A practical, step-by-step guide on how to become a minimalist in 30 days.
You’ve been wanting to become a minimalist for a while now, but you just don’t know where to start. It can be overwhelming when you think about all the things you need to get rid of and all the changes you need to make in your life.
How do you even begin?
Follow this 30 days challenge for becoming a minimalist. It will show you exactly how to start getting rid of all the clutter in your life and will help you create a simple, minimalistic lifestyle.
The benefits of minimalism
The benefits of minimalism are endless.
Some of the most important benefits include:
- More free time and more energy.
- You will feel lighter, happier, and freer.
- Focusing on things that really matter.
- Becoming more grateful for what you own.
- Saving money.
- You won’t feel the need to keep up with the Joneses.
- Focusing on relationships and experiences instead of material possessions.
- A more sustainable life.
Before starting your 30 days minimalist challenge
There are some rules that you have to set for yourself before starting the challenge.
You need to:
- commit to becoming a minimalist. You can’t give up halfway through the challenge or you won’t be able to reap all the benefits. The advantages of this challenge can be obtained only if you’re fully committed to it and finish it.
- get rid of all your excuses. You can’t keep telling yourself that you don’t have enough time or that now it’s not a good moment to start. Put everything on hold and dedicate 30 days to becoming a minimalist. It’s going to literally change your life.
- start small. Don’t try to do too much too soon or you’ll get overwhelmed and end up quitting. Take it one step at a time and focus on one task at a time.
- be consistent. In order to make this challenge work, you need to be consistent with it. Dedicate at least 10 minutes every day to the challenge and don’t skip any days. You may always reorder the days of the challenge if you wish.
How to live with less and be happier for it?
In order to become a minimalist, you need to learn how to live with less. This could be freeing for some people, but it may be tough for others who are used to a more luxurious lifestyle, instead of a simple one.
In order to be happy with becoming a minimalist, you need to learn to appreciate the simple things in life. You’ll be surprised at how much joy you can experience by doing things that don’t cost any money, such as taking a walk in nature, spending time with your loved ones, or watching the moon rising over the hills.
Another way to be happy with less is by learning to let go. This could be tough for people who are attached to their material possessions, but you need to learn that things don’t really bring us happiness. Experiences are what truly matter in life, so start focusing on things like traveling and trying new things instead of shopping for more stuff.
P.S.: remember that embracing minimalism is a process, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay to make mistakes along the way and to have relapses. Just keep going and don’t give up.
Also, you’ll need to find ways to let go emotionally of things that you’re attached to. One of the best ways to do that is through meditation, as it helps you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Gratitude is another key to happiness as a minimalist. With less clutter and distractions in your life, you’ll be able to see all the things that you have instead of focusing on the things that you don’t. Practicing gratitude will help you to appreciate all of the blessings in your life and will make it easier for you to let go of the things that don’t serve you.
What to expect after the 30 days minimalism challenge?
After completing the 30 days minimalism challenge, you can expect to feel happier and more content with your life.
You will fill peace and calm knowing that you have less clutter and more time to enjoy your life. You will also be able to save money by not buying things impulsively.
Becoming a minimalist will help you to focus on the things that truly matter in life and will make you appreciate the simple things.
It’s a lifestyle change that will literally change your life for the better.
The challenge is not only about decluttering your things
I want to set it clear that the challenge is not only about decluttering your physical space. Of course, that’s an important part of it, but it’s not the only thing.
The challenge is also about decluttering your mind from all the negative thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back. It’s about letting go of emotions and attachments that are no longer serving you.
The challenge is about learning to live with less and focusing on the things that truly matter in life.
Practical things about the challenge on how to become a minimalist in 30 days
- As you know from the title, it is a 30-day minimalist challenge that will practically teach you and show you how to become a minimalist in 30 days.
- You will get rid of all the clutter in your life, both in a psychical and mental way, and focus on the things that truly matter.
- Each day you will have a task to complete, which will get you closer to your goal of becoming a minimalist.
Tips on decluttering (important!)
Decluttering can be overwhelming. We all know it.
You are not sure whether you need a certain item or not.
We may not always be sure if we want to get rid of something. That is why it’s important to ask yourself some questions when you’re in doubt:
These questions are:
- Do I use it? If yes, how often?
- Do I have another one that serves the same purpose?
- Would I buy this item if I didn’t have it?
- Is it broken or damaged in any way? If so, can I fix it or will it cost more to fix than replace?
- Does it have sentimental value? If so, can I take a picture of it instead?
These questions are very important to ask yourself when decluttering, so you will not regret anything later.
Enjoy the journey
Throughout the 30 days, remember to enjoy the journey and embrace the process of minimalism.
It won’t be easy at times, but it will definitely be worth it in the end.
