Enhance the quality of your life with these 12 minimalist habits. Best minimalism tips for people looking to simplify their life while still maintaining quality standards.
In a world full of hustle, clutter, and constant noise, the allure of simplicity has never been more appealing.
As a wellness enthusiast, I’ve been focusing on building a life that is a combination of quiet, simple, but most importantly – minimalism.
When I first heard of the term, I wasn’t interested enough to delve deep into it.
I dismissed it as yet another social media trend that promised to transform people’s lives but was actually hard to pull off.
But true to its name, minimalism is easy to adopt and implement, and after living by its principles for some months, I’ve realized it isn’t overrated at all.
The more time I spend focusing on what truly matters in life (which is one of the strong pillars of minimalism), the happier I find myself being.
Before I dive into the minimalist habits that have enriched my life, let’s take a moment to understand minimalism.
What Is Minimalism?
Minimalism is a way of thinking and living that focuses on keeping things simple and clutter-free.
It’s about valuing quality over quantity and only having what you truly need or really love.
This applies to your physical items (like possessions and decorations) as well as to how you manage your time and commitments.
Minimalism encourages you to let go of excess stuff and distractions so that you can have more space, time, and mental clarity for the things that really matter to you.
In today’s age, we are surrounded by an overwhelming number of choices.
Minimalism can help you narrow down your choices to the things and people that resonate with your truest self.
It’s about cherishing the beauty of less, finding contentment in the essentials, and crafting a life that’s not just simple, but sweet too.
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In this blog post, we look at 12 minimalist habits that will help you shed the unnecessary and build a more profound connection to the world around you.
Read on to explore the art of minimalism and transform the way you approach your surroundings, relationships, and even your own self.
12 Minimalist Habits You’ll Love
1. Do Some Organizing Every Day
I used to schedule an organization day once a month until I realized that it wasn’t very sustainable.
I’d end up with a disorganized place within a week, and then dread having to go through the whole process all over again.
So, I decided to do my organizing in chunks and pieces by taking 15 minutes each day to organize a particular area of my life.
And I must say this trick has been working splendidly for me.
Staying organized is the best way to ensure there is minimum clutter around you and that all your belongings are being used efficiently.
It also creates mindfulness and intentionality in your way of living.
Take a few minutes each day to declutter a small area of a house or to organize a messy area such as your drawer, a shelf, or your digital folders.
This simple habit will help you kickstart your minimalism journey on a productive note without breaking a sweat.
2. Digital Minimalism
Being minimalistic is all about simplifying every single area of your life, and the digital world is a big part of that.
All of us are freakishly connected to our phones and computers, which comes with its own plus points and headaches.
If you want to stop your digital life from seeping into your personal life, then it’s best to apply your minimalist habits here as well.
Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists, delete apps you rarely use and organize your digital files for a cleaner digital environment.
Limiting your digital consumption wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Set specific times for checking social media and avoid mindless scrolling. This will free up time for more meaningful activities.
Also, do yourself a favor by unplugging before bed and creating a calming bedtime routine that doesn’t involve screens.
This will help you unwind at the end of the end and improve your sleep quality.
3. Make Your Social Media More Positive
Your social media world has more impact on your life than you might think. It can be both good and bad, but you can maximize the good parts by minimizing the bad stuff.
Social media shouldn’t control you when you have the option to have it the other way around.
The best way to go about this is to unfollow the influencers and people on social media who make you feel not-so-good.
This may include former friends or people who you’re simply not in touch with anymore.
This will help you let go of your past and take a step closer to surrounding yourself with meaningful people.
Follow channels and people on Youtube who fuel your ultimate purpose (whether it’s slow living, love, or hard work – whatever your ideal life looks like.)
Most importantly, be authentic in your social posts. Post that goofy picture, ditch those filters,
These are such basic steps, really, but they’ll make a ton of difference to your social media vibes.
When you make your social media platforms align with your true self, your feeds will naturally be more positive and inspiring.
