A guide to achieving a fulfilling minimalist lifestyle
By Cora Gold, Editor-in-Chief of Revivalist
Minimalism focuses on what’s most essential and letting go of what’s not. Most people only apply it to decluttering or designing, but its very core can actually inspire how you manage your time, money, energy and other resources in your life. With the right minimalist habits, you can have a very fulfilling life. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Adjust Phone Notifications
How many times have you picked up your phone from a notification and accidentally spiraled into scrolling on social media? To remedy this, adjust your settings to only show the most important messages and calls. That way, you get fewer distractions throughout the day and focus on staying productive.
2. Set Screen Time Limits
It’s okay to reward yourself with a little screen time. However, an excessive amount of it can negatively affect brain health and make it difficult to sleep. Make sure you set a limit on your most-used phone apps. You should also try to be disciplined and not bypass those limits.
3. Unsubscribe from Unnecessary Emails
A cluttered email box can hinder your productivity. You might even be missing out on important emails that actually matter. Take an hour to go through your email subscriptions and remove any unwanted content. You might be surprised by the number of newsletters and notifications you can get rid of in a short amount of time.
4. Find a Low-Spend Hobby
Minimalist hobbies that cost little to nothing can help you stay busy and happy at the same time. For example, doing coloring books or jigsaw puzzles can provide you with a bit of brain exercise. If you want to head out, schedule a trip to your local library. You can also dip your toes into practicing photography, bird watching or stargazing.
5. Use a Commonplace Notebook
A commonplace book can help you write down any information that you want to record. It’s a great alternative to keeping separate notebooks for recipes, poetry, finances, interesting thoughts and more. You can still organize the journal however you like, but putting them all into one book can create a collection of everything you treasure.
6. Have a No-Buy Period
Minimalism also means refraining from adding excessive items into your life. Having a no-buy period can be a great practice to manage your money better. You can still pay your essentials like the bills and groceries. However, being more frugal with trips or indulgences can be a powerful reset.
7. Be Economical with Your Utilities
Meet your savings goals by finding ways to reduce spending utility-wise. For example, opting for a shower instead of a bath can lower your water bill. Swapping to LED lights can also help you save $2,000 to $4,000, depending on their lifespan. You can also opt for natural ventilation methods like opening a window instead of turning on the air conditioning.
8. Take a Walk When You Can
Taking a walk is peak minimalism. You can run errands and buy exactly what you need without ordering extras. You get to declutter your mind while you head out to your route. Plus, it’s basically an exercise that requires zero equipment or gym memberships.
9. Create a Capsule Wardrobe
For your clothing, try to curate a capsule wardrobe. This trend means you’ll have about 30 to 50 clothing items, but you can go more or less depending on what you already have. Just focus on keeping basic yet versatile pieces you can mix and match. For accessories and jewelry, keep whatever you desire to style up the final outfit.
10. Give Away and Donate What’s Unused
If you have a larger closet, whittling it all down to a smaller collection can take some work. However, you can have some peace of mind knowing that you can give those pieces a second home. Plus, you’d be helping out someone in need.
11. Pack Food and Water
Ordering food and beverages while you’re out and about can cost you more than you think. Save eating out for more important occasions and pack some food and water instead. These are a lifesaver on regular workdays — just make sure that the portions help you feel full and satisfied. After all, if you’re still hungry at the end of your meal, you may end up buying food outside anyway.
12. Try Meal Planning
Meal planning can be a great way to save time and prevent food waste, making it a must in any minimalist household. You can focus your energy on dinner plans since it’s easy to mix and match ingredients for breakfast options like yogurt bowls, sandwiches, salads and the like. Try coming up with a few ideas in advance, and don’t be afraid to waterfall some if needed.
13. Build Your Own Command Center
While a command center may sound intimidating, it’s actually just a really functional way of collating all kinds of planning and tracking tools. For example, you can add a calendar, shopping list, meal plan, habit tracker and sticky note reminders on top of the fridge.
