5 Minimalist Actions in 5 Minutes

We never have enough time. We never get the chance to do what we want. We never enjoy life. Those are all phrases that I hear all too often from very close friends and family. I know all of our lives can be chaotic at times, but allowing your life to be overcome by the unnecessary is, well, unnecessary.

By implementing minimalist habits, I believe you will be able to free up more time to be doing what you love. It is tough to change your normal habits, but doing so in a positive way will make you enjoy life a little more everyday.

The following are 5 simple minimalist actions you can take that can be completed in under 5 minutes:

Organize Your To-Go Area. A to-go area is the area you leave your items you take with you whenever you walk out the door. I suggest having a simple end table or bookshelf near your entryway that you are able to place things on top of. Set a bowl on top for each person who will be using this area. Then make it a rule that if your items do not fit in the bowl, then they are not allowed on the To-Go area. This will force you to stick with the necessary items.
Eliminate One Item a Day. Make it a habit of eliminating one item from your household everyday. Now that doesn’t mean to add new items, it means that you should attempt to reduce your stuff. Doing this one at a time is simple, doesn’t take long, and isn’t as painful as a full clean out. Sell it, donate it or toss it.
Get Everything Off the Bedroom Floor. Anything that doesn’t have a permanent home on the bedroom floor should be re-organized in it’s proper home. Done daily, this action will keep you prepared and allow for a stress free morning.
Clean the Kitchen Counter. Keep where your food lies clean. Put everything away and clean the dishes as soon as they are done being used. This action creates a simplistic, organized mindset.
Write Down a Goal a Day. Have a list on your desk that you update daily with goals including ways to create a simpler lifestyle.

These are just a few of the many tips you can implement in 5 minutes or less. Let me know if they help.

David Damron
The Minimalist Path

Click here to get a copy of PROJECT M-31: Simply Your Life in 31 Days

Bryce Summerell

Thanks heaps. Great little summary. Always appreciate minimalism, found this researching for a 3 minute TED talk I'm writing about minimalism/simplicity in life (main focus on twitter). Appreciate the thought provocation.

http://www.meetbryce.com
Mark Alex

I do wish there were more people like you around on the interwebs. Not many people are careful with their words, including myself sometimes. I have written things I would love to take back but now its not possible.
Sharon Heritch

I am enjoying your website; thanks for the good ideas.

In order to aid in clear communication going forward, may I suggest you might want to avoid the use of 'simplistic' (oversimplified, ignoring complexities or subtleties) in favor of 'simple', 'simplified', or 'uncluttered'.

Just cleaned off my desk, and ended up wiping up the dust and dead bugs behind the desk. That was yucky. Maybe I'm taking this too far?

Cheers,
Sharon
admin

@Johnathan Frei & @Greg Walsh:

Greg is dead on. That is the point I was trying to make. Thanks for clarifying for me Greg

David Damron
The Minimalist Path
Living Remarkably

I love this simple list of things to do to reduce clutter and, eventually, get over clutter building up again. When clutter starts to take over my life, I tend to get overwhelmed easily, then more clutter, and so on and so on...

It's so much easier for a lot of people, like me, to focus on a "short list" of clutter-busters. The list you have made here of 5 simple things is a great way to minimalize without getting overwhelmed. Thanks for the ideas! I'm breaking it down to doing one each day for five days until they feel like a habit. Thanks again!
.-= Living Remarkably´s last blog ..You’re Never Too Old For A Quickie – Scott’s At It Again =-.
Greg Walsh

I agree with the one goal a day comment, correct me if i'm wrong but I think Dave is referring to those list makers out there (me included) to limit yourself to one goal so that you can concentrate one whats most important.
.-= Greg Walsh´s last blog ..A Simple Thank You costs less =-.
Brett

Minimalism is good.
Jonathan Frei

I don't know if the tip to write down a goal a day should be part of a minimalist life style. It seems like these goals would add up quickly, 7 per week, 365 per year.

It seems like it might be more minimalistic to elimiate one goal a day to become more focused on the things that are most important in your life.
.-= Jonathan Frei´s last blog ..How to develop a healthy information diet =-.
Chris Harnish

Great! I love such a minimal easy list that I can refer to. Getting rid of one thing a day is a great idea. 365 things a year! That should reduce a lot of my clutter.

Chris
Jikeb

Awesome. Thanks for this minimalist advices.