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13 of the Best Minimalist Books to Help You Begin Your Journey

Filed Under: Minimalism // February 4, 2025

This post is all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a simpler life.

Minimalism is a trending topic as more and more people become aware of the over consumption culture rampant today. If you are one of the many who find yourself discontent with your current consumerism and wishing to add more intentionality back into your life, this list of the best minimalist books will help give you a place to start.

Whether you need help changing your mindset towards clutter and consumerism, a practical guide for decluttering, or help living waste-free, there is a book for you.

Minimalist books to Change your mindset

1. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself And Your Family From a Lifetime of Clutter

In The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson explains that the Swedish undertake a “death cleaning” of sorts, often all throughout their lives. This concept shows that life is more important than things, and minimalism can help put both in order. Through her humor and wit, Magnusson helps readers navigate which things can easily be let go of and which possessions may need more contemplation. This is the perfect book for anyone who is looking for inspiration to let go so their children don’t have to, while enjoying every moment of the life they have left.

Perfect for: Anyone seeking inspiration to declutter while embracing the beauty of life

2. Hello, Habits: A minimalists Guide To A Better Life

If you are tired of the relentless cycle of buying more things and then decluttering them a few months later, consider making minimalism a habit with Fumio Sasaki. In his book, Sasaki explores the habits easily formed by everyone, such as waking up in the morning, exercise, a weekly phone call with loved ones, and the food you regularly eat. Expounding from this idea that life is made up of habits, Sasaki explains how anyone can acquire new habits and get rid of less desirable ones. This step-by-step guide to success is perfect for anyone looking to change their mindset about the habits that make up their lives.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of the consumerism and decluttering cycle

3. The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store

Imagine a year of only buying consumable goods – groceries, a few toiletries, and gas for your car. How would this change impact your wallet? How would this change impact your environment? These are some of the questions that Cait Flanders found herself asking in her late 20’s. Being sick of the endless consumerism wheel and having nearly $30,000 in debt, she knew she needed to make a drastic change.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, have been thinking about doing a no-buy year, or just want a new perspective on consumerism, Flanders relatable memoir will be an inspiration to you. Not only was she able to live for a year without adding to the consumerism cycle, but she also discovered how to stop shopping when bored. She decluttered her apartment, getting rid of over 70% of her possessions, and she learned how to fix things when they broke.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs inspiration to quit shopping and be content with what they have

4. Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Society likes to preach a gospel that life and purpose is centered around accumulation wealth and possessions here on earth. This should be the driving factor in your life because it promotes power and prestige. However, as Christians, we hear the message that Jesus spoke of selling everything your have to give to the poor so you can follow Him wholeheartedly.

If you find yourself struggling to reconcile your consumeristic habits and desires with the message Jesus taught, Christian Minimalism will help you navigate those intricacies. Becca Ehrlich takes you along with her as she explores how to live a purpose driven life in the grace of God. Although this is not a book that gives practical steps for decluttering your home, Ehrlich teaches how to simplify in other areas of your life by removing spiritual clutter.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to align how they live with their Christian beliefs

best books on minimalism — These books can help you understand how simplifying can change your life.

5. Decluttering At The Speed Of Life: Winning Your Never-ending Battle With Stuff

Known mainly for her energetic personality on her YouTube channel, Dana White brings you years of experience helping others declutter their homes. In her book, White explores different emotional challenges that may arise for anyone trying to declutter, and helps you work through them. This helps to not only complete your decluttering process, but also reach the minimalist level you desire quickly and efficiently. If you want to begin decluttering step-by-step, but get hung up by feelings of overwhelm anytime you try, this book is for you.

Perfect for: Anyone who struggles with decision making during the decluttering process

Minimalist books to help you declutter room by room

6. The More Of Less: Finding The Life You Want Under Everything You Own

Joshua Becker is considered one of the early pioneers of American minimalism, even staring in his own Netflix documentary “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things.” Although he has written many helpful decluttering and minimalist books, The More Of Less stands out in my mind because of it’s emphasis on helping you see the joy of owning less, rather than more.

