30 Simple Ways to Gradually Implement Minimalism

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

6 minute read

Do I need to say this again? Minimalism isn’t about living with nothing—it’s about living with less of the stuff that clutters your life and more of what brings you joy. If that sounds amazing—maybe a little idealistic—yet a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. You don’t have to sell all your worldly possessions and move to a cave (unless, you know, that’s your thing… like Batman… that’s Batman’s thing). Instead, let’s talk about 30 simple ways to gradually implement minimalism in your life, one manageable step at a time. No need to panic—no drastic changes required.

We’ve lived in Japan for almost four years, so minimalism is something I notice regularly. It’s all around me. But this is minimalism on your terms.

I even included the estimated time each thing will take so you know what you’re getting into before you start any of these.

Let’s get into these bite-sized tasks to help you start a minimalist lifestyle.

1. Clear Off a Single Surface (5-10 minutes)

Pick one surface—desk, coffee table, kitchen counter—and clear it off. Put everything away or toss it if you don’t need it. Then, marvel at that beautiful, empty space.

2. Create a “Donate” Box (15 minutes)

Find an old box or bag and start filling it with things you no longer need. Set a timer for 15 minutes, and when it’s up, whatever you’ve collected goes to charity.

3. Unsubscribe from 5 Newsletters (10 minutes)

Go to your inbox and find five newsletters you never read. Unsubscribe. Trust me, the sense of freedom is amazing.

4. Do a Wallet Purge (5-10 minutes)

Dump everything out of your wallet and only put back the essentials. Do you really need those six coffee punch cards from 2016? Nope. You do not.

5. The 10-Minute Closet Cleanse (10 minutes)

Set a timer and quickly go through your closet, pulling out any clothes you haven’t worn in the last year. Stick with your gut feeling—if it doesn’t spark joy, it’s gone.

6. Digitize a Pile of Papers (20 minutes)

Scan or snap pictures of receipts, notes, or documents cluttering your space. Once digitized, toss the paper version. Minimalism loves decluttering!

Unfollow people, groups, or pages that no longer interest or inspire you. Social media can clutter your mind, so gradually reduce the noise.

8. One-in, One-out Rule (ongoing)

From now on, for every new item you bring into your home, get rid of one old item. This gradual approach is a powerful minimalism hack for keeping your space in check.

9. Create a “To-Don’t” List (10 minutes)

List tasks, habits, or activities that drain your time and energy without adding value. Then… just stop doing them.

10. Minimize Your Coffee Mug Collection (10 minutes)

How many mugs do you really need? Pick your top two or three favorites, and the rest? Bye-bye.

11. Delete Apps You Don’t Use (15 minutes)

Go through your phone and delete any apps you haven’t used in a month. Less clutter on your phone equals less clutter in your mind.

12. Cancel Unused Subscriptions (20 minutes)

Check your bank statements or app store subscriptions for services you no longer use or need. Goodbye random subscription to that magazine you forgot existed.

13. Do a Book Purge (20 minutes)

Go through your books and donate the ones you’ll never read again. Minimalism isn’t about owning fewer books, but it is about keeping only what brings you joy.

14. Minimize the Bathroom Counter (15 minutes)

Your bathroom doesn’t need to look like a beauty supply store. Toss expired or unused products and keep the essentials.

15. Turn Off Notifications (5 minutes)

Turn off non-essential notifications on your phone. Do you really need to know every time your cousin posts a cat video? Gradually reclaim your focus.

16. Reduce Junk Drawer Chaos (10 minutes)

Everyone has one (or three), but they don’t need to be overflowing. Pick one junk drawer and throw away anything broken or irrelevant.

17. Simplify Your Keychain (5 minutes)

Why are you carrying around that key from your childhood house? Keep only the keys you use regularly—your pocket will thank you.

18. Ditch the “Just in Case” Items (15 minutes)

We all have those things we keep “just in case.” Challenge yourself to let go of at least three items that fit this description.

19. Cut Down on Email Clutter (15 minutes)

Delete or archive old emails you no longer need. A clean inbox is like a clean room—it’s peaceful and uncluttered.

20. Simplify Your Kitchen Utensils (20 minutes)

Do you really need three different cheese graters? Keep the utensils you use regularly, and donate the rest.

21. Minimize the Media Collection (30 minutes)

Sort through your DVDs, CDs, and video games. If you haven’t used them in years, it’s time to let them go (or digitize them).

22. Create a Capsule Wardrobe (1-2 hours)

The capsule wardrobe is the ultimate minimalist goal for your closet. Start by choosing versatile, high-quality pieces you love, and donate the rest.

23. Declutter Your Digital Desktop (20 minutes)

A chaotic computer desktop is just as bad as a messy home. Organize your files, delete unnecessary ones, and enjoy the clarity that follows.

24. Start a Minimalist Morning Routine (ongoing)

Cut out unnecessary steps from your morning routine. Gradually reduce the time spent on things that don’t bring you peace or productivity.

25. Organize Your Sentimental Items (30 minutes)

Instead of keeping every memento, choose a few items that truly matter. The rest can be photographed and donated. Less clutter, same memories.

26. Tidy Your Car (15 minutes)

Your car doesn’t need to be a second storage unit. Clear out everything except the essentials, and maybe give it a quick vacuum while you’re at it.

27. Create a Minimalist Meal Plan (1 hour)

Simplify your meal planning. Focus on a few go-to meals you love, and gradually eliminate the ones that require 37 different ingredients.

28. Minimize Notifications on Your Smartwatch (10 minutes)

Gradually cut down on unnecessary pings and distractions. Let your wrist be free from constant buzzes!

29. Simplify Your Hobbies (20 minutes)

Pick one or two hobbies that bring you the most joy, and scale back on the rest. Diving deep into a few passions is better than stretching yourself too thin.

30. Set a “Stuff” Budget (15 minutes)

Establish a limit on how much “stuff” you allow into your life each month. This gradual approach to limiting purchases is a minimalist goldmine for keeping clutter at bay.

Don’t You Feel Better?

There you have it—30 ways to gradually implement minimalism without feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to remember that minimalism isn’t about depriving yourself. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. It’s about gaining freedom, focus, and joy in your life. Just start with one small step at a time, and you’ll notice the benefits build up. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert at living with less—and you might even find it’s more rewarding than you ever imagined. Then you can help other people do the same.

30 Simple Ways to Gradually Implement Minimalism