Becoming A Minimalist: 30-Day Challenge

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Minimalism is a lifestyle centered around the idea of living with less materialistic stuff and creating a simple, happy, clutter-free life.

When starting, it can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you have lots of things you want to declutter and you might be wondering where to begin. 

That’s why I created a 30-day Minimalism challenge that will guide you through the whole process!

In the end, you can find more about the ‘rules’, what to expect from the challenge, variations & an FAQ section.

Now, let’s jump right in.

Week 1: Clothing & Personal items

1. Get rid of unused accessories

That includes purses, bags, suitcases, backpacks, wallets, watches, belts, sunglasses, jewelry, etc. 

Clean up your wallet for unusable cards, receipts, shopping lists, etc. Take all of the other things, and place them on the floor, or a big surface, like a table.

Get rid of:

• Duplicates
• Things that you didn’t use in the last 6+ months
• Broken things 
• Items that are missing a pair, etc. 

2. Keep only comfy undergarments 

Take out all underwear, briefs, bras, and socks that you have. Divide by categories, and get rid of the ones that are:

• Uncomfortable to wear
• With holes, completely worn out

Here are 6 things to do with old underwear.

3. Give away uncomfortable shoes

Same as the previous task, take out all of your shoes. Get rid of the ones that are:

• Uncomfortable
• Completely worn out
• You didn’t use it for the last 6 or more months
• Unused because it’s not your style

Check my article to learn more about where to donate, sell, recycle, or repair old shoes.

4. Simplify personal care

That includes makeup, perfume, hair products, skin products, nail polish, hair ties, etc.

When getting rid of personal products, I imagine I’m going somewhere on a trip for a couple of weeks. 

When this happens, I take a couple of personal products I TRULY need and use them. Then, my cupboard contains only the stuff I don’t use regularly.

Then, you can give things you don’t use to friends and family, sell new items, or donate lightly used items.

Some ideas for each option include the following:

• Poshmark / eBay – sell unused beauty products.
• Glam Bot – a company that buys unused products from these brands, sanitizes them and sells them for you.
• Makeup exchange – exchange things on Reddit.
• Beauty Bus – donate unused and non-expired self-care products.
• FamilyTo Family – Share Your Beauty – the initiative distributes unopened, new beauty and personal care products to homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and foster care agencies. 
• Project Beauty Share – “lightly used” skincare, cosmetics, hair care, and hygiene products and distributes them to disadvantaged women across the country.
• Locally – check in with local homeless and women’s shelters in your area to see if they accept personal care drop-offs. 

5. Don’t spend any money for 24h

A fun little challenge, and you can even consider incorporating one of two ‘no spend days” weekly. 

This can save money but will also make you more mindful of your spending, and prevent impulsive purchases.

To avoid spending money on that day, try to ‘prepare’ yourself. Pack your lunch, make coffee or tea at home, and take it on the go. 

6. Declutter your wardrobe

Take out all your clothing from all possible locations – wardrobe, bags, suitcases, etc. 

Divide into categories, and start decluttering one by one. Create a “Keep,” “Get rid,” and “Maybe” pile. 

Get rid of clothes that don’t fit your current lifestyle or style, are stained, worn out, uncomfortable, or keep them for sentimental reasons.

For the “Maybe” pile, consider:

• How versatile is the item? Is it comfortable? When was the last time you wore it? Are there two or more similar items? 

If you can’t combine it with other pieces, if it’s uncomfortable, the last time you used it was months ago, or if you already have an identical clothing piece. 

Create a “Maybe box” for all the items you’re unsure if you should keep. Put it away, and keep the box for a couple of months (3-4 at most). 

If you haven’t needed anything after that time, it is safe to assume that you should eliminate these items. 

For more tips and a step-by-step guide, follow my article on decluttering your wardrobe in 1 day. 

7. Get rid of duplicates

Go through your dresser, bedside table, bathroom counter, desk, bookshelf, console, dining room table, or kitchen counter. 

Get a bag or a box, and look for any duplicates you have. 

Do you need 10 plain T-shirts, drawers full of pencils and pens, a few mascaras, hand creams, multiple measuring cups, etc.? 

Most of the time, you will only need one, so if you have two sets of certain things, place them inside the bag. 

Then, put it out of sight for 30 days. If you don’t need anything for this period, donate it. 

Week 2: Around the house 

8. Declutter kitchen cabinets

Go through your kitchen cabinets and take out the following:

• Broken items
• Ones that have missing pieces
• Smelly or super old plastic containers
• Excess dishes, cups, or utensils

Decide which one to donate, gift, or recycle. 

9. Fridge and freezer

Clean up your fridge and freezer by taking out:

• Old, rotting, expiring foods
• Things that are still usable, but unopened foods
• Foods that are just about to go bad

Take the opportunity also to clean the fridge. Sort and categorize it, and use containers to keep fresh veggies in. 

Cook something with the older food, and save it from going rotten. You can also make a meal with leftover items and batch-cook something to have food for the next day. 

10. Organize your pantry

Take out all the things from your pantry, and organize them. For example, it can be:

• Condiments and sauces
• Pasta and grains 
• Baking items
• Nuts
• Canned goods
• Spices

Transfer anything from loose open containers to airtight containers or jars. Get rid of expired or super old stuff. Give away unopened things to friends or charities. 

11. Declutter bathroom

Separate the items you use daily (shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) from those you don’t use regularly or at all. Only keep products you use daily.

Then, give away the things you don’t use (remember the list from day 4? Use it!)

Next, consider getting rid of (or just using up and not buying again) some cleaning products.

The truth is that you do not need 10 different cleaning products. Start using a natural cleaning product or a DIY multipurpose one with peels from citrus, vinegar, and water.

You can scrub more persistent spots with baking soda, too. Finally, go through your towels.

Cut old ones into small pieces, and use them as cleaning rags. You can also donate old & used towels to local animal shelters or:

• Paws
• RSPCA
• Animal Humane Society
• Fairfax County

12. Minimize work/hobby supplies

Find filled-out notebooks, old magazines, dried pens or paints, books, manuals, receipts, bills, and documents. 

Get rid of things you don’t or can’t use anymore, and donate the rest to local schools or community centers. 

13. Organize junk drawers

We all have that one drawer that is a complete mess and filled with all sorts of things. To declutter it, take everything out.

Collect the things you don’t use regularly, and donate or recycle it. Use rubber bands, small jars, or containers to keep them organized. 

14. Get rid of unused bedding 

Take out all the bedding you own, and if it’s much more than you need, consider one of the following:

• If the pillows or sheets are gently used, you can donate them to a local thrift store, homeless shelter, or pet rescue center.
• Upcycle very worn-out sheets and pillowcases by cutting them up into cleaning rags.
• You can reuse old bedsheets by cutting them into squares or rectangles and wrapping gifts. (to find out how, Google “furoshiki”) It is a great zero waste way to wrap up an estate without using single-use cute wrapping paper that will be teared up and tossed in the trash in a matter of seconds.

Week 3: Digital Declutter

15. Don’t check email/social media until lunch

Do what’s your priority for your day. If you have a to-do list, then start with it.

Try to be mindful of your social media usage. Don’t waste the most productive hours of your day on it. 

Try to keep this rule and stay away from social media until noon.

16. Declutter your phone/PC

Take your phone and delete all apps you didn’t use for the last few months. Then, delete blurry, duplicated, and unwanted photos.

Continue with your PC/laptop, and do the same – delete unwanted images and files, and organize your document into folders. 

17. Get rid of old unused electronics

Find old headphones, MP3 players, computer mouses, phone chargers, etc., and get rid of them. Sell or donate the ones working fine, and recycle/upcycle the broken ones. 

18. Cancel unnecessary subscriptions and memberships

Get rid of digital (or even physical) things like newspaper subscriptions, tv or music streaming services, subscription boxes, shopping memberships, etc. 

19. Unsubscribe from emails

Spend at least 30 minutes cleaning up your email. Delete unnecessary or spam emails, and unsubscribe from the ones you never check.

20. Turn off the notifications

Receiving push notifications every 5 minutes is distracting and can lower your workflow and performance. 

So, turn off all notifications – if someone needs you urgently, they will find a way to contact you (good old phone calls!).

Try to be mindful of your social media consumption today. Pick one of two-time slots to check your email, voicemail, and social media feeds.

21. Go screen-free after six

Instead of watching tv, checking email, or scrolling social media, do something else. For example, journal, read a book, make a to-do list for tomorrow, spend more time with your friends/family, etc.  

Week 4: Mind “Reset”

22. Write between 3-5 top priorities

Make a list of all the reasons you want to live more simply. Above all, minimalism is about figuring out what matters most to you. 

So, why do you want to live a more minimal life? Do you want clarity and focus on what’s essential in your life? 

Or perhaps you are sick of the clutter around you (inside your head) and want to get rid of it? Whatever it is – write it down. 

Your whys will help you remember what matters and help you to find out how to do more of the things you enjoy.

23. Self-care day

Start the day intentionally, and do something relaxing or fun. Go for a run, spend time lying in the grass, listen to your favorite tunes, dance, etc.

24. Practice gratitude

I sometimes feel that we are conditioned to see on the negative things in life, and focus on the ‘lacking’. But the reality is that we all have tons of things to be grateful for.

And we all know that, but it’s good to be reminded of it. Practicing gratitude will switch your mindset, and make you appreciate all the small things in your life.

You can write down a list of the things you’re grateful for, and if you feel inspired, start a ‘gratitude journal’, and write daily there.

25. Exercise/stretch

Working out releases happiness hormones, instantly boosting your energy and contentment. Pick a time of the day when you will be free for at least 20 minutes.

Then decide what you would like to do. You can go for a run, do a simple stretch, do a yoga flow, etc. 

26. ‘No complaints’ day 

Complaining is a silly bad habit – when you try to get conscious of it, you can see how much it appears in our daily lives.

The thing is that when focusing on what is bothering you, you automatically enter a negative state of mind, which ultimately attracts more of the same. 

Even if it may seem small and insignificant, it can negatively affect your life/ We all know it is pointless to complain about things you cannot control, but sometimes we can’t help it 😀

The first step is to become conscious of it. So, today try to practice that, and whenever something triggers a complaint, stop for a second. First, try to understand why this thing triggered you.

While it can be hard not to complain, even for tiny things, it is a great way to positively change your mindset and be more aware of your emotions and triggers. 

27. Write tomorrow’s to-do list before bed

Take 5 minutes to write a to-do list for the upcoming day. This can help you fall asleep quicker, and get better sleep, as mentally “offloading” responsibilities before bed frees the mind and primes it for a good night’s sleep.

28. Examine your daily habits 

The “No complaints” days can be a fantastic way to identify your stress triggers. By noticing your stress triggers, you can get closer to what is negatively affecting you. 

If you catch yourself worried, stop for a second, and figure out the reason behind your worries. By paying attention to your emotions, you will discover the habits that make you fulfilled and the ones that make you anxious.

Write down everything to help you create a plan to reduce the actions that stress you out and increase your happy triggers. 

29. Spend 30 minutes outside

Spending time outside has both physical and mental benefits. 

While breaking your day or work by going outside can seem counterproductive, it can improve your mood and concentration, boost your energy, and lower your stress levels.

So, try to incorporate a short walk today at a time when you’re normally doing something else.

30. Get rid of time-wasting activities 

To embrace minimalism in a meaningful way, get rid of activities that are wasting your time. This can be:

• Meeting people who make you feel not-that-great = Meeting people who recharge you & you have fun with
• Watching or reading the news = Going for a walk in nature
• Playing too many video games = Reading a book
• Social media = Practicing an old or new hobby, etc.