4. Follow The ‘One In, One Out Rule’
For the longest time, I was bitten by the clutter bug that is called ‘I love all my old stuff even if it’s of no use’.
My nostalgic self liked holding onto my possessions, but my room was choking having to store so many pointless thingies.
Now, I couldn’t force myself to part ways with all things at once, so I decided to start slow by adopting the ‘one in, one out’ rule.
It’s quite simple actually. Whenever you bring something new into your space, you must remove an equivalent item.
For example, if you add a new top to your collection, then you have to part ways with an old tee, a sweater, or any top wear that you don’t use anymore.
This trick might not sound very efficient, but it will take you a step closer to a minimalist lifestyle by avoiding the accumulation of unnecessary stuff.
Don’t miss: 15 Lists To Make To Organize Your Life
5. Simplify Your Wardrobe
I know it feels good to have a full wardrobe, but let’s be honest, only about 30-40% of them are clothes that you wear regularly and that make you feel really good.
I just got done organizing my wardrobe as a part of my fall organizing routine, and though it was hard, I forced myself to tuck away anything that I won’t wear this coming season.
20% of those clothes went straight into the charity box. My wardrobe is squeaky clean and 50% lighter now, and it looks so good!
(Sorry if the percentage talk is boring you. Yours truly is a mathematics graduate, and though my degree is collecting dust in a suitcase, I like to show off once in a while with random data that is probably wrong.)
So, to sum it up, simplify your wardrobe by keeping only a limited number of versatile clothing items that you truly love and wear regularly.
6. Focus On One Task At A Time
You can’t be a minimalist and a multi-tasker at the same time. Those two things are poles apart and better off being kept away from each other.
Multitasking leads to a fast-paced life, creating an urgent need to stay busy all the time (even when can afford to sit back and sip on a glass of juice at a snail’s pace.)
And contrary to what it might seem, multitasking wastes more time than it saves.
The more focused you are while doing something (whether it’s indulging in a fun hobby or a study session), the more productive you will be.
And that’s why it’s best to keep your attention on one task at a time and stick to it until you are done.
This will increase your productivity, make you calmer, and cultivate a strong sense of mindfulness in whatever you do.
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7. Schedule Your Me-Time
You know you want to be a minimalist, but this aspiration might get lost in the everyday hustle of life.
That’s why you need to sit down with yourself every single day for some quality me-time.
This is the best thing you can do to separate yourself from the external world and get in touch with your thoughts.
Dedicate a specific time each day for quiet reflection, meditation, or simply being alone with your thoughts.
Sip some tea, read a book, or indulge in some fun minimalist hobbies.
Your quiet time will fill you with joy and peace, reminding you why you are aiming to be a minimalist in the first place.
Check out: 51 Best Solo Date Ideas To Make You Love Yourself
8. Journaling
I’ve fallen in love with many good habits in the last two years, but journaling has been absolutely life-changing for me.
It was on the pages of my journal that I realized I didn’t want to pursue my master’s and wanted to explore my creative writing spirit instead.
If I hadn’t communicated with myself through journaling, I probably wouldn’t have this blog today.
More than simplifying your external life, minimalism is about creating internal balance, and journaling is a soulful activity that can help you with your mental health.
Dedicate a journal for self-reflection, and use it to write down your thoughts, goals, and realizations. It’ll help you declutter your mind and nurture a positive attitude.
With regular journaling, you’ll be able to get your priorities right and surround yourself with things that are of true value to your inner being.
Bookmark now: 45 Journal Prompts For Personal Growth – Discover Your Best Self
9. Mindful Purchasing
When it comes to being a minimalist, the things you buy in your everyday life and how you consume them matter a great deal.
We’re looking to surround ourselves with items that we truly love and that can serve us well. So, you absolutely need to be mindful of your purchases.
Before making a purchase, ask yourself if the item aligns with your needs and values.
Remind yourself of the golden rule to focus on quality over quantity, whether it’s regarding your food, products, or clothes.