Also, don’t forget to be patient with yourself. This is a lifestyle change and it takes time to get used to it.
So, are you ready to take on the challenge?
The answer is simple: Yes!
How to become a minimalist in 30 days?
Chapter 1. Starting with the easiest – physical clutter
Obviously one of the first things that you need to do to become a minimalist is to get rid of all the clutter in your home.
Related: The Basics of Minimalism: a Guide for Beginner Minimalists
Day 1. Clothes.
Go through your wardrobe and drawers and get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in the last year. Please don’t be sentimental or irrational. For example, if you have an expensive piece of clothing, but you don’t like it or didn’t really use it, just get rid of it. If it is expensive you could try to sell it, but don’t let it take space in your wardrobe just for nothing.
You don’t have to get rid of clothes that you love. Just the ones that you didn’t use very often or at all.
Advice: try not to count your clothes in order to remain with a certain amount of them. It is the first day of your challenge, so take it slow. After these 30 days, you will know better how many clothes you want or need in your life.
Important: On day 13, we will start sorting and getting rid of all the clutter that you are going to let go of. So gather all of your items that you are going to declutter during 11 days in one place.
Day 2. Kitchen.
Now it’s time to declutter your kitchen.
Start by getting rid of any appliances and utensils that you never use or that are broken. Then, go through your cupboards and get rid of anything that is not used as often as it should.
Finally, take a look at your groceries, including the fridge and freezer, and get rid of any food that is past its expiration date or not suitable for your current diet.
Make your kitchen practical, and not overstuffed. This way, you will be able to find what you need quickly and easily.
Remember that you can divide this day into two if you have a lot of things to declutter.
Day 3. Bathroom.
The third day is about conquering the bathroom.
Start with your cosmetics and toiletries, including all the makeup and beauty products. Go through each item one by one, and if you haven’t used it in the last six months, or you don’t really like using it – get rid of it.
After this, go through your bathroom cabinets and look for any cleaning or hygiene products that are no longer needed.
You know better what is in your bathroom, so declutter it according to your needs and preferences.
The purpose of this challenge is to declutter your life and focus on what truly matters. So if something doesn’t serve you anymore, get rid of it.
Day 4. Paper and documentation.
It’s time to turn your attention to the paperwork.
Go through all the files, folders, and drawers in your office or home, and get rid of anything that is no longer needed. This includes old bills, receipts, and any other documents that you don’t need to keep. I would get rid even of gift cards that don’t hold a special sentimental value.
Now is also a good time to scan any important documents and save them electronically. This way, you will declutter your office and at the same time save yourself a lot of space.
Day 5. Digital documentation.
In addition to physical paper clutter, there is also digital documentation.
Go through all the files on your computer or any other electronic devices, and delete anything that is no longer needed. This includes old photos, videos, and any other files that you don’t need.
Day 6. Apps & programs.
Another digital task is to declutter your devices and get rid of any apps or programs that are no longer needed.
For example, if you don’t subscribe to any magazines, cancel them. If you don’t play any games anymore, delete them from your phone or computer.
Also, go through all the apps on your phone and delete any that you don’t use regularly. The same goes for any programs on your computer. If you don’t use them, get rid of them.
Day 7. Living room.
It’s time to declutter your living room.
Start by getting rid of items that don’t have a purpose.
For example, if you have a shelf with items that are just there without serving any purpose, such as souvenirs from your last vacation – get rid of them.
Then, go through your bookshelves and get rid of any books that you don’t like. You can always keep a mini library with books that you enjoy coming back to, but don’t keep anything just for the sake of it.
The same goes for any CDs, DVDs, or video games. If you haven’t played them in a long time – it’s time to let them go.
Day 8. Bedroom.
Now is a good time to get rid of anything that no longer serves you in your bedroom.
Since we already decluttered our clothes, now it’s time to focus on other items.
Go through all items on and on your nightstand and get rid of anything that is no longer needed, such as old magazines or books.
Extra pillows and blankets are also something that you can get rid of. You don’t need more than one or two pillows and one blanket. Anything beyond that is just taking up space.
Keep in mind that this is a journey, not a destination. You will think of more items to declutter in the future. Now it’s just a matter of getting started.
Day 9. Hallway.
The task for the ninth day is to declutter your hallway.
Start by going through all the items in your coat closet and getting rid of anything that you don’t use. This includes:
- old umbrellas,
- jackets,
- and other items that are just taking up space.
- shoes are also something that you can declutter. If you don’t wear certain shoes on a regular basis, donate or throw them away. You can keep only the shoes that you use most often and that are still in good condition.
Day 10. Garage.
The tenth day is dedicated to decluttering your garage.
Garages and storage areas can be overwhelming, and I know it. I used to put everything in my storage area, from old clothes to old holiday decorations. But after decluttering it, I realized that I don’t need most of the things that I was keeping there.
