Minimalist Teen's Guide to Minimalism
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Minimalist Teen's Guide to Minimalism
9 Step Journey into Minimalism

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Overcome your fears

Acknowledge them, address them, and let go of them. 😌
After I finished unpacking my essentials over a week, I got rid of everything still in boxes. This ended up being 90% of my belongings.

It’s Not Easy

Deciding to get rid of my things was hard. Following through on that decision––taking that leap of faith––was hard. Committing to a life with less was hard. I had so many fears. During my journey, I wrote in my notes:
I feel guilty getting rid of presents from friends. What should I do? What if I disappoint them? Make them angry?
I don’t want to let the money I (or my parents) spent on clothing, makeup, things go to waste.
I’m afraid I’ll forget the happy experiences associated with the things I bought.
I don’t want to be judged by my peers for having less.

Looking back, I have a hard time grasping why I was so scared of my peers’ judgment. After I wore the same white t-shirt and blue jeans in high school for 2 years in a row, I asked some of my classmates what they thought and the majority simply replied that they hadn’t even noticed! It was certainly a reminder that most people are so busy worrying about themselves/their appearances that they don’t have time to judge yours.

Fear

This step is for those of you who are doubting if you’re making the right decision. Let’s be honest, it’s probably all of you. What got me to overcome my fears was to acknowledge them, address them, and let go of them.
“The truth is you already have everything you need. Look around—you’ll never need more than this.” ーJoshua Fields Millburn
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👉 Your Turn: Overcome Your Fears!

(1) Acknowledge your fears
Ask yourself the big question: What am I afraid of? Are you afraid...
of getting ridiculed or judged?
that the people around you may stop loving you?
disappointing the people you love?
of offending people?
that you will look stupid or go broke?*

(2) Address your fears
Ask yourself: Why do I fear? Why are you afraid to get rid of your things? Examine your intentions.
(3) Let go of your fears
Ask yourself: What is the worst that could happen?
When I finally let go of all of my fears––which looking back were frivolous and misguided––I was finally able to recognize that until I was happy with what I had, no amount of money, achievement or belongings would make me happy.

Choose to...

grow.
change your life.
rid yourself of your fears.
fully commit to your life’s plan.
move on with a meaningful, deliberate life... a life in line with your principles and objectives.
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Need more encouragement? 💪
Check out your
Must List
⁠
and your
Life’s Plan
⁠
. Remember, you want this! Take that leap of faith. You got this. 😤
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➡️ Next up: Step
Let people know
⁠
.

⁠
Your Progress
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: You’re over halfway there!
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😲 Did You Know: 1 out of every 10 Americans rent offsite storage—the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades.
[10]
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*: I pulled these fears from
Day 6
⁠
of the Minimalists’ 21-Day Journey into Minimalism series.
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