Be wary of shopping in sales unless you’re seasoned in grabbing items that you know you’ll love.
Invest in items that are well-made and will last longer. A pair of superior-quality jeans is better than two pairs of average jeans that don’t fit you well and make you uncomfortable.
With practice, you’ll get better at avoiding impulse shopping and choosing quality over quantity in your belongings and experiences.
10. Meal Planning
Meal planning is one of the simplest minimalist habits you can adopt right now to improve the quality of your life.
So many of us struggle with mindful eating and keeping up with healthy eating practices.
Planning your meals in advance might just be the way to finally sort out your relationship with food and be happy with your meals.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my cookies and cakes, but also know that I need red apples to keep my gut healthy.
That’s why I prefer planning my meals in advance to maintain a balanced diet that both my soul and stomach approve of.
By planning your meals, you’ll save money, avoid food wastage, and stick to the eating habits of your choice.
11. Make Your Surroundings More Spacious
I always thought I’d fill my room with loads of furniture and good things.
But that was before I realized that my mental energies are not a fan of filled spaces, even if they are full of quality and expensive stuff. More isn’t always better.
If you are looking to adopt a minimalist lifestyle full-time, then you might want it to be visible on the outside as well, and nothing screams minimalism like empty and clean spaces.
Start by reassessing the furniture in your room, and see if there are any extra vases, tables, or drawers that can be taken out.
Do the same with the rest of your house until you are satisfied with every little and big thing in your home.
If nobody uses the recliner sitting by the window in your living room, then put it on the porch and start using it for your me-time.
And if you rarely use the pen stand on your desk, then store your pens in a drawer and get rid of the stand.
When you look at your space, everything in your sight should make sense.
This is a simple rule for a minimalist home environment, and you’ll love the welcome sense of calm and peace that come attached with it.
12. Practice Gratitude
You could adopt all the minimalist habits in the world, but you won’t be able to stick to them for long unless you have a sense of deep gratitude.
Gratitude is a core habit for a minimalist, one that helps them aim for a richer and happier life instead of focusing on things that don’t matter.
Being a minimalist means appreciating all the good things that you are blessed to have – including your loved ones and your cherished possessions.
You can practice daily gratitude by creating a gratitude list, journaling, counting your blessing every morning, meditating, and expressing your appreciation more freely.
Related: 30 Wonderful Things To Love About Life
Say Yes To A Minimalist Lifestyle
Hola! We just looked at the 12 best minimalist habits.
These are the habits that I personally stick to for keeping my life simple, joyful, and comfortable, and they keep my wellness-loving soul extremely happy.
I hope I was able to convince you to give minimalism a try. And hey, if it doesn’t turn out to be your cup of tea, you can always stop sipping (though I don’t think you’d want to.)
Don’t forget to drop me a comment before you leave. I’d love to know your thoughts on minimalism and all the minimalist habits that I shared with you.
LG says
This is so true. When I’m surrounded by clutter, I can’t concentrate. My mental clarity has improved immensely since I adapted to this lifestyle. I can focus on one thing now. Getting started was hard, who wants to part with things that seem at the time so important. Now, I have NO problem letting go of something. Thankfully and gratefully I’ve learned that “things” aren’t important. People, moments(that I now have time for because I’m not constantly cleaning) and memories are what is important. I wish everyone would try this way of living. It has made me so much happier.
Akansha says
That is so relatable. I was the worst when it came to removing things from my home just because they had sentimental values. I would never allow myself to buy better things thinking the old ones were good enough. But the truth is you always deserve the best, and so it’s okay to declutter to whatever extent is necessary for your well-being. I agree with everything you said, and I’m so happy to know that you are happy! Thank you for all the sweet and important reminders in your comment.
Pam Larson says
I’ve been working on this for a while. Thank you for your 12 tips. The media one doesn’t affect me, so that’s great for me.
Akansha says
That’s so good to know, Pam. I’m happy that you found the tips helpful.