Downsizing has become a popular trend among homeowners who are looking to cut down their living budget. On average, homeowners who have moved into smaller properties report saving approximately a third on their energy bills and maintenance costs. They are also the first to mention the mental health benefits of a smaller home. Indeed, there’s less to manage, which considerably reduces stress and pressure.
However, not everyone is ready to move out. Does it mean you can’t downsize your living expenses and habits? Indeed, it would be foolish to assume that you can only reduce your financial and environmental impacts when you move into a small home. We can all downsize our lifestyle habits with small smart thinking. And this is why I’m downsizing my lifestyle.
Being green is not just good for the planet. It’s good for your wallet too. It’s important to understand that there is more than one way of embracing eco-friendly initiatives. Some choices can be effortlessly implemented without changing your everyday habits. You could switch to a green energy provider, for instance. From a customer’s perspective, you are unlikely to notice a difference, except at the end of the month when you receive your bill. Similarly, if you turn off all electrical appliances when they are not in use, you could also save a lot of money without having to compromise your routine. The standby function on most appliances is a silent electrical vampire that continues to consume energy even though you’re not using the item.
The next step towards downsizing your lifestyle is considering your belongings. We all tend to accumulate clutter, whether it’s stuff we don’t use anymore or items we have fallen out of love with. Why keep them if they don’t serve any purpose?
The decluttering process can help you in more than one way. First of all, it frees your space from the unnecessary mess, which can instantly elevate your mood and your interior. Additionally, the minimalist effort could be profitable. Some households can make money by selling their clutter. Admittedly, in the middle of a pandemic, you may not be comfortable sending items by courier or allowing home collections. You can safely store your items with a service such as Allinselfstorage until you are ready to sell. Alternatively, some items could also be donated to charitable organisations, where they can help struggling households. You may not receive any monetary income through charity, but sometimes, the knowledge you’re helping others is rewarding enough!
You can’t improve your lifestyle if you are not ready to make radical changes. A lot of people feel stuck in wasteful habits that are encouraged by high-stress levels. Think about it: when you’re constantly rushed for time, you tend to choose time-saving solutions. You’ve finished work late, so you order a takeaway because you’re too tired and stressed to cook. Yet, takeaway food drives your costs high and also affects the environment. To downsize your lifestyle fully, you need to learn to slow down. You will make better decisions when you get rid of unnecessary, pent-up pressure.
Today’s the day I’m changing my lifestyle for the better. Saving money and saving the planet deserves to be on top of our to-do lists. But as long as we don’t take the time to question our choices and habits, we can’t establish the hassle-free lifestyle we dream of.
*Collaborative post