Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. It is about focus, intentionality, and making the most of the one life we have been given.
It is also a growing movement around the world.
But there are many who still misinterpret the term. They think it is about barren walls, cold environments, or empty cupboards. But they are incorrect.
Minimalism isn’t about owning less than you need, it’s about owning exactly what you need.
Correctly applied, minimalism results in more money, more time, more focus, and less stress. It also results in a life of greater joy, greater meaning, and greater significance.
If you are drawn to the benefits of minimalism, but still apprehensive, here are ten things you can do today to test out the lifestyle and live more like a minimalist.
10 Things You Can Do Today to Live More Like a Minimalist
1. Remove one box of clutter from your home.
Minimalists own fewer possessions. As a result, their homes feel more peaceful, more calm, more spacious, and less stressful. You may not be able to declutter your entire home in one day (It took us nine months), but you can make a little bit of progress.
Try to remove one entire box of clutter from one room in your home. And then, notice the difference it makes.
2. Clear one surface.
Every physical possession in our field of vision results in visual clutter. Our eyes naturally gravitate to the things around us as we subconsciously scan our surroundings on a constant basis.
Find one surface in your home that you can clear entirely (a bathroom counter, a coffee table, a shelf, or a nightstand) and remove everything from it. Notice the clear surface. Now, imagine that feeling throughout your entire home.
3. Don’t buy anything and put $49 into savings.
The average American spends almost $18,000 a year on nonessentials. If you want to take one small step toward living more like a minimalist today, don’t buy a single nonessential item. Then, put that $49 into a savings account. Tomorrow, do the same thing. You’ll be surprised how quickly your savings account will fill up when you stop buying stuff you don’t need.
4. Go for a long walk.
Walking is good for the soul and the body. It provides opportunity to think and reflect on life. If you want to live more like a minimalist, go for a nice long walk today.
Notice how wonderful it feels to have some extra time in your day to breathe and relax. And while you walk, consider the direction of your life and if you’re living to your fullest potential. Would removing some distractions allow you to focus more on things that matter?
5. Turn off the notifications on your phone.
Minimalists work to remove distractions from their day—whether it be unnecessary possessions, unnecessary appointments, or unnecessary notifications like email or social media (or even texts).
For the rest of the day, turn off all notifications on your phone except for phone calls (even text messaging). See how it changes the feel of your entire day. Tomorrow morning, turn on just the notifications you actually missed.
6. Eliminate one obligation.
Minimalism extends beyond physical possessions. It sparks intentionality in all areas—relationships, habits, and your schedule.
Today, eliminate one obligation from your life that you do not enjoy or does not further your greatest passions and pursuits. Make the phone call, send the email, cancel the reservation… whatever you need to do. Reclaim your time to live the life you desire to live.
7. Make up one game with your kids.
Studies show us over and over again that fewer toys are beneficial to our children. Advertisements may tell us the newest toy will result in a better childhood for your kids, but that’s simply not true. Fewer toys consistently provide opportunity for deeper play and imagination to develop in your family.
So grab a few toys and make up a new game (such as an obstacle course) with your kids tonight. You’ll see the value of less, and have a great time too.
8. Wear your favorite outfit.
It’s true, most minimalists own fewer clothes than other people. But not because owning fewer clothes is a sacrifice. Just the opposite in fact. Owning fewer clothes means everything hanging in my closet is my favorite. There’s nothing I’d rather wear than my favorite outfit every day.
Today, wear your favorite outfit. Notice what you like about it. And then, imagine a world where you get to wear that every day.
9. Turn off your television one hour earlier than normal.
Because minimalists have embraced a more intentional approach to life, they remove unhealthy habits. For me, removing television was one of the most important. And while I still sit down to watch sports with my son or an occasional series on Netflix, television is no longer a focal point of my life. It no longer robs me of life and potential.
Tonight, turn off the television one hour earlier than normal. Use the free time to talk with your spouse, write in a journal, go for that walk, or go to bed an hour earlier. Almost anything you choose will be more worthwhile.
10. Do one thing you love.
The greatest thing about minimalism is that it frees money, time, and energy for your greatest passions. This is the greatest benefit—a life lived focused on the pursuits that result in true happiness, joy, meaning, and fulfillment.
So today, do one thing you love. And then, imagine yourself doing more of that every single day from here on out. And you’ll get a small picture of why people continue to flock to the message of minimalism.
Minimalism isn’t about living a boring life detached from reality. It is about rejecting society’s version of reality and living a focused, intentional life on your own terms.
Try out just one or two of these small steps today—and begin experiencing what the rest of your life can look like. You’ll love minimalism and you’ll love owning less.
Mayur says
I have just started the Mission Declutter but since i stay with parents who have exactly opposite view of stuff, i am finding it difficult to go. I have stuff collected over 4decades old lying in a box which is not even taken out
Janet says
Perfect advice!!! I love every step especially #7. So much fun to use your imagination and play.
Success Triangles says
Our family is undertaking a 30 day purge challenge this month.
Each day, we have to pick one item and put it in the purge pile. At the end of the month, we’ll decide what to give away, sell, or trash. My pile is the biggest so far ;-)
Kris K says
Thank you so much for this post!
Nancy D. says
Love this post – reminds me of the infinite benefits of changing our diets vs going on a diet. Your suggests all move the needle in our lives in a positive direction for a new way of managing and experiencing life, rather than a short term fix with a short term goal. Thank you
Gareth says
Hi
How much TV time and TV game time do you allow your kids to play per Day?
Im really trying to figure out a balance for them to help our new minimalism life style we are ttying to create for our family.
Thanks
Betty says
Hes says instead of buying that outfit for 49.00…go to the bank and put it in savings. Hes saying people waste 18,000 a year. Its true…you are spending it anyway. So use that money to save instead. Huge will power.
Jean says
Joshua- Thank you so much for writing this post- it spoke to me for sure and so much so that I printed out a copy to read as a daily reminder to myself to stay on track-especially the one about spending on nonessentials! Thank you again!
Mollie says
Really great tips on how to live more simply. We love putting aside the toys and reading books or playing on the floor with our kids. It’s so much more creative and fun for them.
Judy says
I really like this post, Joshua! It’s easy and refreshing.
Thank you—-
Sandy W says
I have to say I find the promises of saved money and time very frustrating. Using an average to state the benefits does not address the fact an average is made up of people on a very wide spectrum. People like myself are not included. I have clutter but I have not spent a dime on it. I also don’t spend anytime cleaning it or organizing it. Looking at cleared off dressers or night tables puts my husband into a tantrum. We don’t have any money so I collect other people’s cast offs. Everything is organized when it comes in the house. A lot of it is not necessary but when there is no money, the “ I might need it some day” is a reality. Many many times I have used those things from my clutter. My problem is where to draw the line. I am not going to save money or time though.
Sunshine says
How do you avoid cleaning and maintaining the clutter? I want to know how to do that! I hear you on having other peoples clutter-gifts, free cast offs etc. To me, it doesn’t matter where it came from-if it’s clutter it’s clutter. It sounds like you are using everything though. So does it feel like clutter to you? If you are organized, everything has a place, it’s being used, with a few emergency back ups that you have room to store, maybe you don’t have clutter. I think you will know when to draw the line by how you feel. When stuff becomes a burden, it is too much. This is the beautiful thing: that’s when you get to start blessing someone else with things, and I love the chance to do that!