Becker points out that the American dream has become synonymous with owning as much as you can. He himself was on this hamster wheel of earning more money so he could buy more things until one day when he was cleaning out his garage. Feeling defeated at moving things around instead of playing ball with his son, he was taken aback when a neighbor commented that he didn’t have to own everything he did. That simple interaction was the start of his minimalist journey, and he now dedicates his life to helping others find freedom through the simplicity of minimalism.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace minimalism as a lifestyle, not a project

7. Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism

Another classic of the minimalist books, Goodbye, Things is a practical step-by-step guide to help you declutter your whole home. As an extreme Minimalist, Fumio Sasaki lives in a tiny Tokyo apartment with only the bare minimum. (His closet consists of only three shirts, four pairs of pants, four socks). Although this lifestyle is not for everyone (or even most minimalists), Sasaki provides great insight to help your decluttering journey. If you are looking for minimalist inspiration to help your say goodbye to absolutely everything you don’t need, give Goodbye, Things a try today.

Perfect for: Anyone who needs help detaching from their possessions

8. Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life

If you are looking for a beautifully designed, coffee-table type book that also provides minimalist inspiration, look no further! Minimalista is the perfect book to demonstrate through pictures, the simplicity and aesthetic of minimalism. In her book, Gill promises to help you find and elevate your personal style by getting rid of excess belongings. She does this in a unique and visually appealing way, helping you find new motivation in each and every room.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants an aesthetic guide toward minimalism

Minimalist books for Parents

9. Clutter-free with Kids: Change your thinking. Discover new habits. Free your home

Anyone with kids knows that things pile up quickly. Whether it be sentimental nursery decor, too-small clothes, or an endless array of toys, there is always a mess to be organized. Joshua Becker was no stranger to the cluttered chaos that his kids brought into his home, but through his own minimalism journey, he discovered his kid’s delight over owning less stuff. Here, Becker outlines the 10 most common clutter problems for parents – and gives you the tools you need to solve them in your home.

Perfect for: Any parent struggling with the chaos kids bring

best minimalist books — These 13 minimalist books will be sure to inspire you.

Minimalist books to help you declutter by category

10. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up

Do you know the things you own that spark joy when you hold them? These are the things that are worth keeping because they add value to your life and fill you with pleasure. So often, we hold on to things “just because,” even though we don’t enjoy having them around.

This is the entire concept of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up. Learning what sparks joy in your ilfe and letting everything else go. This revolutionary book will walk you through your entire home, category-by-category, helping you declutter and love the space you’re in.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to embrace the joy of their belongings

Minimalist books to help you declutter your closet

11. Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really is So Much More

If you’ve looked into minimalism at all, chances are, you’ve come across the concept presented in Project 333. Here, Courtney Carver starts you on a minimalist journey in your wardrobe, giving you tangible rules to follow so you don’t become overwhelmed. These rules are simple: you have 3 months to live with only 33 articles of clothing in your wardrobe. If this sounds impossible to you, consider embracing this challenge and reading through Carver’s insightful book.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to start their minimalist journey in their closet

Minimalist books to help free you from Technology

12. Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focus Life in a Noisy World

Minimalism is not just about owning less stuff. It is also about simplifying every aspect of you life so that you can live intentionally with more purpose and value. If you are tired of letting your technology dictate how you live, Cal Newport shows how you can take back your life. Here, Newport explains that technology is neither good nor bad, and it can be used to support your goals and values if you have the right tools. Pulling inspiration from tech giants in Silicon Valley to Amish Farmers in Pensilvania, he shows that everyone can take steps to become free from the pull of modern tech.

Perfect for: Anyone who is tired of letting technology dictate their life

Minimalist books for taking it a step further

13. Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste

How much garbage do you produce each year? If you find yourself disgusted at the thought of taking out yet another bag of garbage to the dump, consider gaining wisdom from Zero Waste Home. Author Bea Johnson shares how she, her husband, and her two sons are able to produce a mere one quart of annual garbage. This zero waste life has had more of an impact that she originally thought, including gaining more family time and reducing their spending by 40%. Here, Johnson share her best advise, tips, and secrets to help you live a more purposeful and less waste-filled life.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to take minimalism to the next level by living consciously

Which minimalist books will you pick up first?

