5 simple life changing minimalist habits you can start incorporating into your daily life!
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Becoming a minimalist has been an ongoing journey for me for the last couple of years and I’ve learned a lot since then. One major thing that I learned is that stuff always seems to pile up if you’re not careful! Even after major decluttering, there is always more unused stuff that can start to pile back up in your house!
This is especially true if you live in a tiny space, such as myself. I live in a 240 sqft fifth wheel trailer, so it is literally a tiny house on wheels! I am always looking for new ways of creating extra space as well as ways to simplify my life. Forming the following minimalist habits has been truly life changing for the better! These 5 habits are now part of my weekly and daily routine in order to maintain a minimalist life-style. It has really made cleaning and chores so much more enjoyable! Interested in forming some of these same habits? Then just keep on reading!
1. Cancel Email & Magazine Subcriptions
Not only do these add meaningless clutter to your life, but they also may tempt you into shopping unnecessarily. Think of all the sale ads you get on the daily! I know I certainly struggled sometimes and it made me feel like I suddenly needed something or I would miss out! The same goes for magazines as they have tons of ads and sales to get you to shop. Try to unsubscribe from these in order to master shopping only when you need to or for things that you actually love and find meaning in. On top of that, make sure that you tackle your inbox and delete read emails that you won’t be needing anymore. This also helps you find those sneaky emails that you might have missed and still need to unsubscribe to!
2. Know What You Have
Knowing what you have in your home is so beneficial when it comes to avoiding clutter. When you are aware of what you have, you are more often reminded of where things are and you are more likely to get use out of those things. You will also quickly start to notice when things don’t really serve a purpose in your life anymore. Create a habit of going around your house about once per week. Look in all bedrooms, closets, and cabinets. This is also a great opportunity to go through things and organize them! When you notice something you haven’t used in a while, maybe it’s time to let it go or replace it. Sometimes you might also find things that you forgot you had and could start getting more use out of!
3. Shop Only When Necessary
Although I also find shopping very enjoyable, it’s so important to realize that “shopping” should not really be a hobby, at least in my opinion. Making sure that you are only shopping when you are out of something or need a replacement is key when it comes to minimalism. While I am primarily talking about clothing and house items, this also includes groceries! I have been guilty in the past of going to the grocery store to buy a few things that I fancied but didn’t actually need. This can create food and money waste, which is totally avoidable when you are intentional about your purchases! I have a whole other blog post where I talk more about things to stop buying to live minimally.
4. Fix and Reuse When Possible
The fourth tip is to fix things whenever possible if it is something that you know you will continue to get use out of. For example, if you have a shirt with a missing button, replace it instead of donating it. If you have a furniture piece that you no longer enjoy, maybe consider painting/staining it to give it a new look. Similarly, you could try restyling old clothing to create different, fresh new looks. However, if it is something that you know you can’t re-purpose or wouldn’t enjoy doing so, go ahead an let it go. After all, the goal of minimalism and simple living is LESS stress not more!
5. 1 in, 1 Out Rule
The 1 in, 1 out rule is simply just that. You purchase something, you declutter something. Adopting this rule into your lifestyle is such an efficient way of reducing clutter and helps you appreciate everything you have much more. For example, the next time you are thinking of purchasing a new pair of jeans, you will ask yourself:
Do I really need this? How is this pair different/better than another pair I already own? Do I need to replace an old pair of jeans? Am I willing to give up an old pair for this one?
This rule has been so beneficial in helping me make buying decisions and ensures that I get enough wear out of clothing and use out of other items. I think it’s truly a rule to live by even your goal is to just stay organized!
These 5 life changing minimalist habits will set you up for success on your minimalist journey. Check out my other blog posts on minimalism if you are new to minimalism and are looking for more ways to live simply, sustainably, and intentionally:
