You don’t have to wait until the New Year has been rung in to make a change in your life, and making your life and surroundings simpler and more intentional can help you into the New Year with ease. Adopting a more minimalist lifestyle can help you through the bright lights, commercialism, tinsel and constant soundtrack of the jingling bells that is Christmas. A simpler, more minimalist lifestyle doesn’t mean stripping away joy, decanting all your consumables into perfect containers or living in a stark, empty home; it’s about curating your life to align with your values, priorities, and passions. We’ve rounded up some ideas on how you can start your journey toward living more intentionally.

1. Start with a Mindset Shift

To help you with your decluttering journey, reflect on your “why”. What is the reason you want to embrace minimalism? Is it to reduce stress, create more space, save money, or live more sustainably? Take a moment and try and visualise what a minimalist life would look like for you. Everyone’s space and mind is different so write it in a letter to yourself, voice note or journal or create a Pinterest board with your inspiration. This mental clarity will keep you grounded as you make the tough changes.

Look up inspiration in philosophy such as the Japanese ‘Concept of Ma’. In Japan, the idea of ma represents the beauty of empty space and intentionality. It’s not just about removing things but appreciating the room they create for thought, movement, and calm. As you’re decluttering, try and apply ma to your life by viewing minimalism as a way to create more space for what matters, rather than simply getting rid of things.

2. Declutter with Purpose

When you feel like you have your why, then it’s time to declutter. Start small and pick one area, maybe your wardrobe, kitchen drawers, fridge, or even your email inbox. Use the “four-box method”—keep, donate, recycle, or rubbish — to make decisions.

Put on an audiobook to keep you company and keep you motivated while you’re doing this. If you get distracted easily then go for something immersive like a fiction from your favourite author or a full cast audio. If you find you second guess yourself in the decluttering process then try a book that will help inspire you to keep going such as The Swedish Art of Döstädning. Also known as The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning, it’s a Swedish practice of decluttering in order to make life easier for yourself and others. Although the name may sound morbid but it does have some practical tips like:

• Start with larger items and move to smaller ones.
• Begin with storage spaces like attics, basements, and cupboards.
• Ask yourself if anyone you know would be happier if you kept an item.
• Create piles for keeping, giving away, and mending.
• Designate a specific space for everything you’re keeping.
• Create a “Permission to Throw Away” box for photos, letters, and other sentimental items.

3. Simplify Your Wardrobe

So many clothes and never anything to wear. If you feel like this you might have a lot of things in your wardrobe that no longer serve you. It’s the first decision we make everyday and a cluttered wardrobe can quickly contribute to decision fatigue. A capsule wardrobe is a once a season project that will help you feel confident that you have something to wear for every scenario and if you do it seasonally, it will always fit and always be suitable for the weather. Fingers crossed. Go for a mix of versatile, classic pieces with trend or signature pieces to always look up to date and bring your personality into your style.

• Declutter – Remove items that don’t fit, are beyond repair, or you haven’t worn in a year. You can donate, give away, or throw them out.
• Choose a colour palette – Use colour theory to choose colours that complement your complexion and personal style. This will make it easier to mix and match items.
• Consider your lifestyle – Think about the activities you do regularly and choose pieces that can transition between them.
• Organise – Display your remaining items neatly in your wardrobe so it’s easier to select them when you’re dressing.
• Edit regularly – Edit your wardrobe every six months or three months to keep things manageable.

4. Embrace Digital Minimalism

Minimalism isn’t just about physical possessions – it applies to your digital life too. Most of us have an email inbox that’s overflowing with unread emails or a photo roll that begs you to delete something before you can take any more pictures. Make yourself a cup of coffee and a snack and sit down to purposefully tackle some of the digital clutter that you’ve let build up. Remove unused apps from your phone, organise your hard drive, tidy up your desktop. This is a huge topic with so much more to delve in to but the best tip is to choose and schedule a time each week to tackle your life admin and don’t let anyone interrupt you.

5. Rethink Your Schedule

Minimalism isn’t just about possessions; it’s about your time as well. Stop saying yes to everyone and take stock of you commitments and activities. If you’re running from work to the gym and back to hobby and housework so often that you don’t have time to cook healthy food and are resorting to junk, then you’re sabotaging the reason you’re going to the gym. Practice saying no to avoid overloading your calendar and yourself.

The Italians have a concept called dolce far niente, or “the sweetness of doing nothing,” which encourages us to embrace moments of rest and idleness. This can also mean enjoying the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with friends and family, going to the beach or taking a long lunch alone. The idea is that by filling your time with structured activities, you can make you miss out on the beauty of life.

Final Thoughts

The journey of minimalism is a different for everyone and there is no one-size-fits-all. It’s not about achieving perfection but about aligning your life with what truly brings you joy, peace, and purpose. By starting small and staying intentional, you can craft a life that’s lighter, freer, and more fulfilling.