If you want to live more simply, you have to create new habits. Habits are created over a period of time. Today, I’ll teach you how to create a minimalist habit in 14 days.
Living a minimalist lifestyle is not something that happens overnight. It’s a journey. If you’re truly committed to living with less stuff, it’s the journey of a lifetime.
How To Create A Minimalist Habit
First, you need to decide what kind of minimalist habit you want to work on. Here are some possibilities:
- Buy less stuff
- Keep the clutter clear
- Use less fuel
- Eat more healthy
- Reduce time spent online
Whatever minimalist habit you’d like to create, you need to make an intentional choice.
Second, you might want to write your goal down. I don’t always do this, but find I’m more likely to succeed when I write my goal down.
Once you’ve chosen your minimalist habit and you’ve written down your goal, the hard work begins.
14 Days Starts Easy, But…
So, for the sake of example, let’s use the first minimalist habit on the list: Buy Less Stuff.
To start this habit, you’ll need to buy nothing but absolute necessities for 14 days. The only thing you should buy is food and gas. Even then, if you’re prepared, you should be able to go two weeks without spending any money other than paying bills.
Day 1: It’s easy. You probably won’t buy anything because you’re excited to start your new habit.
Day 2: Still pretty easy, but be careful not to absentmindedly buy something for lunch. Although food is a necessity, eating out is not.
Day 3: Don’t buy anything.
Day 4: You might want to leave your money and credit cards at home.
Days 5-10: See day 4.
Day 11: If you’ve made it this far, you’re doing great. But it’s also getting more difficult. You’ve gone 10 days. Four more days will be easy. Focus on something else, a hobby or exercise.
Day 12: Don’t give up. You’ve got this!
Day 13: You’re almost there.
Day 14: You did it!
But It’s What You Do Next That Really Matters
After 14 days of not buying anything, you’ve started to create a new minimalist habit. Of course you’ll have to buy things again. But don’t binge. It’s like a diet. It won’t work if you yo-yo back into overspending. You have to turn your new habit into a lifestyle.
Make a point to continue the new habit as often as you can. In time, you’ll discover that you’re buying less stuff on a regular basis. The same holds true for clearing clutter, using less fuel, or spending less time online.
Habits are started in a couple of short weeks. They’re kept by discipline and commitment.
I hope you’ll continue on your minimalist journey. If you’d like some help along the way, I encourage you to keep coming back to Hip Diggs for inspiration. Read some of Hip Diggs’ classic posts. Just click the link below:
