As someone who’s been practicing minimalism for years, I can tell you that it’s okay to break the rules from time to time.
Most people agree with the principle of “quality over quantity”, and so do I—most of the time. But there are exceptions, and it stems from a fascinating experiment.
The one-in, one-out rule is relatively simple: anytime you bring something new into your home, you should also take something out.
I know that some hardcore minimalists say you should never keep sentimental items, but I do, and here’s why. Sentimental items are only clutter if they come between you and the life you want.
Many people believe that the first step is to dump everything out of your closet, your drawers, or whatever space you’re decluttering.
They suggest you declutter anything you’re keeping “just in case” if you can replace it for less than $20 and in less than 20 minutes from your current location.