The Colors Of A Optimistic World

More happiness through minimalism

Minimalism has two sides that influence each other: The conscious renunciation of unnecessary ballast in any form and the careful exploration of one's own happiness in life. This formula can create a lot of moments of happiness in everyday life! Let's take for example the theme Select outfit in the morning. With a minimalist lifestyle this problem does not arise at all, because ideally all garments fit together, all garments are the favorite garments and thus this decision is considerably simplified. The less actually simple and unimportant decisions we can leave out in everyday life, the more liberated our everyday life appears to us - and it is. This, for example, is one way in which minimalism can make us happy. As we clear out, we quickly realize how little belongings we need to be happy in everyday life. We finally become aware of the importance of a few objects and we give them great value because of their importance and not because of their actual material value. This is how we shape our daily lives so that we are surrounded by our favourite treasures, which are of great importance to us. What does this mean for our emotional world? That we feel true, genuine gratitude because we become much more aware of our environment and are more mindful of our material goods. In this conscious and attentive attitude we regularly feel deep gratitude. Gratitude is the basis of happiness. But minimalism is not only about clearing out, but also about setting new priorities. So the time with our dearest ones can become our highest priority and in the beautiful hours with these dear people lies a great treasure buried: Happiness. But how do these feelings of happiness actually develop? Our feelings come from our thoughts. If we have negative thoughts, we will feel this in our negative emotions. You think you can't influence your thoughts and emotions? Yes, you can! However, this requires a little practice. Every situation in life can be interpreted and evaluated in many different ways. Through this interpretation and evaluation our thoughts arise. Usually these are unconscious and subconscious processes. By concentrating more on what makes us happy on our minimalist path, we also learn to attach more or less importance to situations and to integrate the beautiful situations into our everyday life. This is the optimal way of shaping our lifetime - we fill our lives with happy moments. So minimalism and our happiness are connected. We learn to consciously separate ourselves from negative influences, to make our material and spiritual life more minimalistic and thus to create more space for the things and people that really make us happy. The freedom and self-determination that go hand in hand with minimalism give our lives a whole new dynamic and enable us to perceive and strengthen unknown facets of life. What happiness means to you in detail is of course up to you and a very individual matter. To determine these subtleties for yourself becomes definitely easier through the lived minimalism.

Checklists for more order in the own four walls

In this chapter you will find some checklists to help you clean up your apartment or house. In the case of a larger clearing out action with helpers, it is advisable to hang these lists clearly visible on the door of the respective room, so that everyone keeps track and the whole project runs as effectively as possible. With the following checklists I recommend you to declutter with the red/yellow/green categories! Clearing out is easier when you actually have three large boxes to sort into, each with its own category. This makes the process much easier! Have fun clearing out!

Checklist Study: Minimalism made easy!

- What is your vision of the perfect study? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: A large, tidy desk and a small chest of drawers with neatly arranged paperwork? All right, here we go!

- Empty the study and wipe thoroughly.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- The red categories include: Documents, notices, account statements and letters older than 10 years, advertising brochures, defective cables, useless technology, defective pens and the like.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category includes things that you are not sure whether they will be needed again. In the study these could be old documents and letters. Everything that is older than 10 years doesn't have to be in the yellow category anymore... Sign the calendar that you go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green categories include all electronic devices, writing utensils and current paperwork from the last 10 years. That can be quite a lot under circumstances, so the trick here is also to stow these things as logically as possible.

- Establish an order: Store the paperwork sorted by category and year in a chest of drawers or a beautiful shelf, store functioning pens in a beautiful glass and sort small items using a crate system. It also often helps to keep this order by doing a "To Do Stack" from which you do three things daily. In the study it is not done with a unique clearing out action, here it concerns daily employment!

Checklist Bathroom: Minimalism made easy!

- What does your perfect bathroom look like? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: A beautiful mug with toothbrushes, a pot of homemade toothpaste, a brush, a homemade deodorant, olive oil to cream in, a homemade shampoo, two fluffy towels, a stack of toilet paper rolls and a large antique mirror. The bathroom is coloured in pastel colours and shines with its simplicity!)

- Empty the bathroom (plants, curtains, everything!) and store things in another room.

- Remove broken and/or superfluous furniture.

- Put towels, rugs and similar items in the laundry.

