10 Things You Can Do Today to Live More Like a Minimalist

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.