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.

But if you’re unsure where to start or feel overwhelmed by clutter, this 30-day minimalist challenge will guide you day by day.

Whether you’re wondering how to become a minimalist or you’re seeking a structured path to a simpler lifestyle, this guide covers everything from your closet to your mindset.

Why a 30-day minimalist challenge?

This challenge breaks the process into daily actions. No more decision fatigue or vague goals. Just small, consistent steps to help you become a minimalist in 30 days, without guilt or pressure.

At the end, you’ll find answers to FAQs, rule variations, and encouragement to keep going beyond the 30 days.

WEEK 1: Wardrobe & personal stuff

Day 1: Declutter accessories

Sort through bags, purses, wallets, belts, jewelry, sunglasses, and more. Toss anything that’s:

• Broken
• Duplicated
• Unused for 6+ months
• Missing a pair or part

Clear out your wallet, too – receipts, old cards, etc.

2. Keep only comfy undergarments 

Sort underwear, bras, and socks into:

• Keep: comfortable and intact
• Discard: torn, worn out, or uncomfortable

📌 6 things to do with old underwear

3. Give away uncomfortable & unused shoes

Keep only the shoes you wear. Let go of:

• Outdated or not your style
• Uncomfortable or damaged pairs
• Pairs unused in the last 6 months

👉 Where to donate or recycle shoes

4. Simplify personal care

Take stock of your makeup, skincare, hair care, etc. Ask:

“If I were traveling for two weeks, what would I actually pack?”

Declutter unused or expired items, duplicates, and products that don’t work for your skin/hair.

Donation/resale ideas:

• Poshmark / eBay – Sell unused beauty products online.
• Glam Bot – Sells unused items from select brands after sanitizing.
• Makeup exchange – exchange things on Reddit.
• Beauty Bus – Donate new, unused self-care items.
• Family-to-Family: Share Your Beauty – Distributes unopened beauty products to shelters and foster care agencies.
• Project Beauty Share – Accepts lightly used beauty/hygiene items for women in need.
• Local shelters – Check if nearby shelters accept personal care donations.

5. No-spend challenge (for 24 hours)

Take a break from buying anything today – no coffee runs, no late-night online shopping, no “just browsing” that turns into a cart.

Why? Hitting pause for a day helps you notice habits, impulses, and how often you buy out of boredom or convenience.

6. Declutter your wardrobe

Day 6: Declutter Your Wardrobe

Take out all the clothing you own and sort by category; make 3 piles:

• Keep
• Maybe
• Donate/Sell

For your “Maybe” pile, ask:

• Have I worn this in the last 6 months?
• Is it comfortable and versatile?
• Do I have duplicates?

Store the “maybe” items in a box for 3-4 months. If you don’t miss anything, let it go.

👉 How to declutter your wardrobe in 1 day

7. Get rid of duplicates

Scan your home for duplicate items:

• T-shirts, pens, mugs, mascara, tools, measuring cups, etc.

Put extras in a box and store them for 30 days. Didn’t use them? Donate or recycle.

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 to:

• Organize better: Use labels, “Eat Me First” bins, and group items to prevent waste.
• Cook with it: Use up expiring items in soups, stir-fries, or batch meals.
• Freeze it: Save produce, bread, or leftovers by freezing them.
• Share it: Offer usable items to friends, neighbors, or community fridges.
• Donate it: Give unopened, non-expired items to local food banks (if accepted).
• Compost it: Compost spoiled or inedible food scraps.

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 the bathroom

Keep only the essentials:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

Declutter 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 vinegar, citrus peels & water.

Old towels? Cut 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 

Only keep what you use:

• A couple of sheet sets
• Extra pillows only if necessary

Gently used? Donate. Worn-out? Turn into rags or reusable gift wrap with furoshiki cloth folding.

Week 3: Digital declutter

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

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 & laptop

Delete:

• Old apps
• Blurry/duplicate photos
• Random screenshots

Organize files into folders. Back up important data.

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 6-8 pm

Instead of scrolling, try:

• Planning your next day
• Reading
• Journaling
• Talking to a friend

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. 

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 and want to get rid of it? Whatever it is, write it down. 

Your whys will help you remember what matters and help you 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.

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. Today, you can write down a list of the things you’re grateful for.

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 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, it’s easy to 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, and 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 worrying, 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 feel 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 waste 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.

Challenge rules & expectations

Rules:

• One task per day for 30 days – order is flexible.
• Skip a day if needed, just return to it later.
• Tweak the tasks to suit your lifestyle.
• Download and print the checklist (7, 10, or 30-day versions) to track progress.

What to expect:

• A reset to live more intentionally.
• Decluttered space, clearer mind, and renewed energy.
• More time for what (and who) you love.
• Discover what habits or tasks you want to keep long-term.
• Realize that minimalism is about more than just “stuff.”

Challenge variations:

• Mix and match or pause between sections as needed.
• 7-day, 10-day, and 30-day options available.
• Start small if 30 days feels like too much right now.

Getting 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 – 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 kids’ items, clothing, books, Christmas stuff, kitchen tools, beauty items, accessories, etc.)

Final thoughts

Becoming a minimalist is about aligning your life with your values, not living out of a backpack or owning only 100 things.

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 let go of things. Whatever is your goal start small and stay intentional.

Variations:

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4-Week Minimalist Challenge:

10-Day Minimalism Challenges: