The Art of Minimalism: How to Declutter and Simplify Your Life
A day in the life of a solopreneur is both beautiful and chaotic at once. In a culture pushing “more, more, more”, you may feel the pressure to keep ahead with the latest trends, updates, and business methods that promise to make your life better or easier. In reality, more is not always merrier, not matter what your social feed says.
If you’re overwhelmed by too much “stuff”, whether it be physical items or digital disaster, embracing minimalism could be the solution you need. Banish the clutter, and you’ll see how less really is more.
What are the Benefits of Minimalism?
More clutter isnt just added stuff—studies show it causes more anxiety, stress, and chronic procrastination.
Imagine you’re running a in a race, and your path is crowded by multiple obstacles. You can no longer see the path in front of you or the finish line.
The same applies to actual objects—too much stuff in your physical and digital space can block your progress.
Having a minimalist mindset and space allows you to leave behind what no longer resonates in your life. That means more time focusing on what actually matters to you. Maybe that’s more time with your family or a beloved hobby.
Don’t know what to make room for? The best part of minimalism is it helps anyone clear space to see what does matter to them. Think about it: if you could do one thing without having to worry about time or money, what would it be?
We know you have a vision for your life and business. Minimalism can be the key to a more vibrant life.
How Can Minimalism Benefit Small Business?
We often equate business with growth. But for your business to grow, you need to simplify your surroundings and work life. Here’s how minimalism can benefit any soloprenuer or small business:
Save Money
Less stuff means more money to invest in yourself or your business’ future. Before you make a purchase, think about if it will actually push your business forward, or if it will collect dust in a corner. Have similar purchases been useful in the past? If not, skip it and pocket the extra cash for later.
Make Moves
Need to move into a different office space or location entirely? Having less stuff to move saves both money and time when making the shift. There’s no need to rent a massive trailer or moving truck when you don’t have much to move! And for the things you do need to move? A smaller one will do. (Psst…it’s cheaper, too.)
Not moving, but want your office to be in Rome for a week? Having just a few things to keep your business running makes it possible to make your office anywhere.
Streamline Your Process
Too many subscription services? Too many tasks you’re trying to handle yourself? Sometimes we feel pressured to have and do it all. But you don’t have to do at all to be a worthy, valuable asset to yourself and others!
Consider sticking to one productivity application, like Notion, for your organization needs. Keeping everything in once place makes things easier for you and anyone you may onboard later.
Too many tasks in Notion or another productivity app? Hiring a virtual assistant to handle those “time-suck” tasks leaves room for you to dedicate your time to what makes your business unique.
Declutter the Digital
Small business owners often forget to consider just how much digital clutter can impact their workflow. Extra applications, documents, emails, and tabs disrupt productivity just as much as physical items. Here are a few quick strategies to tame your digital world:
Let’s start with email. Any junk or other messages that are outdated and not crucial to your current workflow should be archived, deleted, or put in a folder outside of your inbox.
Next, manage your stream of emails. How many newsletters did you subscribe to with the full intention of reading every single one of them?
…and how many are still left unopened?
We get it. You want to have access to every bit of information that could help you. But if you’re too overloaded with other emails, they get pushed to the side. Forever.
Instead, unsubscribe from newsletters you haven’t opened or barely open.
If you can’t stand the idea of unsubscribing from newsletters, or have a lot you genuinely enjoy reading, make a separate folder for them or make a separate email specifically for newsletters. No more crowding your main business inbox!
Documents and Files
Now, to all those files in the Cloud, DropBox, Google Drive, or hard drive. Make time to organize the files you need to keep…and ditch the rest.
Create folders for emails that you need to keep for your records. Leave your primary inbox to prioritize current tasks so you can respond promptly.
Applications and Subscription Services
We’re big fans of apps and services that elevate digital presence and make life easier. If an app only exists to take up space, it’s time to let it go. Remember, you can always redownload an app if you need it back.
After you’re done deleting unneeded apps, reorganize your home screen on your phone, desktop, or laptop to get to the apps you need faster. Your device’s storage will thank you!
We’re Here For Your Small Business Journey!
You’ve taken old items to a donation center and cleaned up your physical and digital workspace, but still feel overwhelmed. First of all, we’re proud of you! Taking the step to improve your workspace is an amazing step to the business and life you want.
Still have tasks looming in your apps and inbox? We offer services that complement your business. Best of all? We’ll never ask you to change. Simply tell us how we can part of your team, and we’ll be your support system.