The same goes for you. Go through all the items in your garage and get rid of anything that is no longer needed or that you don’t use. This includes old furniture, old holiday decorations, and anything else that is just taking up space.
Day 11. Children’s room.
If you don’t have a child, you can finish the challenge a day earlier, or tackle a different task that you were postponing.
But if you do have children, decluttering their room is a must. Children’s rooms can be full of toys, clothes, and other items that they no longer use or need.
They grow so fast, so it’s important to get rid of any toys that they won’t play with anymore, as well as clothes and other items that don’t fit them.
Day 12. Final touches.
By now you should have decluttered most of your house. But there might still be some items that you haven’t decluttered yet.
So today is the day to go through your entire house and see what items could be decluttered. These might be items that you put off, or it might be rooms that you didn’t get to start with.
Don’t rush through this step, but take your time and make sure that nothing is left behind.
If you have any items that you’re not sure whether to keep or not, put them in a box and write a date 6 months from now to come back to them. If you didn’t need anything from that box in those 6 months – get rid of all of the items in the box.
Day 13. Sorting your decluttered items.
Once you declutter your entire house, it’s time to sort through all the items that you’ve gathered.
So, sort your decluttered items into 3 piles:
- throw away/recycle;
- donate;
- sell.
The first step is to get rid of any items that are broken or ruined. These ones have to be either recycled or thrown away.
Then, you can start sorting the remaining items into two different categories – donation, or sale.
The donation pile should contain items that are still in good condition but that you no longer need or want. These can be clothes, furniture, toys, or any other items. You can donate the items to a local charity or thrift store.
If you think that you want to sell some things, do that. You can sell them on online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, or have a yard sale.
Day 14. Action.
Today is the day when you can say goodbye to your stuff.
Set this day to do the chores of throwing away, donating, taking a picture, and posting the items that you want to sell.
Don’t be sad, though. You are going in the right direction. In a few days, you will start another chapter of your minimalist life, and you will develop new habits that will help you live a simpler lifestyle.
Day 15. Organize.
The fifteenth day is all about organization.
Now that you have decluttered your house, it’s time to start organizing the things that you have left. This includes everything from your clothes to your documents.
Organize your things in a way that makes sense to you, and in a way that will help you save time and energy.
For example, you can organize your clothes by color, or by season.
Make sure that everything has a place in your house. This way it will not get messy.
Chapter 2. Minimalism is not only about physical clutter.
Day 16. Set your goals. Set your “Whys?”
Why do you want to live a minimalist lifestyle?
Be very specific about it. Write it down in your journal.
Make sure that your goals are achievable and that they motivate you to go on further.
Some examples of the goals are:
- I want to live a minimalist lifestyle because I want to declutter my house and my life.
- I want to live a minimalist lifestyle because I want to save money.
- I want to live a minimalist lifestyle because I want to have more time for the things I find important.
- I want to live a minimalist lifestyle because I want to be more present in the moment.
It doesn’t have to be just one, you can have many goals.
Day 17. What would you like to change in your life?
It is also important to focus on the things that you want to change in your life.
Make a list of at least three things that you want to change and write them down in your journal.
Some examples are:
- I want to change my attitude towards money.
- I want to start spending less time on social media.
- I want to stop procrastinating and start taking action.
This exercise will help you to focus on the things that you want to change and it will be a great motivation for you to live a more minimalist lifestyle.
Day 18. Finances & budget.
How much do you spend and what do you buy?
Most people have no idea about their finances, but it is important to be aware of them.
Start tracking your finances and see where you are spending the most money. You might be surprised to see that a lot of your money goes to things that you don’t even need.
So today, make a budget for every category in your life and see where you can save some money.
For example, you can have a budget for food, clothes, rent, transportation, entertainment, etc.
Try to be as realistic as possible and don’t forget to include your essential expenses.
You can use a simple excel sheet, I find it is the easiest way.
Day 19. Make your shopping list.
When you are a minimalist, it’s important to only buy the essentials.
So today is the day to see what items you actually need and make a list. Next time when you are going to the store, you will know what you actually need and you won’t buy anything else.
This list can be for groceries, but not only. Write also other material possessions that you need, such as a new yoga mat or headphones.
I would suggest that you do this list once a month. It will really help you to buy only the essentials.
Day 20. Bucket list.
It might be cheesy, but it’s still fun to have a bucket list.
A bucket list is a list of things that you want to do or achieve in your life. It can be anything from visiting a certain country to skydiving.
The sky is the limit and you can write down as many things as you want.
Since minimalism is all about living your best life, it makes sense to have a bucket list.
Chapter 3. Your mind and body.
(You might think that this chapter is less practical than others. But on the contrary, it makes all the difference. The idea is to take some of these tasks and make them a habit).
