How Do You Become a Minimalist?
To become a minimalist, start by decluttering one room at a time, removing items you have not used in 90 days. Then set clear values, adopt a ‘one in, one out’ rule for new purchases, and shift your focus from accumulating things to curating only what adds real value to your life. Minimalism is not about owning nothing. It is about owning only what earns its place.
As a Digital Nomad you have a lot of freedom, but also one big restriction: your luggage. If you’re on the road a lot and move regularly, you can’t have a shipping container with your entire household goods following you every time. The solution: you have to reduce yourself to the most necessary, become some sort of minimalist.
And that is good news. Because owning less is good for your mental health, I’ve compiled the scientific facts for you here. Whether you are a full-time traveler or simply someone tired of managing too much stuff, minimalism offers the same reward: more space, more clarity, more life. Here are 10 steps to help you start your journey toward minimalism.
1. Start by Decluttering Your Space
Go through each room in your home and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Be ruthless and honest with yourself.
You do not have to do it all in one day. Start by finding just 5 items every day for one week. That is it. This approach distributes the effort and allows for a more thoughtful examination of each item.
As you go, ask yourself a few honest questions. Does this item contribute positively to my life? Is it genuinely useful or sentimental? If the answer is no, consider parting ways with it.
Decluttering is not just about creating physical space. It is a mindful practice. Letting go of the unnecessary allows room for a clearer mindset and a more intentional living environment.
2. Determine Your Values and Priorities
Taking time to figure out your values and priorities is the foundation of minimalism. It helps you focus on what truly matters. It also helps you avoid buying things you do not need.
In the end, the most important things are your health and your loved ones. Each item you keep should reflect that.
Knowing your values also makes decisions easier. It becomes simpler to say no to things that do not match your priorities. This prevents clutter from building up in the first place.
This step also prompts you to examine past purchases. Were you influenced by society, acting on impulse, or looking for happiness in stuff? Understanding those patterns is how real change begins.
3. Set Minimalism Goals
Start small and work your way up.
A modest goal, getting rid of one item per day or per week, is more powerful than it sounds. It avoids the overwhelm of a massive overhaul. It also builds a habit of mindfulness and intentional decision-making.
By choosing one item at a time, you focus on the significance of each possession. You make thoughtful decisions about its place in your life. And as you witness the impact of small, consistent effort, you find motivation to keep going.
The beauty of starting small is that it fits any lifestyle and any pace.
4. Adopt a “One In, One Out” Policy
For every new item you bring into your home, remove one you no longer need. This single rule keeps your possessions in check and prevents clutter from quietly rebuilding.
It also changes the way you shop. Before you buy anything, you have to ask: is this worth giving something else up?
The rule works beyond physical objects too. If you take on a new commitment, let go of an old one. If you add a digital subscription, cancel one you have forgotten about. It keeps your life balanced and your decisions deliberate.
Following this rule also helps the environment. Donate or recycle what you release. Reduce waste. Help others. It is a small act with a broader impact.
5. Embrace Simplicity and Learn to Live With Less
Minimalism is not about deprivation. It is about living with purpose and intention.
Focus on the things that bring genuine happiness into your life. These could be simple pleasures, a cherished book, a piece of art, the warmth of shared time with people you love. By embracing minimalism, you actively curate a living space that reflects your values.
Living with less extends beyond possessions. It reaches into freedom and mental clarity. It strips away the non-essential and creates space for what truly matters.
You will find that having less actually leads to more, more time, more focus, more peace.
6. Be Mindful of Your Consumption
Be aware of your spending habits and make conscious decisions about what you buy. For me, it helps to track all my expenses in an app.
Logging each purchase creates a tangible record of your financial choices. It also reveals patterns. You start to see where money quietly disappears, on impulse buys, forgotten subscriptions, or things that felt important in the moment and were ignored a week later.
The app becomes a reflective tool. It prompts you to question whether a purchase is a genuine necessity or a momentary desire.
As a digital nomad navigating different locations and currencies, a spending tracker is as essential as a good bag. It keeps you honest regardless of where you are.
7. Find Inspiration From the Minimalist Community
There are many resources available online, blogs, podcasts, and social media groups, that can provide inspiration and support on your journey.
Blogs share personal experiences, practical tips, and thought-provoking ideas. Podcasts offer interviews and expert insights you can absorb on the move. Social media groups connect you with fellow minimalists who understand the challenges and the rewards.
