15 Easy Ways to Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle

Start by knowing that minimalism looks different for everyone. For some, it's living with as little as possible. For others, it's about making less of an impact on our earth. Most of us simply want to embrace the ideals by lessening the amount of stuff in our homes while keeping things we hold dear. Ultimately, the goal is to cut back on the clutter, whether physical or digital, that causes us stress: letting go of the excess to find more freedom in our lives.

Step one to a more minimal life is getting rid of surplus stuff. Set aside time to clear your home of things you don't need anymore. And then, put a reminder in your calendar to do the same thing in a few months. As you delve into thinking minimally, you'll find fewer possessions you actually need. However, don't wait until your next big clean to free your house of excess things. Keep a to-be-donated box in your garage or laundry room. As soon as you see something that's no longer needed, pop it in the box. When the box is full, drop it off at a local charity that needs donations.

Now, that you've done the big declutter, you have to stop more from coming back into your home. Ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" before buying anything. Unsubscribe and unfollow shops that will tempt you with their latest finds or big sales. Opt for experience-driven outings, like hiking, going to the movies or grabbing coffee, rather than browsing the aisles of Target. And most importantly, be mindful of online shopping. It's so easy to click, buy and bam! — you have a house full of stuff again.

Once you've downsized, create a designated spot for everything. It's easier to maintain the minimalist aesthetic if everyone knows what belongs in the hall closet or a specific cabinet. You're also less likely to bring new things into your house if you consider where the item will live.