of mind, you can feel bored after a few months or depressed to open a half-empty wardrobe,
or enter a shop without being able to buy. Do you understand what I mean?
So here, at the very first hurdle, you will lose serenity and you will lose the beauty of this path.
Or, you can understand that by taking on this new lifestyle you are going to gain more space around you, be it in the closet, or in the kitchen etc.
Or maybe minimalism will give you more time to devote to yourself and friends who are worth it, rather than spending time with the wrong people.
Personally, and I'm sure ths has happened to someone else, my path was not planed, but as mentioned in one of my previous videos it was a survival instinct.
I had to say enough and slow down, with everything!
3) Get rid of excess
Once you have decided to take this wonderful path, let's do some cleaning.
When I decided to make this video, I wrote down the various stages that I personally went through to get to where I am.
We start with material things not because they are more or less important than other things
but because they are what you can touch with your hands.
And once you arrange your material things, such us wardrobes and drawers, it's like ordering ourselves.
Tidying up our soul, our emotions, our ideas.
And suddenly we feel freer, lighter, more motivated to do things and to tidy up those other little things in life
that maybe we've been talking about tidying up for a while.
When we tidy the house we create a sort of movement within us that leads us to change other things in our personal life. Like a domino effect!
This are all nice things to say but, where do we start decluttering?
Decluttering is an English word that means eliminating all that is not needed.
I advise that you start at the closet which is perhaps the most representative of all places in the house.
Decide what you want to keep and what you can get rid of. But be honest with yourself!
And the I suggest you move on to the underwear and stockings drawers.But, once again, be honest with yourself!
Obviously, I advise you not to get carried away with the idea to do everything is one day
because you risk being devastated. A little at a time and enjoy every single moment.
So, after having decluttered the wardrobe, and the various drawers I suggest you move on to the bathroom.
Creams, make-up, half-finished or half-open nail polishes.
Tidy up these things!
Finish the ones you have already opened and keep the others in different spaces.
You men, maybe have less to do! Usually women are the worst with cosmetics!
Then sort out your admin papers, and tidy up everything into folders.
If you are like me, you might have a drawer full of these admin paper!
So, open that drawer and tidy those things up!
If you have to show your contract, you know where it is!
then carry on to the kitchen.
Tidy up fridge, freezer, cupboards etc!
Personally, I left my shoe collection until last.
As a shoe lover this was the most difficult for me but I had to be honest with myself.
4) Where to throw the things I got rid of?
I don't like throwing things away, in the sense of throwing them into garbage bags.
So what I did was to ask friends and relatives if they needed something of the things I was throwing away.
I sold some unwanted things online, there are various apps but also websites.
Other things that were not worth selling online, I put them outside the house.
I don't think this is something that is done in Italy, at least I don't remember ever having done it when I was still living in Italy.
Here in London, when you don't want something, you put it on display in front of your home and  passers-by may take it for free.
Last year the tree in the garden had made so many apples that I put them in front of the house in a basket. People passed and took them.
Maybe a nice idea to start putting into practice in Italy too.
Some things I have left with second-hand stores or charity shops.
5) How to behave after decluttering?
After cleaning and eliminating, we must remember why we took this path. The sense of freedom is very strong.
Whenever we decide to buy something new, we have to ask ourselves if we bought it because we need it or on a whim.
Personally, when I go out with my friends, I still walk through Oxford Street among the various shops.
Do I go into the shops? Yes, I go into the shops because maybe my friends need to buy something and I go in with them!
Do I buy in stores if my friends buy? No, because I don't feel the need for it.
Do I feel inferior or do I feel like I'm missing out on something if 3 of them buy and I don't?
Absolutely not, because I know myself and I am happy and satisfied like this.
This is to say that if you decide to take this path you don't have to suddenly give up everything for fear of falling into temptation again!
If your mind is strong and secure, you will feel free to walk everywhere, even among the best fashion stores,
because your values will be stronger than temptations.
Let us remember that minimalism is not giving up but freedom, awareness and serenity.
6) Let's not forget the needs of others
Last but not least, the others.
Just because we have changed our lifestyle doesn't mean that the whole universe must change with us.
Let us remember that each of us is in a different phase of our life and must be absolutely respected.
If you live with other people, do not obsess them with the idea of having to change because you will create the opposite effect.
If you are in the decluttering phase, focus on your things and not on those of the whole family.
Well guys, these are my tips to take this path that I find beautiful
but of course I hope you find your personal path and savour every single step towards change.
See you next week!
And of course, don't forget: live, travel, laugh and repeat!
