3 Minimalist Habits That Improved My Life Immensely

 

When I was a little girl, I loved to collect things. I had a rock collection, a sticker collection, a seashell collection, and even a hair tie collection.

However, as I grew older, my interests and hobbies expanded. I developed passions for basketball, endurance running, and fashion. My collections grew, and my tiny closet was suddenly overflowing with basketball shorts, purses, and running shoes.

My bedroom constantly looked like a tornado had torn right through the center of it. I struggled to find my pale green carpet underneath the mounting piles of stuff, most of which I didn’t need and rarely used or wore.

By the time I finished high school and headed off to college, I vowed that I would never again live in a state of disorganization and chaos. I wanted to become more of a minimalist, and not just with my stuff.

So, I made some changes, adopted a few key habits, and ultimately, improved my life in a number of positive ways. The following are three minimalist habits you can adopt today that will help you do the same.

1. Do this to your closet.

Every three to six months, I think it is a good idea to go through your closet and get rid of the items you no longer wear.

Whether you purchased something that never fit quite right, or you’re simply still holding onto the blue blouse that is hanging in the same spot it was in sixth months ago, you can likely find at least a few pieces of clothing to get rid of. This is something I like to do at the end of the winter and summer seasons, when the weather is about to change dramatically.

And if you think a single declutter session once every five years will do the trick, that probably isn’t the case. In fact,

“Often it will take a number of decluttering sessions before you achieve a level of possessions that you are comfortable with. It doesn’t just happen once and it’s done, it’s an ongoing process.”

Plus, your unused pieces aren’t doing any good just sitting in your closet collecting dust. They would be better off going to a new owner who will actually get some use out of them. In order to accomplish this, you can:

• Sell the pieces on a phone app like Poshmark or Mercari
• Donate the clothing to a local thrift store or shelter
• Give your pieces to a neighbor or friend

Not only do these methods have the potential to decrease waste, but they can also help those in need, especially if you choose the donation option. You will free yourself of clutter and improve someone else’s life at the same time.

2. Don’t make this crucial mistake.

Buying things you don’t need can be tempting, especially if you have just purged a bunch of stuff. However, it’s a mistake you need to avoid if you want to live with less clutter and save money.

Instead, adopt the habit of making mindful purchases. Whenever I decide I want to buy something, I go through a little mental checklist, and ask myself the following questions:

• Will this purchase help me in some way?
• Will this purchase make me happy?
• Is this item something I have been wanting for a while?
• Is it unlike anything I already own?

If I go through this checklist, and I still feel confident in buying the item, then I will make the purchase. Being more mindful with my purchases has not only helped me save a lot of money, but it has also helped me avoid unnecessary clutter and live a more minimal life.

Avoid impulse purchases, and you too can save some serious cash while maintaining a less materialistic lifestyle.

3. Do this every single night.

Before you head off to bed at the end of the night, make an effort to clear your countertops. This also applies to your desk space if you work from home.

This is a minimalist habit that I adopted many months ago, and it has improved my work productivity immensely. I personally can’t work in a cluttered space, and waking up to a clean desk ensures that I get my day started off on the right foot.

Similarly, it feels incredible to head down to the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee and see a clean space with spotless countertops.

The state of your living and working spaces can have a much greater impact than you might think. In fact, Harvard Business Review states that:

“Our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions, and behavior, affecting our decision-making and relationships with others. Cluttered spaces can have negative effects on our stress and anxiety levels, as well as our ability to focus, our eating choices, and even our sleep.”

Therefore, this third minimalist habit of keeping your physical environments clutter-free, neat, and organized is especially crucial for optimizing your overall health and happiness.

Final Thoughts

Minimalism isn’t just about staying organized. It’s also about being mindful of the way you live.

After adopting the habits shared, I have been able to consistently avoid mental and physical clutter, which has given me the space to live a fuller, happier life.

When you get rid of deep ties to material goods, you have more room to focus on what really matters, like relationships and memories. By living a more minimal lifestyle and choosing quality over quantity, you will ultimately be able to focus on the things and people who matter most.