There are so many amazing options out there when it comes to giving you inspiration for decluttering.

As you begin your journey toward a simpler, more intentional life, the wisdom found in these minimalist books can guide and inspire you every step of the way. Whether you’re tackling a cluttered closet, reevaluating your habits, or seeking to align your faith and lifestyle, there’s a book here that can help you meet your needs.

Ready to take the first step? Start with one book that resonates most with your current goals. Then, share your progress in the comments below—I’d love to hear about your journey and favorite takeaways! Let’s embrace simplicity together!

This post was all about the best minimalist books to help you begin your journey toward a decluttered and waste-free home.

How Living with less can transform your life

Filed Under: Minimalism // December 24, 2024

This post is all about how living with less can transform your life and help you experience more joy and freedom.

Most people live in a state of wanting more. Chasing more. Being more. Having more. And needing more. This endless cycle leads to dissatisfaction, even when life seems picture-perfect on the outside

We are told that the more you have, the more successful you are, and vice versa. But that isn’t always true.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

When you give yourself permission to slow down and embrace living with less, you’ll find your life transformed in more ways than one. Here are some ways that living with less can help you enjoy life more.

From complaining to contentment: jumping off the rat-race

Have you ever heard the saying, “The more you have, the more you have to have.”? This is becoming more true as I look around at today’s culture. I see countless ads for organizational tools to help others manage their clutter. There are hundreds of different options for packing away your out-of-season clothes or ways to contain your shoe collection.

With just a few clicks, you can have anything shipped to your door in two days.

Although it feels great to have the dopamine boost when ordering and unpacking everything, soon that feeling wears off into discontentment as you search for the next thing to make you happy.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of having fleeting moments of joy with long spans of discontentment in between, you can jump off the rat race of needing to purchase the latest fad.

Living with less can help transform your life as you realize what matters. Then you can let go with confidence.

There is more joy to living with less

The more you have, the more you’ll want. For some reason, getting the job promotion, bigger house, or newer car doesn’t seem to satisfy us for long. Pretty soon, we start working toward the next thing that we just have to have.

Living with less tends to have the opposite effect on us. When we choose to live with less, we are intentionally adding things of value to our lives and rejecting anything that does not align with our goals and priorities. Because of this, living with less means finding joy and contentment with what you have and the season of life you are in, even as you work towards your goal.

Living with less allows you to figure out your priorities

So often, we get caught up in the Instagram aesthetic of what we think the perfect life looks like. And we lose sight of our own priorities and desires. When you intentionally live with less, saying no to the fads that pop up, you begin to realize your own personal style. You realize the things in life that really matter to you, and the things that you can let go.

Because I choose to live with less, I am very intentional about the things that I bring into my home. They have to align with my priorities in life. For instance, the last thing I purchased was a planner. Before I even looked into planners, I knew that I would need something to help me to stay on track in multiple area of my life. In the upcoming year, I needed a way to organize work, life changes (having a baby and moving), a toddler, meal planning, and expense tracking. Once I found a planner that could do all that, I thought about it for over a month. I wanted to make sure that it would serve me how I needed and not just be an empty purchase.

Living with a mindset of less allowed me to be able to wait and find a planner I love, because I was not focused on being like everyone else. I had time to think of my own life and priorities and use that to serve my needs.

Living with less means you have more money for things you enjoy

Imagine having the money to go on the vacation you’ve always dreamed of, or being able to buy the expensive dress you’ve had your eye on for a year now. Living with less can free up the funds to allow you to enjoy the things you once thought out of reach because you no longer make impulse purchases. Instead of buying whatever you see, you ask yourself if the purchase will benefit you in the long run. Does it align with your goals and vision for your life? Or can you get away with leaving it at the store (or your online shopping cart)?

When you live with less you are less tempted to spend money on things that don’t matter. Instead, saving up for the things that you know will add value to your life.

how to live with less — Transform your life through these tips.