14. Clean As You Go When Cooking
If you’re the type of person who feels overwhelmed with a full sink, consider cleaning as you go when you’re cooking. Those little pockets of minutes where you’re supposed to let your dish boil or stew are prime time for washing and organizing produce bowls, cutting boards and more.
15. Get Good Quality Items Over Gizmos
If a knife can do it, don’t buy it. This kitchen mantra can help you filter out what new gadgets to get. With so many advertised products to make your life easier, people often end up buying things they don’t really need. Investing in one good item and skipping the novelty gadgets can help you save up on costs, storage and even cleaning time.
16. Buy Nice, Not Twice
Similar to the knife philosophy, prioritize quality over quantity with all other belongings in your home. For example, if you’re buying cheaper shoes that break, a replacement would double the cost and storage. Buy well-made ones from the get-go and focus on maintenance.
17. Buy One Replacement for One Item
Speaking of replacements, buy only one item for each broken or missing belonging. If you rip a sweater, some people see it as an opportunity to buy two or more. However, that can be an unnecessary impulse buy, and you’re risking clutter. Avoid being too indulgent and simply focus on what you need.
18. Put Things Back Where You Got Them
Putting things where they belong is another cleaning minimalist habit that sounds simple but can be incredibly impactful. People often take items and put them down once they’re done using them. Unfortunately, doing this repeatedly can leave items scattered around the house and increase cleaning time. Prevent that by placing things where you got them.
19. Use Organizers to Give Items Homes
It can be tough to put items back where they belong when they’ve never really had a dedicated space in the first place. Consider using organizers to arrange your items and give them a home. That way, you’re creating a connection that those objects belong there. You can refer to that memory when taking and returning them for a task.
20. Shop with Essentialism
Adopting an essentialist approach before going on a shopping spree can help you focus on what you truly need rather than giving in to your wants. For example, try keeping a list when you’re grocery shopping. Aside from staying on budget, you make sure you get everything you need without any sneaks.
21. Wait Three Days for Your Wants
Treating yourself can be good. However, for more significant purchases like clothes, gadgets and the like, consider sitting with the decision for 72 hours. If you still want it after that period, go ahead and buy it. You can also wait 30 days before checking in with yourself to make sure you’re sure of your wants.
22. Ignore the Discounts and Incentives
Discounts and incentives can make a purchase more attractive. But the reality is that these perks can return over time, even when they say it’s for a limited time only. Try not to get swayed by these marketing tactics and unwittingly buy something you didn’t need.
23. Don’t Accept Everything That’s Free
Say a relative is trying to give away a piece of furniture for free. While it is a pretty good deal, you didn’t plan on getting a new couch or table, and you don’t even have the room for it in the first place. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean you need it.
24. Remember to Purchase with Intention
When purchasing items, try to make sure it’s with intention. Simple steps like ensuring it’s within budget, knowing how you’ll pay for it and understanding how long it will be useful can help quantify how helpful it will be. It’s also a chance to slow down and reevaluate whether it’s urgent to get it. You could also check whether you already have a tool that serves the same purpose.
25. Use Up What You Currently Have
If you already have a skincare or cosmetic product, try not to get swayed by new trends. Instead, focus on using up only what you already have. If you still want to try it when you’ve finally run out, then you can make the purchase.
26. Have a Concise To-Do List
Having too many tasks on your plate can make it difficult to know what to prioritize and what not to. Try to keep your to-do list minimalist, with only one or two important goals. If you have extra time afterward, that’s when you go for it.
27. Manage Your Commitments
It’s not easy to say no. However, you can focus on practicing boundaries, such as taking your time when replying to texts or proposing a reschedule that works better for you. Keep a minimalist schedule so you’re not too overwhelmed.
Engage in Minimalist Habits
Becoming a full-fledged minimalist may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, focusing on what you value and letting go of distractions can be key to living in a way that you love. Adopt the minimalist habits that resonate most with you and change your life for the better.
About the Author
Cora Gold has a passion for writing about life, happiness and sustainability. As Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine Revivalist, she loves to share her insights and find inspiration from others. Follow Cora on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.