- Thoroughly clean the bathroom - including the light switches, edges, mouldings, windows and the back corners.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- Sort out the red category: Half empty mascara, unused shampoo, dusty perfume bottles, the third hairdryer, expired medication, decorative items, the broken drying hood and the like no longer belong in your bathroom.

- Throw all things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes all items that have been used in the last four weeks. These may now be granted again.

- Establish an order: Things you use every day should be within reach, less frequently used items can stay in the back rows of your shelf or the like.

Checklist Corridor: Minimalism made easy!

- The corridor is chaotic for many people: shoes pile up, deposit bottles, waste paper and dozens of dog leashes can be found there. How would you like to be welcomed home every day? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus!

- Clear the hallway completely empty and store things in another room between.

- Use the free space and clean it thoroughly.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- The red category includes stray keys, bits and pieces, unnecessary decorative items, unused sports items and similar ballast.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again: Spare keys, several umbrellas and bags. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category naturally includes jackets, shoes, linen, house keys, helmets and everything you need for everyday life.

- Establish an order: The trick is to make wise use of the usually small space in the hallway. The best way to do this is with a crate system! So there are no open objects lying around and you always have the overview!

Checklist Living Room: Minimalism made easy!

- What's your vision of the perfect living room like? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: A super comfortable sofa, a big fluffy carpet, a small table, a big ball lamp at the corner, a great picture on the wall, a noble piano and... the war ́s! The dominant colours are pastel shades, beige and dark green. Here is a lot of space for artistic freedom, here can be painted and here is a lot of space for cozy evenings with friends.)

- Empty the entire living room and store things in another room.

- Now wipe through the back corner, in the cupboards/shelves and under the furniture.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- The red category includes inanimate pot plants, unaesthetic picture frames, old newspapers, defective DVDs, obsolete electronic equipment, superfluous cables, bits and pieces, dusty candles and similar unnecessary decoration.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you're not sure if they'll be needed again - possibly a stack of nice magazines. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes everything you need in your daily life in the living room. This may include (full) board games and large comfortable pillows. These things are now allowed to move back into the freshly cleaned living room.

- Establish an order: How about a small box for cables, a box for DVDs, a big plant as an eye-catcher, big pictures on the walls and colours inviting you to linger?

Checklist Dining Room: Minimalism made easy!

- A dining room is the place where people eat, where homework may be done and where comfortable rounds take place. What should this room ideally look like for you? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: Possibly a large table with some candles and comfortable chairs, beautiful pictures on the walls and an unobtrusive lighting is enough!

- Empty the entire dining room and store the items temporarily.

- Clean the dining room thoroughly.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- Things of the red category: Unnecessary decoration, old cushions and the like.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. It is often difficult for us to part with decorative items. Try it without! Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes everything that turns the dining room into a practical yet comfortable room: Noble candles, comfortable cushions and a decorative eye-catcher.

Checklist Kitchen: Minimalism made easy!

- The perfect kitchen offers plenty of space for preparing delicious meals, looks inviting and tidy, right? Many people have an infinite number of shelves, cupboards and wall units to store a wide variety of objects. Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: Two noble shelves on the wall and a small antique chest of drawers.)

- Empty the kitchen and store all the items in another room.

- Now clean the kitchen thoroughly!

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- The red categories include all plates, cups, bowls and the like which have not been used in recent months. How many knives, measuring cups, pots, juicers, mixers, casseroles, scales, spoons and can openers do you really need? You may realize that you no longer need half your storage space in the kitchen.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. Remember, nobody needs four tableware services! Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes regularly used spices, your favourite pots, frequently used crockery and the like.

- Establish an order: The art of a practical and tidy kitchen is to position these things wisely: Frequently used to the front, less frequently used to the back!

Checklist Children's Rooms: Minimalism made easy!

- Depending on the age of the child, the imagination of the child must of course be taken into account. Does your kid have absolutely no sense in muckin' out? Then that's the way it is, because your vision doesn't have to be everyone's vision! Apart from that, the following applies: Hold the common vision in a nutshell.

- Clear out the entire children's room, including curtains and the like. Store the items in another room.

- Now clean the nursery thoroughly.

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ... (take into account the child's preferences!)