Stop spending time on things you don’t enjoy

No one enjoys cleaning, right? Well, maybe there are a few people who find satisfaction in tidying up a messy home or deep cleaning their fridge. But, for the most part, we get overwhelmed with the thought of having to do another load of laundry or running the dishwasher again. We get tired of the kids throwing their toys all over the living room within five minutes of us picking them up. It’s exhausting to do the same set of cleaning ritual without fail day after day, only to have the home looking like nothing has been kept up on in the last month.

Living with less means you’ll spend less time doing what you don’t enjoy. Hear me out. If you paired down your kids’ toys by 80% (studies show they only play with 20% anyway), how much time would you save cleaning up after them? And if you ruthlessly went through your home, decluttering anything that you don’t use and love, how much time would you free up from managing it?

Related post: 15 Steps To Begin Decluttering Your Home Today

There are so many ways that living with less can transform your life by freeing you up from the monotony that comes when you do things you don’t enjoy.

Make time for what matters

Once you’ve begun decluttering and living with less, you’ll find that you have more time. You will have less to maintain, and you won’t feel the pressure go out and buy the latest and greatest. You no longer have to research if something is a great deal just because everyone else has it. If it doesn’t fit with who you are and who you want to become, you can let it go with confidence.

You can now use this time to make time for what matters. Because you will have been forced to confront your ideals of what you should enjoy vs. what you actually enjoy while decluttering, you can now freely explore those areas of your life.

Living with less means you can Slow down and enjoy life

When you have a house full of things, you are stuck maintaining them. I know so many people who have basements full of stuff, and every few years, those basements flood. They experience stress with heavy rain, wondering if their possessions will be ruined. And they experience stressful weeks that follow the water damage, forcing them to sort through pile after pile, only to do it again the next time their basement finds some water.

Because I have chosen to live with less (and currently don’t own a house have a basement that succumbs to the elements), I get to enjoy the rainstorms and appreciate their beauty. My husband and I love sitting and watching storms roll in as we sip on hot coffee. We are able to do it carefree because we don’t have an excess of possessions that we have to store.

Living with less is not just about the physical

It is easy to think that living with less is just about the physical clutter in your home. But there are so many other areas of your life that can be transformed when you decide that less is more.

Living with less in a digital age

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of time you spend on your phone? I did, too. Which is why I decided to transform my life by decluttering my phone. Although I still have my iPhone (I would get lost without the maps), I have deleted every social media off of it. For the last six months, I have not gotten on any social media platform. Not only has this saved me countless hours to pour into thing I enjoy, but it has also helped me to find contentment without comparing my life to others.

I don’t have any games or other “time-wasters” on my phone because I enjoy the challenge of being present in every moment.

Another way I reign in the digital clutter is to unsubscribe from any email chain that isn’t actively benefiting me. I don’t receive updates from clothing stores trying to get me to buy into their sales, and I hardly ever get spam. Instead, I ensure that my inbox is tailored to what I enjoy receiving. I have a few Bible studies and a pregnancy update delivered each week, and that’s about it!

Living with less in your Calendar

Take a good look at your calendar and see if everything on it benefits you and is in line with your life goals. Perhaps it is time to cancel or change some of your appointments or time commitments that you thought were necessary.

Living with less in your finances

Another area that you could live with less is your finances. If you look at your bank statement, you will probably notice some subscriptions or impulse charges that don’t benefit you. Go ahead and cancel whatever you can. Analyze what caused you to make those impulse purchases so that you won’t be tempted next time.

How can your life be transformed by living with less?

Living with less is not about depriving yourself. It’s about liberating your preconceived notions and the need to follow other trends so that you can pursue what truly matters to you.

When you embrace this mindset, you’ll find yourself naturally slowing down, spending less time managing things, and more time doing what matters. Creating memories, pursuing passions, and enjoying the freedom to simply be.

How could your life be transformed by living with less today?

Minimalism for small spaces | Creating a peaceful home

Filed Under: Minimalism // October 22, 2024

This post is all about creating a peaceful home using concepts from minimalism for your small spaces.

Living in a small space can be frustrating as it feels like a constant struggle for control – control over clutter, storage, and the never-ending accumulation of things (especially if you have children). However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Minimalism offers the ability to live in a space you truly love, no matter the size. By prioritizing simplicity and intentionality, minimalism allows you to create a functional and peaceful home that you are always glad to come home to.

minimalism for small spaces — This post show you how to make minimalism work for your small spaces.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

My home is by no means minimalist. But it is tiny(ish). At 750sqft for three people and a puppy, it can get cluttered fast. Not to mention, there is no built-in storage. Below, I share some inspiration that helped make my home feel peaceful and functional, so you can, too. Whether you live in a tight apartment, a tiny house, or a trailer, embracing minimalism through these tips can help you make the most of your space.

Why minimalism works for small spaces

When most people think of minimalism, they picture an empty dining room with only one chair and place setting. Or they see a bedroom with the mattress directly on the floor and a small duvet covering it. Everything is black and white, and let’s face it, boring.

Thankfully, that is not the reality for most people who practice minimalism! Minimalism isn’t about depriving yourself from everything you enjoy and living without modern comforts. Instead, it is about being intentional with choosing what adds value to your life and removing the excess. This frees up the space in your home allowing you more mental clarity and peace of mind, giving you more time and energy to do what you enjoy.

The thing about small spaces is: they require this kind of intentionality. Every square foot matters when you live in a tiny apartment, making the minimalist approach the perfect choice.

Benefits of practicing minimalism for small spaces

Reducing the number of things in your home makes it open and inviting. Instead of being a space you dread returning to, it becomes a welcome environment that provides rest and relaxation. Here are some of the simple benefits of practicing minimalism in small spaces.

Less time spent cleaning | When you eliminate excess clutter in your home, you no longer need to spend time and energy caring for it. Instead of spending all weekend moving your clutter to clean around it, you can have a clean space in less than an hour, giving you time to enjoy your hobbies.
Brings more joy | Minimalism allows you to let go of anything that does not serve a purpose or bring you joy. When you only have things you use and love, you will experience more joy when walking through your home.
Facilitates more community | One of my favorite benefits of having a minimalist(ish) home is the community that comes from opening my house up to guests every week. Because I do not feel like I have to spend all day cleaning, I can focus on building community with family and friends.

What minimalism looks like in small spaces

Small spaces can get cluttered so quickly, which is why minimalism is such a valuable tool. Here is an example of some things you would find (or not find) in a minimalist home.

Clear the Clutter | Minimalist homes are usually clutter-free, with only one or two sentimental pieces on display.
Create storage where you can | Minimalists are great at making spaces out of nothing as part of their efforts to keep their houses open.
Consider less furniture | If you look at a minimalist home, you might notice less furniture. This is because minimalists keep only what they truly need and opt to let go of any furniture they do not use.

How to create your dream minimalist home

Before you can begin your journey towards minimalism, you must start with a mindset shift. Minimalism is not a one-time project but a lifestyle change that encourages using and loving what you have. Ask yourself what you value in life, and make changes so your home reflects that. Keep the things you use regularly, and consider donating whatever you haven’t touched (or thought about) in years.

minimalism tips — Small spaces don’t have to be a bad thing – Use these Minimalism tips to help you achieve your dream home.

Start with one room or category

Decluttering is key to minimalism, but it can feel overwhelming at times. So start with one room or category and work through your house. Don’t worry if there are days that you are feeling extra overwhelmed or you only have 20 minutes to declutter. Choose a small project for those days, such as cleaning out one shelf in your closet or a small section of a room you know you can get done.

One of the best areas to start your minimalism journey is in your closet. Clothes are something that everyone has in excess these days, and because you regularly wear your clothes, you know what you love and what can go.

Keep only the essentials

No matter what space you decide to declutter, you must make some tough choices. Consider following the “keep, discard, donate” method to help you in the process. If you come across something you love or use often, place it in the keep pile. When you find something you don’t love or use, feel free to put it in the donate pile or discard pile, depending on if the item is still good quality. Following this process will help you clear out your home quickly because you can take the discard directly to the trash and the donate can go straight to your local thrift store.

Another useful pile to have is the “time will tell” bin. Grab a large tote or garbage bag, and place anything you are unsure of inside. If, over the next 3-6 months, you decide you need something from that bin, you can easily retrieve it. Otherwise, don’t open it for 3-6 months and then go through it again. Now you should be able to tell if any of those items are worth keeping or if you can donate the box.

