How to Start a Minimalist Lifestyle

Today, I am sharing my top 10 tips on how to start a minimalist lifestyle.

Living a more minimal and simplified life doesn’t need to be hard. It’s actually quite easy to get started!

Monthly Spending

Look at what you are spending your money on. This is a quick way to see if you are spending your money on extra stuff you don’t need.

When we first decided to become minimalists, I looked at our bank account and wrote down all the purchases that brought stuff into our lives.

This isn’t about saving money, although it probably will save you money over time. It’s just about tracking how many things are being brought into your life each month.

Stop Shopping (for a while)

Try to stop shopping. Of course, we all need to buy necessary items and food, but see if you can go without buying any items.

This is such an important step that almost no one talks about. Most advice focuses on decluttering. But if you want to be more minimal, it’s also about stopping the flow of stuff coming into your life.

One tip that helps is to make a list of the things you think of buying. Every time I think of something, I add it to my list.

Set the list aside, and if I feel I still need/want the items after a month, I will buy them.

Clear Off The Counters

Try to clear off all the flat surfaces in your home. Even if you can’t bring yourself to get rid of the items, clear them off.

This will give you a feel for what minimalism would look like in your home.

Give it some time and see how you feel. Maybe you will want to add a few things back to your counters, but I found I loved the clean look.

Read: 30 Home Hacks That Will Improve Your Life

Entertainment

Find ways to entertain yourself that don’t involve shopping or going to any stores.

I have found that staying away from stores altogether helps the most with staying minimal.

Finding new ways to keep yourself entertained in your free time is your best bet. This could be going for a walk, trying a new recipe, reading, going bowling, having friends over, etc. 

Limit Social Media

Most people on social media are pushing products. I find this way more influential than even seeing an ad on the app.

When my favorite creator talks about a cute new outfit they got, it makes me want to get it too.

This doesn’t mean you have to stay away forever, but in the beginning stages, it’s hard not to want things. 

Simplify Your Day

Minimalism isn’t just about stuff. It’s about simplifying your life. 

Look at what you do every day and see if there are some things you can cross off your list.

Declutter

You knew this advice was coming! Start decluttering.

You don’t have to declutter your whole house in a day. Start slow and declutter one tiny section at a time. 

Build up your decluttering muscles until you are good at it. Begin in an easy area like the bathroom.

Any place where you aren’t connected to things and get rid of the stuff you aren’t using.

Read: 20 Super Easy Things to Declutter

Reframe How You Think

Most of us are programmed to think, “What do I need?”

We go into a store, look around, and think about what we could buy. Instead, think about everything you have.

Whenever I need to shop, I always think about what I already have at home. Before I buy something, I question if I already have something that could do this job.

I already have a hat, do I really need another one?

One in One Out

Use the one in, one out policy at all times. This means every time you bring something new into your home, something else needs to leave your home.

Doing this simple task will keep your home at its current level of stuff. Of course, the goal is to have less stuff, but if we use this policy, at least we know our stuff is not growing.

Adjust

Give yourself a break and adjust to this new way of thinking slowly. When I first found out about minimalism, I jumped into it really fast.

I decluttered about 50% of our stuff and essentially thought we should live with nothing but necessities. Over time, I realized I could make minimalism work for us.

We could still have decor on our walls, we could still have a variety of clothes to choose from. But we could also avoid all the extra stuff we didn’t use.

Keeping the things we love and use and getting rid of the rest. Read 10 Ways a Minimalist Lifestyle Will Change You

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