These 4 Basic Minimalist Habits Are Easy Enough to Start Today

One of the most difficult obstacles I had to overcome when starting my simple living journey was changing some bad habits I picked up over the years. This included leaving coffee mugs and cups of water everywhere. I swore I’d bring them to the sink later. Tomorrow would come and they’d still be sitting there. Thankfully, minimalist habits are pretty simple switches. All they require is a little mindset work and discipline. Once I got used to the habit, everything else fell into place. Today, I want to share with you some of those habits I picked up.

Here are some minimalist habits I first started using

#1 — Edit your space

This one should come as no surprise. When embarking on a simple living journey one of those minimalist habits you’re going to do is edit your space. And while I did perform a massive edit (Marie Kondo style), you don’t edit your space once and be done with it. To maintain a simple living lifestyle, you need to consistently edit your space. That’s where a decluttering habit will come into play.

My habit involves editing in small increments throughout the month. Since I don't have enough to do a massive decluttering anymore, this is a habit I created. It helps me remove items from my home that don't serve a purpose. This can be expired food, clothing that isn't worn, and more.

Make this habit simple — forgive all the puns. Three times a week. Pick 2-3 days you promise to do a little editing. I’ll spend 15 minutes on a single section of a room. My filing cabinet in my office, my sock drawer in my bedroom, my medicine cabinet. During those 15 minutes, I’ll sort through the section and decide what to keep and what to toss. Doing this three times a week means I’ll get through the whole house in a little under a month. Depending on the size of your home, it might be longer or shorter.

Even if I don’t find anything to declutter, I will use that time to reorganize. It’s a good habit to start because it means you’ll always be one step ahead of clutter.

#2 — Reevaluate your buying habits

Okay, this one might take a little more discipline, but I have confidence in you. Many minimalist habits revolve around spending because simple living focuses on intention. It also encourages you to buy less. And so it’s time to reevaluate your buying habits. How? There’s no easy answer, but here’s what I did.

I made sure to keep a running list of things I needed on my phone. Mind you, I said “needed” not “wanted.” I have a separate list for that. Needs are items like groceries, a piece of clothing to fill a gap in your wardrobe, a new blender. These are the items that if you spend money on them you’re not going to feel guilty. Why? Because they’re serving a purpose.

Your wants are things you should not buy. Not yet. Minimalism doesn’t mean treating yourself every now and then. But step back and ask yourself if you really, really want the item in question. If the answer is still a resounding yes, then put a wishlist together. When family and friends ask what you want for birthdays and holidays, send that list. This way you get what you want without feeling guilty about spending money.

Trust me, reevaluating your spending habits will take time. Be gentle with yourself. If you buy that black cardigan when you already have three at home, then declutter an older one. The point is to always be working off a list so you curb your impulse spending. That alone will make a massive difference in your buying habits.

#3 — Create simple systems

There’s nothing worse than getting your home clutter-free only to have mail pile up on your counter the next day. Of all the minimalist habits I started, this one is fun because it brings out your creative side. What you want to do is create simple systems for dealing with day-to-day things. This can include mail, meals, and cleaning.

The best part? These systems don’t have to be complicated. They can be as easy as setting up a file box for all incoming mail to go into. Each night before bed, take 5 minutes to sort through it. Recycle any junk mail and move any bills to where you pay them so you remember. Don’t think you need to meal prep your entire month. Start with a week. Or three days. Consider what you eat in a day and when. If you eat the same breakfast, no need to meal prep for that. Start with meals you know and love. Throw in a new recipe once a week.

Your systems should be simple and individualized. What works for your neighbor or friend may not work for you. It’s important to trial run some systems if you’re not sure which one is best. But don’t be afraid to tweak any. Many organizers and minimalists adjust systems freely. When you tailor something to fit your lifestyle, it won’t ever feel like a chore.

#4 — Learn to slow down

We live in a society that tells us if we’re not working towards the next big thing then we’re lazy. I disagree. I now prioritize rest even if I have a lot on my plate. I used to let the hustle and bustle lifestyle run me. I’d hurry through stores — a bad habit if you want to lessen your impulse shopping — and would be incredibly impatient on the roads.

This way of living made me more anxious and stressed. So I made sure it was the first minimalist habit I focused on. Learning to slow down isn’t as difficult as it seems. If you’re sitting there thinking, “I need to hustle all day. I have work, my kids have activities, the food needs to be prepared…” you’re not alone.

Let me ask you this: If you arrive one minute late to something (work, school pickup, yoga, etc) is it really that bad? If your boss is a stickler for being on time, maybe, but one minute is not the end of the world. Now, what if you showed up one minute early?

In order to embrace slow living, you need to remember that you are only human. You can’t expect to snap your fingers and be there. You can’t part the traffic that sits in front of you. Slow living starts with accepting that it’s okay to be late sometimes. You can wake up 30 minutes earlier and still be late because of unforeseen circumstances. Now, if you’re always late then it might be time to reevaluate some other things.

These minimalist habits might seem difficult to start doing right away. The key is knowing you’ll need some time to get a handle on them. Remember that it takes 21 days to form a habit so give yourself that timeframe. If you don’t embrace slowness in a week, you still have plenty of time. If you’re having a hard time figuring out your systems, do some more research.

What matters is forming habits that improve your lifestyle. These habits aren’t meant to ruin anything. If you want that clearance item, get it. Just be sure it has a place to go when you get home. One of the top principles of minimalism is embracing intentionality. I wrote a whole blog post about it. Your focus is to let these habits build intentionality into your life. They will help you learn what hasn’t been working for you.

Anyone can learn how to curb impulse shopping. Anyone can declutter. These aren’t reserved for certain people. I promise that if you try these habits out for 21 days, you’re going to find some surprising results in the end. Don’t regret not giving it a shot.

What are some minimalist habits you swear by? Have you tried curbing your spending in the past? Do you think it’s possible to slow down? Comment below.