Clear the floors

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a minimalist house, one of the first things you will notice is the clear, open floors. This isn’t by accident – anything left on the floor tends to look like clutter, making the room feel smaller than it is. In small spaces, this effect is even more pronounced because there is no room to spare. Make it you goal in every room to only have furniture touching the floors and everything else picked up.
If you need some extra floor storage, consider a large basket for blankets or kids toys. This over-the-door hanging basket would be perfect to add to a closet to keep things out of sight. And a storage bench is the perfect addition to keep shoes concealed in the entryway.

clean off surfaces

Similar to having clear floors, having surfaces clear of clutter will free up brain space and save you from unwanted anxiety. Although those nicknacks were cute when you bought them, they tend to accumulate and overcrowd each other, making it so you don’t enjoy any of them. Kitchen appliances are also famous for stealing the joy out of cooking because you have to work around them. Declutter anything that is on open surfaces and see if you can find a home for anything that remains.

Take minimalism to the extreme in small spaces

Another thing to consider when it comes to decluttering is that we tend to only use 20% of our possessions 80% of the time. This is known as the Pareto Principle and can be helpful when making those tough decisions. If you want to make an extreme declutter, consider setting yourself a goal of getting rid of 80% of your possessions. You may surprise yourself by how much excess you have in your home.

minimalism for beginners — Where will you start minimizing your home?

Minimalism design tips for small spaces

Decluttering is the first step to gaining your minimalist home, but sometimes it isn’t enough to create the cozy space you dream of. A minimalist design promotes a home where you can relax and be comfortable, which is particularly beneficial in small spaces. Consider using some of these tried and true tips to create your dream minimalist space.

Use the same color palette

Typically, minimalists stick to a neutral color palette featuring whites, grays, and earthy tones. Although these colors do promote a calming aesthetic, don’t feel the need to get rid of color completely. Simply stick to one or two colors within your color palette while leaving the rest more neutral and cohesive.

use plain colors or simple patterns

Too many patterns can be overwhelming to the eyes, so try to stick to clean lines for furniture and decor. Although there is nothing wrong with having some pattern in your home, less is more when it comes to a minimalist design.

Use decor sparingly

Instead of displaying an entire row of Target finds on your shelves, consider choosing just a few meaningful pieces that bring you joy when you see them. A minimalist approach to decor allows your home to feel relaxed and uncluttered while emphasizing what is important to you.

Keeping it minimal

It can feel amazing to finally have your house decluttered and set just the way you like it. However, if you aren’t careful, over time things will accumulate back up and crowd your perfect home. In order to stop the chaos from erupting, consider implementing the “one in, one out” rule. This is as simple as it sounds. Anytime you bring something into your home, let it replace something you already own. For example, if you find the perfect cozy sweater, take a look inside your closet and evaluate if you have a sweater you no longer care for.

Another great way to keep your home clutter-free is to keep a donate box in a closet and anytime you come across something you no longer use or love, simply add it to the box. When the box becomes full, take it to your local thrift store with no regrets!

This post gave you tips and tricks on how to practice minimalism to keep your small spaces peaceful and functional.

Feel the calm: beneficial ways to declutter before Christmas

Filed Under: Minimalism // September 17, 2024

This post shares the best list of things to declutter before Christmas to help you have a peaceful, relaxing, slow Holiday.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed in your own house? Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. Instead, you find yourself in a rut, consumed with being unable to find what you want when you want it.

This year, choose to be proactive in making your home a peaceful holiday sanctuary by decluttering extra possessions that leave you feeling burnt out.

Here is a room-by-room list to help you declutter your home before Christmas. Now you can unlock the secret to a more restful season.

declutter before Christmas — Here are my best tips to help you declutter your home before Christmas

Before you begin: taking the stress out of decluttering

I get it, the thought of decluttering your entire home before Christmas sounds impossible. But let me assure you, it isn’t. Once you begin on this journey, you will find yourself moving quicker and quicker through the process as you gain confidence in your new skill.

