Spoiler Alert: There is no one way to become a minimalist.

If you looked at my house right now, you would probably laugh at the title of this post. My house is full of stuff I don't need. But if you looked at my house twelve months ago, you would understand how far I've come on this journey toward a minimalist lifestyle. I used to have a room dedicated to storage. It was full of totes filled with old clothing, knick knacks from high school, books, old computers... You name it, it was hidden away in there. That room is now my new bedroom, and while I still have a messy closet and a junk drawer in my dresser, I have a totally new mindset when it comes to stuff.

Starting is the first step. Don't focus on the myth of the perfect minimalist because that is all it is: a myth. The perfect minimalist doesn't exist because every journey is different and unique. Some people can get rid of 90% of their belongings in a weekend. That's great, but it is unrealistic for a lot of us. We live in a consumer-driven society that tells us we need stuff to be happy. Breaking that belief system is the first and most important step in your journey.

Once you've decided to start your journey, that's it. You've already started. The key for most of us is to start small. Start with your junk drawer or a cabinet overflowing with pots, pans, glasses, food... Whatever it is, you don't want it to overwhelm you or else you may stop before you've really gotten started. I started with my closet because I knew there were items I was ready to part ways with. Look at each item and determine whether you currently use it or whether it sparks joy in you. If neither of those things is true, it is probably time to sell, donate, or trash it. (Of course, trashing it should be your last resort. Always sell or donate when you can.)

The second step is to do it at your own pace. Again, don't try to live up to the perfect minimalist myth. You're already moving in the right direction by moving at all, so take your time if you need to. It may take you weeks, months, or years to get to where you want to be on your journey – and, even then, the journey never really ends.

The truth is, you will have to buy more stuff. Things break, clothes rip... It's a neverending cycle. But, as you continue on your journey, your mindset will change. You'll start to look at items different. Does it spark joy? Does it have a place in your home? If the answer to either of those questions is no, you probably don't need it. If there is something that you don't need but you really, really want, write it down and wait a few weeks. Then go back to it. If, after those few weeks, you still want it, give yourself permission to buy it.

Remember that there is no right or wrong way to be a minimalist. Any step forward is progress and it is never too early or too late to start.