‘Rules’, what to expect & variations:

Rules for the challenge

The rules are simple – do one assignment every day. The order isn’t essential, and if you have to skip a day, that’s fine, just come back to it.

You can, of course, make minor tweaks to make the challenge fit better with your lifestyle. 

You can also print out the assignments (find the files at the end) and cross them off one by one to keep track of your progress. 

What to expect

The 30-day challenge is like a reset. It is beneficial, and it will inspire you:

• To live a simpler, more intentional life. 
• To get rid of stuff you don’t need.
• To have more time and energy for the things & people you love.
• To start each day with motivation and excitement for the new goal.
• To realize that minimalism is not only about material things.

Once you complete each goal, you can see which of the tasks you enjoyed the most, and then, you can choose to incorporate some of the things in your life.

Variations

The challenge is a compilation of 30 simple daily tasks for a month. 

However, 30 days is a long time and if it’s currently hard for you to commit for one whole month, I created a couple of variations that can make it easier.

Being committed to a 7- or 10-day challenge is way more manageable, and you can proceed with the second part of the challenge whenever you feel ready.

Scroll to the end to find three different variations of the challenge. Feel free to download the one that suits you best.  (7-day challenge, 10-day challenge, 30-day challenge)

FAQ:

What exactly is minimalism?

The concept of minimalism is very open to interpretation.

There is no set of rules that you must follow to be a minimalist, and it can mean different things to different people.

At its core, minimalism is living with what is necessary and owning only the items you use in everyday life. 

The point of minimalism isn’t to be restrictive. It helps to remove anything that distracts us from living intentionally. 

It is about shifting your mindset, changing your relationship with what & why you own certain things, and letting only the most essential physical or mental things occupy your space and time. 

What are the benefits of minimalism?

The benefit of minimalism is to remove the external clutter and the internal one (emotional & mental).

It can reduce stress and anxiety while freeing up space for things, activities, and experiences that matter to you. 

Minimalism can help you become a mindful consumer, buying only things you truly need and saving money.  

You will feel happier and more fulfilled as you consciously choose to live a clutter-free, healthy life.

How long does it take to become a minimalist?

It is different for everyone. Some might need a couple of months, others – a couple of years.

Similar to any lifestyle change, it can take time. It can’t happen overnight, and it is an ongoing process.

Take it easy and transition to a more simple & clutter-free life at your own pace.

How to get rid of stuff, sustainably?

It’s essential to be mindful of your waste while practicing minimalism and doing it sustainably. Here are some ideas to do that:

DONATE 

First, remember to always wash things before donating. Then look for some local drop-off donation centers. Look for Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other communities accepting charity and donated goods. 

RESELL 

Use online resell apps like Poshmark, AptDeco, LetGo, Mercari, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace. You can also get a commission at offline used goods stores. 

RECYCLE 

If it’s in poor condition and can’t be donated or sold, recycle it. Follow local instructions on how to recycle specific waste. You can find 20 recycling drop-off locations here.

GIFT/SWAP

Give it to someone in need. Ask friends and coworkers if they want anything from your discard pile or organize a Clothing swap (or swap other specific things, like kid’s items, clothing, books, Christmas stuff, kitchen tools, beauty items, accessories, etc.)

Sum up

There you have it – a 30-day challenge to live a more simple life. In case you find yourself struggling with letting go of stuff, ask yourself: 

• Does this item add value to my life?
• Do I use it often? Do I have a similar item already?
• Does it help me to live to my fullest potential?

Answering these questions will hopefully help you to let go of things.

Finally, consider sticking to some of these ideas and repeating some parts of the challenge every once in a while. This will help you to keep focus on your goal.

How do you like the challenge? Will you give it a go?

Let me know in the comments below! 

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Variations:

To see the images bigger, you can download them.

4-Week Minimalist challenge:

10-Day Minimalism Challenges: