What is a Minimalist Lifestyle?
A minimalist lifestyle can differ from person to person since we all live different lives. There is no right or wrong way to live a minimalist lifestyle.
A minimalist lifestyle is choosing to live with less of what you do not enjoy and more of what you do enjoy. When you remove things that do not bring you joy, you focus more on what truly matters.
You can apply minimalism in all areas of your life, not only on possessions. Below are a few tips to get you started.
15 Tips to Start a Minimalist Lifestyle
- Know your “Why”
Changing some areas of our lives from one day to another may be difficult, but having a “why” can make it much more manageable. Having a “why” will help you refocus on the type of life you want when you start to feel like returning to your old habits. There are many reasons why you might want to enjoy a minimalist lifestyle.
- Save money
- Become debt-free
- Spend less time cleaning
- Overwhelmed by clutter
- Enjoy more time with family
- Become a stay-at-home mom
- Less time organizing
- Value time over money
- Live simply
The list can go on and on. These are just a few.
- Declutter
Decluttering is part of a minimalist lifestyle. Here, I am only talking about possessions in your home, removing items you do not use or do not enjoy and keeping only items you use and love.
Decluttering can take time since items come in, even if not us buying items, but they come in as gifts. Start small in areas of your home that might be easier to declutter, like your kitchen.
You can also do The Minimalist 30-day declutter challenge created by The Minimalist Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. On day one, you remove one item; on day two, remove two items; on day three, remove three. Keep doing that for 30 days; by the time you are done, you should have removed over 500 items from your home. I suggest doing this challenge every month if you are short on time or lack motivation.
Related posts
How to Declutter Your Bathroom and Finally Keep it Organized and Clutter-Free
How to Declutter Your Kitchen and Keep it Clean and Tidy
15 Simple Tips to Declutter Your Bedroom for Better Sleep
- Know that you have enough
When we stop and realize that we already have enough, we change our mindset, which can help us stop consuming. We already have enough clothes, skincare, makeup, home decorations, etc.
When you want to buy something, stop, think, and remind yourself that you already have enough. Doing so will help you save money and avoid bringing items into your home that create clutter.
- Delay instant gratification
When we find ourselves bored, we tend to scroll online and make an online purchase. This can also happen when we decide to walk around in stores. We see something we like and make a purchase. We need to learn to delay instant gratification.
One way is to find something else to do when bored. It can be a walk outdoors, call a friend or family member to catch up, or enjoy one of your favorite beverages.
Also, you can delay instant gratification by planning where else you can use the money in the future that will be more beneficial. You can use the money to pay down debt faster. Pay for a more significant purchase or a vacation.
- One in two out rule
Along with trying to declutter and stay minimal, you can also do the one-in, two-out rule. Anytime you bring one piece of clothing in, you need to take two pieces of clothing out.
The same can be done with other items in your home. Doing this prevents you from creating a cluttered space whenever you bring an item into your home.
But keep in mind the end goal of trying to stay minimal and avoid shopping to shop.
- Enjoy the empty space
As you are decluttering and trying to stay minimal, you should enjoy the empty space left when removing items from your home. Old artwork that you once enjoyed but is no longer your style. Bulky furniture leaves you with less walking space and takes you time cleaning the furniture.
At first, you might feel weird with the empty space, but after a while, you will get used to it and enjoy that space.
So, avoid the temptation to fill empty spaces in your house to avoid a cluttered look.
- Quality over quantity
We think we are saving money by buying lower quality and less expensive items, but we are wasting money.
When purchasing, buy quality over quantity to avoid purchasing a similar item again. Buying better-quality clothing can also prevent these pieces from ending up in landfills.
Since they are low quality, they do not last long enough to donate, giving them a second chance for someone else to enjoy.
- Avoid buying in bulk
Some items may need to be purchased in bulk to save money, especially if you have a large family. But when you can, avoid buying in bulk to avoid creating a cluttered home.
When you buy in bulk, you can forget what items you have and repurchase items, which can waste food and money.
- Reduce consumption
There are many ways to reduce consumption. Start with a few and add more as time passes to help the environment, reduce clutter, and save money.
You can refill a bottle of water and avoid buying plastic bottles.
Before making any new purchase, try to look for items gently used or secondhand.
Switch to reusable products instead of one-time-use products.
- Live within your means
You probably already know how much your total expenses are each month. Your spending and savings should be less than your monthly income.
If we need to purchase an item with a credit card and cannot pay the card in full by the end of the month, we cannot afford the item.
Also, if you plan on making a big purchase, you should save and delay the purchase till you have enough money.
11. Avoid trends
Trends always come and go all the time. I have never been the type to shop for trendy items, so this came easy for me. You should buy what you like and feel comfortable in.
The same goes for furniture, decorations, and bedding. Buy what you want, and enjoy your home.
You will be happier and save more money.
- Let your family know
Letting your close family and friends know when trying to live a minimalist lifestyle would be best.
Let them know before any special occasion that may end up with you receiving a gift, for example, a birthday or Christmas. I told my family I did not need gifts, just a text or in-person hug.
They may insist so that you can ask for something consumable or a gift card to your favorite restaurant or coffee shop. This will prevent you from bringing more items into your home.
- Do not worry about other’s opinion
Not everyone will understand when you start on a minimalist journey at first, and that is okay. We all have different goals in life; if your goal is to save money and live minimally, do not worry about what others think.
- Stop overcommitting
We live in a time when everything is about being busy and on the go. With work, house chores, family, and friends, we have no time for hobbies or to do things we enjoy.
We should try to do what we want and not feel bad when we need to take a rain check or cancel a get-together with family or friends.
- Learn more about minimalism
Minimalism has many benefits, and the more we learn and apply it to our lives, the sooner we can start enjoying a minimalist lifestyle.
One of my favorite minimalists is Joshua Becker. You can find him on YouTube or his website, BecomingMinimalist.com.
I highly recommend reading one of his best-sellers, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life.
You can read my post How to Start Simple Living Now with 15 Tips.
Final Thoughts
A minimalist lifestyle can help you create a life that you truly love. Your priorities will shift from wanting material possessions to doing what you truly enjoy.
You don’t have to follow the crowd and live a life like everyone else. You may have thought that having more things is better, but minimalism can show you that you don’t actually need all those possessions to improve your life or make it easier.
Personally, minimalism has helped me pay off my debts faster and allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom.
Let me know in the comments if you have already embraced the minimalist lifestyle or plan to do so.