Becoming a minimalist takes dedication. Simplifying your life isn’t easy and requires careful thought and consideration. What can you live without?
Where do you even begin? Here are several challenges you can commit to for 30 days to get you on your way to becoming a minimalist.
Day 1: Define what minimalism means to you[1]
Does it mean carrying a 0 balance on your credit cards? Living without cable TV or WiFi? Have one less car or now cars? Does it involve giving your most prized possessions away to charity in order to lead a simpler life free of clutter?
Day 2: Figure out the areas in your life you can simplify
Start with your bedroom for example. Do you have too many blankets, pillows, and clothes lying around? Start by clearing this area of your home. Perhaps limit the decor and comforters. Buy a simple yet comfortable mattress[2]that really doesn’t need a lot of added items like mattress toppers.
Day 3: Declutter common areas
Your living room, kitchen, garage, and bathrooms.
Day 4: Declutter social media
Do you have so many contacts on your iPhone that you don’t even know where half of them came from? It’s time to minimize your contacts. This goes for emails, friend lists, and social networks. What can you do without here?
Day 5: Downsize your living space
With all the new room, you might consider downsizing to a smaller house or apartment.
Day 6: Limit your subscriptions
Think of all that you’re subscribed to. Can you do without these or limit them? You’re minimizing this area of your life while saving.
Day 7: Get rid of clothes you haven’t worn in two years
If you haven’t worn it in the past two years, do you really want it?
Day 8: If you carry a purse or backpack, clean it out
We know that old squished Snikers bar and old receipts aren’t doing you any good.
Day 9: Evaluate your grocery shopping habits
If it’s been sitting at the back of your fridge for over a month, chances are you didn’t really need it in the first place.
Day 10: Limit the hours you’re connected to your digital device
You may be surprised of all the creativity that comes with ditching your device.
Day 11: Give your books away after you’ve read them
This is a quick way to prevent clutter and do a friend a favor.
Day 12: Minimize events on your calendar
Find a healthy balance.
Day 13: Clean out your makeup drawer
It’s probably unsanitary to keep makeup longer than three months anyway.
Day 14: Eliminate useless items in your car
We all need a little help in this department.
Day 15: Simplify your morning routine
The plus side is getting to sleep in longer.
Day 16: Give away old DVDs you know you’re never going to watch
They’re really just collecting dust by now.
Day 17: Eliminate old broken dishes
Those old college cups just won’t do it anymore.
Day 18: Eliminate the junk food like you did your junk drawer
Just imagine all the toxins you’re eliminating.
Day 19: Delete all those selfies on your phone
Just old photos and screenshots in general.
Day 20: Go for a walk without your phone
Take in the scenery.
Day 21: Create a relaxing space at home and in your office
Now you’re starting to live like a real minimalist.
Day 22: Eat and go to sleep at the same time every day
You’ll feel great.
Day 23: Eliminate worn out socks and underwear
More space. Less clutter.
Day 24: Definitely shred old mail
No one needs extra paper floating around.
Day 25: Delete apps
You probably have ones you never use.
Day 26: Donate old coats and scarves that haven’t seen the light of day in years
You’re doing a nice thing for those in need.
Day 27: Throw away those old nail polishes that have dried out
You’ve probably got a few you don’t need anymore.
Day: 28 Eliminate the useless products under your bathroom sink and don’t buy more
Everyone’s got old hair products we never use.
Day 29: Throw way those old vitamins and medicines
Opt in for healthy smoothies[3] with all vitamins you need.
Day 30: Definitely eliminate those old dusty magazine you never read
The bottom line is figuring out what is truly adding value to your life and what isn’t. It’s no easy task but this minimalist 30-day challenge will help get you started. If you master the first 30 days, try going for 60.[4]
Reference
| [1] | ^ | The Atlantic: Living With Less |
| [2] | ^ | CYA:What’s The Best Mattress? Innerspring vs Memory Foam vs Latex |
| [3] | ^ | Blend It Up:The Best Blender For Smoothies: An In-Depth Review |
| [4] | ^ | Pinterest: 60 Things to Toss Out in the Next 60 days |
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Source: Lifehack
