5 tips to help you declutter and tidy up that even Marie Kondo would approve of
A guide to minimalism for a new (lunar) year, and new you
There’s something reassuring about starting a new year with a clean slate, in many aspects of life. The days before the Lunar New Year are traditionally a time for for people to bid the old year goodbye by cleaning their homes. This “Day of Cleaning” occurs on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month (this year, that’s January 22).
Whether or not you celebrate the Lunar New Year, or whether your family practises these traditions or not, it’s a good excuse to take some time to declutter your living space.
Keep in mind, there is a difference between organising and minimising. Picking up the things scattered across your bedroom floor and stuffing them into a drawer may make your room appear cleaner, but it would make more of a lasting difference if you were to get rid of things you no longer need in the process.
We know it’s not easy to let go of your belongings, which is why we’ve compiled five practical tips from the book Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki – a man who owns just three shirts, four pairs of jeans, and not much else.
1 Notify friends and followers
Before you begin, let your friends know on your social media accounts that you will be taking on a minimising mission. Take a “before” shot of your room and post it on Snapchat, or keep your followers updated on your progress through Instagram stories.