If this is your first time doing a full home declutter, take a deep breath and enjoy the process. Check in with yourself regularly and reflect on how it feels to let things go. Consider taking before and after pictures to help encourage yourself when you need motivation.

If you have already done a full house declutter and are only looking for a few helpful tips, this may just be the place for you! As a self-proclaimed minimalist for the past five years, I have a lot of insight for keeping your house neat and tidy – even while adding a husband and a toddler!

A note to those who feel overwhelmed and guilty

Decluttering can be an overwhelming process, filled with feelings of shame or guilt. Maybe you look around and feel shame for not keeping your home in tip-top shape. Or maybe you feel guilty for getting rid of things that cost money or were gifts.

It’s okay to feel these feelings. However, please don’t give in to them. Use them to spur you on to greatness. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about making room for peace, joy, and the people you love. Letting go of the unnecessary makes space for moments that truly matter this holiday season.

Decluttering home decor

The first thing you will want to do to declutter before Christmas is to take a look at that pesky home decor. For this section, you will mainly be concerned about your living room and dining room, and maybe a multi-purpose room or home office if you have one. Here, you will focus on getting rid of any unwanted clutter to help your home feel more relaxed and ready for Christmas fun.

Follow this list to get started!

Clear the floors

If you want the quickest way to make your home feel less cluttered, look no further than cleaning those floors. For some reason, it is so easy for everyone in the family to leave things everywhere! Take a few minute to pick everything up off the floors. Make sure you are putting things where they belong; or, better yet, start a donate pile and get ready to let go of some things. Once your floors are cleared, give them a good vacuum or mop.

refresh your home — Give your home a quick refresh by clearing those floors!

Anything on surfaces must go!

You know how fast things can pile up if you have a coffee table, bookshelf, end table, entertainment center, or anything else with a flat surface. Set a timer and ruthlessly go through everything that sits on your surfaces. Chances are, if something is resting on a surface, it doesn’t have a home. Either find a permanent place for your item to belong, or add it to your donate pile.

Extra throw pillows, blankets, and knickknacks

I don’t know of a single Christmas where I haven’t received a blanket or some other form of “cozy” home decor. So, before Christmas even has a chance to roll around, consider a big declutter of any extra blankets, throw pillows, or random knickknacks you may have.

Once you have finished with these three steps, take a deep breath and look around. Is your home feeling more peaceful?

Now let’s continue.

Declutter Old Christmas Decorations before you put them out

Every year, we tend to accumulate new Christmas decor. This is normal as styles change and you find new decorations you love and can’t live without. But instead of keeping everything from the last 20 years, consider going through and donating any decoration you own, but wouldn’t buy today.

Once you have paired down on your decorations, have a blast putting them out! You may notice that your home reflects your style more than in years past because you are only putting up what you truly love.

Declutter the garage and storage areas before Christmas

Now that you have some space cleared from where your Christmas decorations once sat, you may feel motivated to clean out some other storage as well. Consider getting rid of any bikes your family has outgrown, or camping gear from that one trip you took 10 years ago.

full house declutter — You can create a peaceful home by only keeping what you love.

Feel free to be ruthless when it comes to clearing out your storage areas. For most people, things stored are things forgotten. These are things that are likely to never be used again, so you might as well donate them so they can enjoy a new life with someone else.

Declutter the bedrooms before Christmas

Clear the closets

Christmas is the perfect time to clean out your closet because it falls in the middle of a season. Instead of waiting until the season is over to decide whether you wore something, you can clear up some space in your closet by deciding now. Go through all of your “winter” clothes and ask yourself which ones you truly love and would buy again today if you saw them in a store. Go ahead and let everything else go.

Clean out the kids toys

Kids accumulate so many toys so quickly! Before you have an influx of new toys come into your home, go through and get rid of anything your children have outgrown. If there are any broken toys, you can also let those go. And if there are toys you never see your kids play with, you can donate those with confidence.

Declutter the bathrooms before Christmas

Although you may not think you need to declutter your bathroom before Christmas, I’m here to show you why it’s a necessity.