Here are some of my favourite minimalist resources:
The Minimalists (Website and Podcast) Website: The Minimalists Podcast: The Minimalists Podcast Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus share tips, essays, and resources on minimalism and intentional living.
Becoming Minimalist (Blog) Website: Becoming Minimalist Joshua Becker offers practical advice and inspirational stories to help you simplify your life.
Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method (Book and Netflix Series) Book: “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” Netflix Series: “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” Marie Kondo’s method focuses on keeping items that spark joy and organising your space effectively.
Zen Habits (Blog) Website: Zen Habits Leo Babauta’s blog covers minimalism, simplicity, and mindfulness with practical advice and personal insights.
Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things Available on Netflix and other streaming platforms. This documentary explores the lives of minimalists from various backgrounds and how minimalism has improved their lives.
Miss Minimalist (Blog) Website: Miss Minimalist Francine Jay shares tips, strategies, and success stories to help you live a minimalist lifestyle.
Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki (Book) Practical advice and personal experiences on how to declutter and embrace minimalism.
Simple Families (Blog and Podcast) Website: Simple Families Podcast: Simple Families Podcast Denaye Barahona provides insights on minimalism, parenting, and simplifying family life.
The Minimalist Vegan (Blog) Website: The Minimalist Vegan Masa and Michael Ofei share tips on minimalism, veganism, and sustainable living to help you simplify and live intentionally.
8. Embrace Quality Over Quantity
Instead of buying many things, focus on a few high-quality items that last.
High-quality things might cost more upfront. But they save money in the long run. You replace them less often. You manage fewer possessions. And each item you own becomes more valuable to you.
Buy a sturdy pair of shoes instead of several cheap ones. Choose a well-made jacket that will keep you warm for years. Think before you buy, not after.
This step also curbs impulse buying. When you know you are choosing quality over quantity, you pause. You evaluate. You spend with intention rather than reflex.
Fewer things. Better things. That is the shift.
9. Remember That Minimalism Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Be patient with yourself. Change takes time. Minimalism is not something you achieve overnight.
There will be ups and downs. Some days will be easier than others. That is okay.
Everyone’s journey looks different. What works for one person will not work for another. The goal is to find what works best for you, and then keep going.
Take small steps. Celebrate your progress. Each step brings you closer to a simpler, more meaningful life. Minimalism is a way to improve your life, not a strict set of rules. Keep your goals in mind, stay flexible, and find joy in the process.
What Are the Key Rules of Minimalism? (90/90, 20/20/20, and More)
A few simple frameworks can make the process of letting go much easier, especially when you are staring at a drawer full of stuff you have not touched in years.
- The 90/90 Rule: Ask yourself, have I used this item in the last 90 days? Will I use it in the next 90? If the answer to both is no, it goes. This rule cuts through the ‘but I might need it someday’ thinking that keeps clutter alive.
- The 20/20/20 Rule: Coined by The Minimalists, this one addresses the fear of letting go. The rule says: if you can replace any item for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes, you can let it go. Most of the things we hold onto out of fear fall squarely into this category.
- The One In, One Out Rule: For every new item that enters your home, one leaves. This keeps your total number of possessions stable even as life changes.
These rules are not commandments. They are permission slips. Permission to let go without guilt.
Can You Become a Minimalist in 30 Days?
Yes, and a 30-day challenge is one of the best ways to start. It turns an abstract idea into a daily habit.
The classic approach: remove one item on day one, two on day two, three on day three, and so on. By day 30 you will have removed around 465 items. More importantly, you will have built the habit of questioning what you actually need.
A simpler version if the escalating count feels overwhelming:
- Week 1: Declutter one drawer or shelf per day.
- Week 2: Tackle one full room.
- Week 3: Go digital. Unsubscribe from email lists, delete unused apps, cancel subscriptions you forgot about.
- Week 4: Review what you cleared and decide what rules to keep permanently.
Thirty days will not make you a minimalist for life. But it will make the idea feel real instead of theoretical.
Digital Minimalism: The Clutter You Cannot See
Physical stuff is only half the problem. Digital clutter is just as draining, and most people never think to address it.
Digital minimalism means being intentional about your screen time, your apps, your subscriptions, and your notifications. The same principle applies: keep only what earns its place.
A few places to start:
- Delete any app you have not opened in 90 days.
- Unsubscribe from every email newsletter you skip without reading.
- Cancel streaming or software subscriptions you use less than once a month.
- Turn off all non-essential push notifications. Silence is a form of space too.
