Think about those days when you have an endless to-do list, 5 different places to be, your phone is constantly ringing and things just keep going wrong. Now think of the exact opposite of that day and how it feels. Simplicity, intentionality and calmness are what make life feel easier and more meaningful. Designing a life you love by embracing minimalist habits helps you focus on what truly matters to you. It’s not about having less and living a life full of restriction but about living more fully exactly how you want. So let’s begin designing a life you love with minimalist habits.
What Are Minimalist Habits?
Minimalist habits are intentional actions that simplify your life by removing both physical and emotional clutter that’s holding you back. Doing this may seem restrictive but it results in making more space for living life on your own terms whilst adding more joy, purpose and peace into each and every day.
Why They Help You Design a Life You Love
Creating a physical and emotional space allows for a clear, more focused mindset. You have more time to spend on things that bring you happiness. Who wants to be spending hours searching for a pair of matching socks, reorganising your cupboards or dusting every nick-nack you’ve collected in your life when you could be sat on the beach or spending time doing something you really love? Overall, you’ll feel more calm and in control of your life by removing unnecessary to-dos and replacing them with what you actually want to do.
Simple Minimalist Habits to Start Today
Declutter 1 Area Per Week (Closet, Desk, Apps)
Start small and sustainable. Pick one area to declutter each week—this could be physical or digital. One of the best places to start is in an area you use often. It’s common to go straight to the garage where there’s boxes of unused junk, but by decluttering an area you use daily to begin with, you instantly start to benefit from the results, making you more likely to keep the momentum going.
Use a Capsule Wardrobe (Clothes You Love + Wear Often)
It’s no secret that the majority of us have way too many items of clothing we don’t wear. Many of them don’t fit us or are old and worn down or just generally aren’t our style. Reducing our wardrobe size to get rid of all the stuff we don’t wear and don’t feel our best in helps us save time by not rooting through clothing you’ll never wear, plus rids us of the guilt attached to the items—like if we bought something to wear when we lost weight and never have. The aim here is to create a wardrobe of only the best pieces that make you feel amazing.
Have a Daily To-Do List with Only 3 Priorities
Most to-do lists are endless with the majority of tasks never getting completed. By creating a list with only 3 priorities, you’re much more likely to achieve these tasks. This also helps you focus and gain clarity on what matters most to you and what isn’t really necessary.
Limit Screen Time + Social Media Scrolls
In the majority of most people’s dream lives, they don’t see themselves staring at their phone for 4 hours per day wishing they were living someone else’s life. So when designing a life we love, limiting this habit makes us feel more positive and productive as we can use our time much more wisely.
Practice Gratitude Every Day
Designing a life you love can start by loving your life today. Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day to build a habit of focusing on the positives in life. Keep this short and sweet—you don’t need to spend a lot of time on it to be grateful for what you already have.
Say No to Things That Don’t Align with Your Values
Minimalism is all about removing the excess in life, and by saying no to things—whether that be physical, emotional or digital—you have more time to spend doing what you want. Setting boundaries and saying no can be really hard at first, especially if you’re used to saying yes all the time, but with practice this will become easier and in the long run make your life happier and more meaningful.
Spend Time with People Who Uplift You
Being around positive, happy people who bring you up instead of tear you down makes it so much easier to live a life you love. Spend some time reflecting on who makes you the happiest and who brings down your vibe, then adjust your time appropriately. This may seem mean, but it’s for your own good and the benefit of your loved ones—as you can’t pour from an empty cup.
You don’t need to be constantly adding to your life to create a life you love. Spending time assessing what you want and acting with intention is the quickest and easiest way to make your dream life your reality.
