--- title: 13 Simple Steps Toward Minimalism description: "Minimalism asks a simple question: what actually adds value to your life? Then, it is easier to let go of the things that only add clutter, stress, or noise." image: https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%2013%20Simple%20Steps%20Toward%20Minimalism.jpg --- - Banking - [Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/) - [Boost Checking](https://dortonline.org/checking/boost/) - [Rates](https://dortonline.org/savings-and-investing-rates/) - [Certificate](https://dortonline.org/certificates/) - [Savings](https://dortonline.org/savings/) - [Online/Mobile Banking](https://dortonline.org/online-banking/) - [Fees](https://dortonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Consumer-Fee-Disclosure6-24.pdf) - Borrowing - [Vehicle Loans](https://dortonline.org/vehicles/) - [Loan Rates](https://dortonline.org/loan-rates/) - [Home Loans](https://dortonline.org/mortgages/) - [Home Equity](https://dortonline.org/home-equity/) - [EZLOC](https://dortonline.org/ezloc/) - [Quick Cash](https://dortonline.org/quick-cash/) - [Personal Loans](https://dortonline.org/personal-loans/) - Cards - 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[Housekeeping](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/housekeeping),[At Home](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/at-home),[Lifestyle](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/lifestyle),[Money](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/money) # 13 Simple Steps Toward Minimalism [![Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Artboard%201.svg) Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) calendar icon Mar 12, 2026 10:52:16 AM · Reading time 3 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by everything competing for your time and attention? It can feel like there is always too much to do and not enough time to do it. The resulting stress can drain both mental and physical health. Many people wish to reduce this stress by simplifying their lives, but are unsure where to start. One option is adopting a minimalist approach. Minimalism encourages awareness of excess in our lives and taking steps to release what adds little value. This can apply to possessions, commitments, and distractions. Minimalism asks a simple question: what actually adds value to your life? Once you start asking that, it becomes easier to let go of the things that only add clutter, stress, or noise. If you're interested in simplifying your life, these steps can help you begin the minimalist journey. ## **Practical Steps Toward Minimalism** ### Visualize What You Want If you want to achieve your minimalist goals, start by visualizing them. Picture what life would look like with less clutter and more organization. Imagine how much more relaxed and stress-free you would feel. A clear mental picture helps guide the actions needed to reach that outcome. ### Write Down Your Goals ![](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4476377%20(1).jpg?width=300&name=pexels-karolina-grabowska-4476377%20(1).jpg) Writing down your goals helps you stay accountable and focused. Place them somewhere visible, such as on a refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Seeing them every day reinforces your commitment and guides daily decisions toward a simpler lifestyle. ### Declutter Your Surroundings One of the most effective ways to begin is by decluttering your environment. This might include your home, office, or other frequently used spaces. Remove unnecessary items and organize what remains in a way that works for you. When deciding what to keep or remove, ask yourself: - Have I used this in the last 3, 6, or 12 months? - If this disappeared, how likely would I miss it? - Would I buy it again today? - Is this here “just in case,” and is the space it takes worth it? ### Start With One Spot If decluttering an entire home feels overwhelming, begin with one area, room, or closet. Completing a small space builds confidence and momentum before moving on to larger areas. ### Establish New Habits Organization often depends on habits. Creating routines that support your minimalist goals makes lasting change more likely. If new habits feel difficult to maintain, remember that consistency helps them take root. [Research suggests](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674) it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a new habit to become consistent. Reward yourself when you maintain positive habits to reinforce the behavior. ### Provide an Easy Exit Path When you decide to remove an item, make the process simple. Otherwise, clutter may linger. Consider donating items, hosting a yard sale, or listing items on online marketplaces to ensure things leave your home quickly. ### Go Paperless ![](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hub/7364579/hubfs/pexels-cottonbro-4778611.jpg?width=300&name=pexels-cottonbro-4778611.jpg) Reducing paper clutter is another powerful step. Scan important documents and store them digitally. Unsubscribe from mailing lists and cancel unnecessary magazine or newspaper subscriptions. This prevents paper from accumulating around the home. ### Use Technology Technology can support organization. Many apps help track budgets and manage tasks. Digital tools reduce physical clutter while keeping important information organized. ### Let Go of Things That No Longer Bring Joy Many people keep items simply because they were expensive or once held sentimental value. If something no longer adds happiness or usefulness, consider letting it go. Ask yourself honestly if the object or commitment is more important than the peace you want in your life. ### Practice “One In, One Out” To avoid accumulating excess items, remove something old whenever something new enters your home. For example, buying a new