Day 21. Yoga.
Yoga is a way to reconnect with yourself. It is a way to connect your mind and body.
This is what we sometimes need in order to live a simple life – to connect our physical and mental states.
You don’t need to know how to do yoga, or to stand in advanced poses. You can start with some basic poses and go from there.
I am not a yoga teacher, so I can’t give you any instructions on how to do it. But there are plenty of yoga classes that you can take online. My personal favorite is Boho Beautiful on Youtube.
Really, do some yoga. You will see that the most important things are inside, and not outside.
Day 22. Meditate.
Meditation is another great way to reconnect with yourself, which is so important for minimalists and not only.
Like yoga, meditation is free and can be done anywhere. You don’t need to do it for hours. Even if you spend 5-20 minutes is going to be better than nothing.
I advise you to do a guided meditation in the beginning, since you are probably still new to this world.
Day 23. Simple things in life
Make a list of them in your journal. It can be anything from taking a walk in the park to reading a book.
This activity will help you to understand that you can find more joy in the simple things in life and be more present. Also, it will help you in the future when you will have to make a decision between buying something or doing an activity that will give you more joy.
The list can be as short or long as you like. You can even add more simple things in life later. It is a very powerful thing to do.
You can read an entire article with a lot of examples of simple pleasures in life here.
Day 24. Gratitude list.
What are you grateful for? Starting our last week of the challenge by writing a gratitude list.
It is important to have a list of things that we are thankful for. It is going to help us realize how much we have and how good our life is.
Instead of focusing on what you lack, it will help you to focus on the positive things in life.
Make a list of at least five things that you are grateful for and write them down in your journal.
- I am grateful for my family.
- I am grateful for my friends.
- I am grateful for my health.
- I am grateful for my job.
- I am grateful for the roof over my head.
This exercise will help you in many ways and it is a very powerful tool because it will help you to see the things that you already have, instead of focusing on what is missing.
Preferably, you should do this exercise every day, but at least once a week.
This is an exercise that most minimalists do in order to embrace simple living.
Check out this article about 101 things to be grateful for to find some inspiration.
Day 25. Set intention for the day.
Today is all about being intentional.
You are going to set an intention for the day. It can be anything from meditating for 20 minutes to drinking 2 liters of water. It is up to you, but make sure that it is something that you can actually do.
Besides that, try to be intentional about anything that you do during the day.
For example, if you are drinking water, really drink it and feel the water going down your throat and the feeling of hydration.
This task might sound weird, but it is actually a very powerful and effective way of living your best life and focusing on the present moment.
Day 26. Write down all of your weekly meals.
Strange task? Well, it is not. Our minds keep so much clutter. And one of the things that clog our minds is thinking about what to eat next.
When you have a list of meals for the week, you don’t have to think about it anymore. The decision is done (well, kind of).
You can either write it down on in your journal or use an app. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you have your list ready.
Day 27. Challenge your negative thoughts
This is something that you should do every day, but especially today.
We all have negative thoughts. It is human nature. But the question is – what are you going to do with them?
- Are you just going to listen to them and believe them?
- Or are you going to challenge them and see if they are really true?
Most of the time, our negative thoughts are not even true. They are just thoughts that can easily vanish. You can choose to let them stay and listen to them, or let them go.
(Challenging task, isn’t it? Well, that is why it is called a challenge)
Day 28. Write down what is in your heart
Write down whatever is in your heart. It can be anything from your fears to your dreams. Just write it all down and get it out of your head.
According to minimalism, we should focus on the present moment and not get lost in our thoughts. But we all know that it is not that easy.
This task is to remind you of all the things that are going on in your mind and help you let them go.
Just write them down and then let them go.
Day 29. Don’t multitask.
Today, you are going to focus on one task at a time.
This is actually very hard for most of us since we are so used to doing multiple tasks at the same time. But it is scientifically proven that multitasking slows us down and makes us less productive.
So, today, try to focus on one task at a time and see how much you can get done.
Day 30. Reflect on your minimalism journey.
Today, reflect on all that you have learned during this month-long journey.
- What lessons have you learned?
- What changes have you made in your life?
- And most importantly, are you happy with the changes?
- If not, what can you do to change that?
- Also, did you enjoy the mind and body challenges? Will you make some of them your routines?
This is your life and you are in control of it, so make sure that you are living it the way you want to.
How to become a minimalist in 30 days checklist pdf
Final words
Well, this has been a great journey and you should be proud of yourself for taking it, or even for just reading through it!
But don’t stop here – continue implementing these strategies in your day-to-day life in order to have a simpler, more meaningful life.
Remember, minimalism is not just about having fewer things, it is also about living in the present moment and being intentional with your actions. So take some time to reflect on all that you have learned, and keep challenging yourself to be the best version of yourself.