For digital nomads especially, a lean digital setup is as important as a lean physical one. A cluttered laptop is a cluttered mind.
Minimalism with Kids: Is It Even Possible?
As a mum of two who has been traveling full-time, I get this question a lot. Yes, minimalism with kids is possible. It just looks different.
The goal is not a sparse, toy-free home. It is intentional. Fewer, better toys that actually get played with. Clothes in a rotation that fits in one bag. Books that get read, not piled.
Some practical starting points for families:
- Rotate toys in and out of storage so kids stay engaged with less.
- Involve kids in the declutter process from an early age. Even a four-year-old can choose five toys to donate.
- Apply the ‘one in, one out’ rule to gifts and birthdays. New toy in, old toy out.
- A capsule wardrobe for kids is actually easier than for adults. They grow out of things fast, which makes letting go more natural.
Minimalism for families is about creating space, literal and mental, so you can actually enjoy each other instead of managing stuff.
Key Takeaways
- Start: discard 5 items per day for one week.
- 90/90 rule: unused 90 days past and future? It goes.
- 20/20/20 rule: replaceable under $20 in 20 minutes? Let it go.
- One in, one out: every new item replaces an old one.
- Quality over quantity: fewer, better things save money long-term.
- Minimalism with kids works. Rotate toys, involve children early.
- Track spending in an app to catch mindless purchases.
- Minimalism is a journey. Progress beats perfection every time.
Final Thoughts on the Necessary Steps to Minimalism
By taking the first step toward a minimalist home, you can experience less stress and less mental clutter, and start enjoying the beauty of a more intentional life.
The journey begins with simple steps. Decluttering one room. Building a capsule wardrobe. Letting go of things you have been holding onto out of habit rather than love. As you move toward fewer possessions, you will find you have more time for what actually matters.
Minimalism is not about getting rid of everything. It is about making conscious choices that align with your values. Whether that means a tiny house or simply a tidier shelf, the direction is the same.
The journey is a long one. But tiny steps lead to big changes. Next time you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list or buried in clutter, come back to the basic idea: own only what earns its place.
I hope these tips inspire you to start your minimalist journey and make positive changes in your everyday life. Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
Thank you for reading and for making me part of your day.
Yours, Lulu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 90/90 rule for minimalism?
The 90/90 rule asks two questions about any item you own: Have I used this in the last 90 days? Will I use it in the next 90 days? If the answer to both is no, you let it go. It is one of the most effective tools for cutting through the ‘I might need it someday’ thinking that keeps clutter alive.
What is the 20/20/20 rule in minimalism?
The 20/20/20 rule, coined by The Minimalists, says that if you can replace an item for less than $20 in under 20 minutes, you can safely let it go. It removes the fear of getting rid of something you might eventually need, because the replacement cost and effort are both minimal.
How can I start being a minimalist?
Start by decluttering one small area, such as a single drawer or shelf, and remove anything you have not used in 90 days. Set a modest daily goal, like finding five items to donate or discard each day for one week. From there, adopt a ‘one in, one out’ rule for new purchases and begin defining what you actually value, so every item you keep earns its place.
Do people with ADHD like minimalism?
Many people with ADHD find minimalism genuinely helpful. A clutter-free environment reduces visual distractions, which can make it easier to focus and regulate attention. Fewer possessions also means fewer decisions and less mental overhead, which benefits people who already find decision-making taxing. That said, minimalism needs to be adapted to individual needs rather than rigidly applied.
Can you become a minimalist in 30 days?
You can make significant progress in 30 days, but minimalism is a long-term mindset shift, not a one-month project. A 30-day challenge works well as a starting point: commit to removing one item on day one, two items on day two, and so on. By day 30 you will have removed around 465 items and, more importantly, built the habit of questioning what you actually need.
What is the ‘one in, one out’ rule?
The ‘one in, one out’ rule means that every time a new item enters your home, an existing item leaves. It keeps your total number of possessions stable and forces you to decide whether a new purchase is worth giving something else up. The rule works for physical items, digital subscriptions, and even commitments.
2 Responses
Great tips, I have been trying to create a capsule wardrobe for a long time. But it’s really harder than I thought…. It’s hard to get rid of things that ‘might still come in handy someday’ or that I have some emotion attached to.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Rebecca! Yes, I can totally relate to that. I had a pair of too-small jeans in my wardrobe for over 10 years – just in case I eventually fit in. The brain plays strange tricks on you. 😉 But with the will to cope with less, you are already so much further than most! You can be proud of yourself!