Minimalism is getting more and more popular. In the United States approximately 33 million adults identify as minimalists, and even more express interest in it. It is a lifestyle that focuses on owning fewer things and living simply. Instead of buying lots of stuff, minimalists think carefully about what they need and what makes them truly happy. It’s not about getting rid of everything. It’s about keeping what’s important and letting go of the rest.

Many people choose minimalism because it helps them:

• Save money by buying less.
• Reduce stress by having a clean, organized home.
• Help the environment by creating less waste.

Minimalism isn’t just about things. It’s also about time and energy. By focusing on fewer distractions, minimalists can spend more time with family, friends, and hobbies that matter to them.

Anyone can try minimalism. You don’t have to live in an empty house, just start by asking yourself: “Do I really need this?”

• Do you have items in your home that you never use but still hold onto? What makes it hard to let them go?
• If you had to choose only five things to keep in your room, what would they be and why?
• Have you ever bought something on impulse and later regretted it? What did you do with it?
• Think about the last time you cleaned your room. Did you find something you’d forgotten you owned? What did you do with it?
• How do you decide if something is worth buying? Do you think about whether you really need it?
• Have you ever donated or given away something you didn’t need anymore?
• If your family started decluttering like the one in the story, what would you want to focus on first? Clothes? Toys? Kitchen stuff? Why?