shirt could mean donating an older one. This practice encourages more thoughtful purchasing decisions. ### Tidy Up Regularly Regular maintenance keeps clutter from returning. Set aside time each week to organize small messes before they grow. This keeps spaces manageable and prevents overwhelming cleanup sessions later. ### Take Your Time Simplifying life takes patience. Avoid trying to change everything at once. Create a realistic plan and move through it steadily so the process reduces stress instead of adding more. ### Embrace the Journey Minimalism involves more than owning fewer things. It encourages personal reflection and growth. Many people find happiness in simplicity once they remove the distractions that crowd daily life. ## **Living With Greater Intention** Minimalism offers a powerful way to declutter your surroundings and live more intentionally. It may feel challenging at first, but taking thoughtful steps can gradually create a calmer, more organized life. *Keep everyday finances organized and easy to manage. A reliable checking account helps reduce financial clutter and simplify daily money management.* *[*Click here or the button below to open a Boost Checking Account with Dort Financial Credit Union!*](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/click?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJMdgdzazYd8t%2BW88Psu%2F5xARRC3I7%2FkzVW%2Bp%2F6%2B%2BZibi7naNnimvQL0LwullV12%2BCQQqbq0dSVUzPAPLv4ooj6GHcz8XDbQQDd3DVcZVQ%2B6wV8ddhMiFYjr1x37qSy5xAvRAZifjtxgehm2IDw%2FgFZSrz6Nd8ui310rzgBswNPe%2BfFy%2F6Ld63K&portalId=49525284)* *[![Open a High Rate Boost Checking Account Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/49525284/interactive-190244089437.png)](https://life.dortonline.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIV2%2FdHMzq0fPreerdKRJcEWqyZHc97QBkmj6K0%2BUBAnSlPT3tTUvhW%2BSS%2B%2FAgb3nDxb75IdSTUOoFEUPeoAI2AIuSw6f9x6Bo%2FkrZMy2emXD5XDKOuEaaQqm0ydM846%2B5Fd3dXlav6SAlIL6TOZhn8za81VvWqhnhFHAoL3NoagDxtaO9Vh3iw&webInteractiveContentId=190244089437&portalId=49525284)* calendar icon Mar 12, 2026 10:52:16 AM · Reading time 3 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://life.dortonline.org/content/steps-toward-minimalism&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) --- [![Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/hubfs/Artboard%201.svg)](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) ### [Living50+](https://life.dortonline.org/content/author/living50) - [8 Ways to Improve Your Metabolism at Any Age](https://life.dortonline.org/content/-improve-metabolism-any-age) - [Discovering Your Roots: 11 Ways to Connect with Your Heritage](https://life.dortonline.org/content/discovering-roots-connect-heritage) - [How (and Why) To Pick Out Age-Friendly Sunglasses](https://life.dortonline.org/content/how-why-find-age-friendly-sunglasses) - [7 Ideas to Keep Your Marriage Fresh for Years to Come](https://life.dortonline.org/content/ideas-keep-marriage-fresh) ![A Hazy Shade of Winter: Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder](https://life.dortonline.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Winter%20is%20Coming%20Combatting%20Seasonal%20Affective%20Disorder%20(SAD).jpg?width=600&name=Copy%20of%20Winter%20is%20Coming%20Combatting%20Seasonal%20Affective%20Disorder%20(SAD).jpg) [Lifestyle](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/lifestyle)[Diet](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/diet)[Health](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/health)[Mindset](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/mindset)[Sleep](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/sleep)[Care](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/care) ## [A Hazy Shade of Winter: Combating Seasonal Affective Disorder](https://life.dortonline.org/content/winter-combating-seasonal-affective-disorder) Winter can be a dreary time of year for those of us living in cold-weather climates. We miss our... Dec 22, 2025 5:29:46 PMReading time 4 ![Helping Adult Children: Promote Financial Literacy and Avoid Dependency](https://life.dortonline.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pexels-cottonbro-studio-4098152.jpg?width=600&name=pexels-cottonbro-studio-4098152.jpg) [Relationships](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/relationships)[Money](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/money)[RetireSmart](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/retiresmart)[Managing Money](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/managing-money)[Family](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/family) ## [Helping Adult Children: Promote Financial Literacy and Avoid Dependency](https://life.dortonline.org/content/helping-adult-children-promote-financial-literacy-avoid-dependency) The adult children of the Baby Boom generation are taking longer to grow up. A 2019 Pew study... 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Jan 31, 2025 9:30:00 AMReading time 8 ![How to Let Go of Sentimental Items: Tips for Decluttering Your Home](https://life.dortonline.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/iStock-1393065538%20(1).jpg?width=600&name=iStock-1393065538%20(1).jpg) [Housekeeping](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/housekeeping)[Downsizing](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/downsizing)[Lifestyle](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/lifestyle)[Mindset](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/mindset)[Family](https://life.dortonline.org/content/tag/family) ## [How to Let Go of Sentimental Items: Tips for Decluttering Your Home](https://life.dortonline.org/content/etting-go-sentimental-items) Holding onto sentimental items is a common human experience. Whether it's a stack of old letters, a... 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