- The red category includes broken toys, unsightly pieces of furniture, unnoticed toys and obsolete toys. - Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. These are mostly toys that your child loved a short while ago and now ignores. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes all toys that your child loves and that are flawless. These objects are allowed to move back into the children's room - preferably sorted into boxes, so that children can keep order more easily. These checklists will help you to declutter! Of course, you can add or omit points as you see fit!

Checklist Bedroom: Minimalism made easy!

- The bedroom is a place of peace and relaxation - this is what this room should look like. What's your vision of the perfect bedroom like? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: Cosy light, a futon bed with a high-quality mattress, beige tones, floor-length curtains, comfortable pillows, a few books and most likely a cat.

- First, empty the bedroom completely and store things in another room.

- Wipe even the back corners thoroughly!

- Make any necessary design changes: Paint, install new lamp, ...

- The red category includes decorative items, broken objects, unused sports equipment and similar things that we like to park in our rest zone.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- Now it's time to put the green category away. Apart from a comfortable bed and a wardrobe, nothing really belongs in a bedroom. So: Fluffy blankets, unobtrusive light sources and the like are allowed to move back into the bedroom.

Checklist Wardrobe: Minimalism made easy!

- What does your ideal wardrobe look like? Write your vision on your checklist so you don't lose focus! (Suggestion: A homemade clothes rail from a large branch with many colorful hangers and three noble boxes under it for shoes, accessories and winter equipment.

- Store the entire contents of the wardrobe in another room - don't overlook the things on and under the wardrobe!

- Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of the wardrobe.

- Make any necessary design changes.

- Sort out what no longer fits, what has never fitted, what will never fit, does not fit optimally, no longer looks beautiful and does not let you shine in its full glory. These are all things that belong in the red category!

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

- The yellow category are things you are not sure whether they will be needed again. For example, the fancy shoes from your holiday in Italy, which you actually never wear. Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- The green category includes all the clothes in which you look stunning and which fit you perfectly. Now put these garments neatly back in your wardrobe.

- Establish an order: Which items of clothing should be ready to hand, which items of clothing should be allowed to go all the way back?

Checklist Cellar and Attic: Minimalism made easy!

- The cellar and the attic are the rooms where we store the camping equipment, Christmas decorations, tools, souvenir boxes and the like, which are only used once a year. So your vision should be to sort out everything you don't need for your happiness and used less than once a year.

- Emptying the basement and attic is not really a good idea. Here you prefer to sort everything into labeled boxes directly according to the principle and put the items of the yellow and red categories aside.

- The yellow category are things you're not sure if they'll be needed again, even though the basement and attic are yellow categories in themselves for years, right? Make a note in the calendar that you will go through this box again in exactly 30 days and then make final decisions.

- Green things are for example the diving equipment used annually, the Easter decoration or the inline skates used only in summer! The trick is to sort these things out clearly.

- Throw things out of the red category, sell or give away.

Closing remarks

So, now you have successfully worked your way through this book, taking inspiration for more serenity, happiness, success and contentment. You now know that minimalism is the conscious renunciation of "over- consumption" and that the minimalist lifestyle separates us from the pressure of perfectionism around status and material symbols. What remains is a highly mindful lifestyle, in which we consciously decide to let only really necessary and useful objects enter our lives and to fill our lifetime with meaning. Sinking into the evening in front of the television may then no longer be part of your everyday life - depending on the interpretation and exertion of minimalism - but there are plenty of possibilities in your life. Every day, for example, you have the opportunity to watch the seductive advertising that was so seductive until recently and say, "No, that doesn't fit into my life". Instead, you can devote yourself to the activities and people that contribute to your true happiness. So in minimalism you are very close to yourself, have removed the outer material layers, so to speak, and are now advancing to the core of your ego. In this way, you can freely decide what your life should look like without any outward seduction or influence. Letting go, rearranging and mindful living are the keys to a happy, successful, mindful and loving life. Your time to dedicate to someone or something is the greatest gift you can give, after all, you have no chance of regaining that time under any circumstances. So take care of yourself and make your life free, free yourself from unnatural and unnecessary compulsions and love your life! Make full use of the power of minimalism to achieve your goals and lead a truly relaxed and happy life. Now it is your turn to take the first steps, throw away the everyday ballast from your shoulders and unfold your life spirit anew.