Clutter tends to accumulate so quickly in the bathroom. Anything from skincare to razors to styling tools and so much more are constantly brought in. Take some time to go through each of these following categories and declutter anything that no longer serves you.

Makeup – throw out any expired products and only keep ones you love
Hair care – only keep the items you regularly use
Feminine products – don’t feel compelled to keep products you loved five years ago but no longer use

clean your bathroom — Make you bathroom a sanctuary for getting ready in the morning.

Declutter the Kitchen the week before Christmas

One thing you can count on with Christmas is lots of yummy food in your tummy. Whether you are a baking fanatic or tend to burn everything you touch, chances are, your kitchen requires a good declutter.

Cupboards and drawers

Now is a good time to go through all of your cupboards and drawers and declutter anything that you haven’t used in a while.

Pantry

Before you bring in a bunch of new baking ingredients and savory snacks, consider doing a full pantry declutter. Throw out anything that is past the date. Consider donating non-perishable goods to your local food pantry if you know you won’t use them. Finally, get rid of any ingredients that were a one-off purchase that you don’t know how to use.

Once you’ve cleared everything out, take some time to organize it when putting it back. Make a note of what ingredients you have and what you still need before doing any more Christmas shopping.

Fridge

Right before Christmas, you’ll want to declutter and clean out your fridge so that you’ll have room for all those tasty leftovers. Look through everything and throw out anything that is expired. I’m always surprised by my condiments’ short expiration dates. Make a plan to eat up anything perishable before Christmas so that you have maximum storage for pre-Christmas ingredients and after-Christmas delights.

Well, there you have it: a complete guide to help you declutter your house before Christmas! Comment below on where you plan to start!

Christian Minimalism: How a popular concept points to God

Filed Under: Minimalism // August 6, 2024

This post is all about how the concept of minimalism uses Christian values.

Minimalism has been a hot topic for years now. But did you know that the ideas of minimalism are inherently Christian? While minimalism might give an incomplete picture of why possessions matter, it serves as a stepping stone in your quest to live wholeheartedly for God.

Minimalism vs Christian Minimalism

If you’ve been on the internet at all in the last five years, you’ve probably heard the term minimalism. But did you know that minimalism does not exclude Christians? In fact, many of the minimalist principles are actually Christian values.

What is minimalism?

Minimalism is a lifestyle that promotes owning less so that you have more time for the things that matter to you. It is about being intentional with the things you value and removing anything that detracts from them. Minimalism is keeping the things that “spark joy” for you while letting go of the rest with gratitude.

What is Christian minimalism?

Living a Christian life is all about following Jesus. It is about recognizing the good news of why He came and finding joy because of the cross.

Christian minimalism is taking inventory of your life and rejecting anything that doesn’t align with God or bring you closer to Him. It is asking yourself “What do I value?” and realizing that value only comes from God.

Christian Minimalism asks, “Does this glorify God?” instead of “Does this spark joy?”

It helps answer the questions “Why do you believe you are here, and what do you believe you are here to do?”.

Practical application of Christian Minimalism

For many people, the clutter in their life is overwhelming. They begin to lose sight of what matters to them because all they can see is the walls of stuff they have built.

The idea of minimalism is intriguing because it enables them to live the life they want. Whether it be more time for hobbies, space for friends, or money for vacations, minimalism sounds like the key to happiness.

Christian minimalism takes this further by aiming to draw you closer to God through decluttering.

Christian minimalism is the tool to help you grow in your relationship with Christ by helping you focus on Him, teaching you to be a good steward of what He has entrusted you, and enabling you to live a life of service.

What Christian Minimalism is not

Christian minimalism is not a decluttering method that replaces your need for Christ. It is not a check on your list to holiness. And it is not a factor in your salvation.

Christian minimalism is an incomplete solution to the problem of clutter and overwhelm that you may feel.

It will never be enough to give you the peace you desire. In your search for something meaningful, you can completely empty your life from everything, but if you never fill your life with God, you will continue to wander endlessly.

What Christians Minimalism is:

If minimalism does not bring you closer to God, then minimalism does not do anything for you. If God is not who you most value, then minimalism has failed. But if God is what you most value, then minimalism can be a tool to declutter everything that gets in the way and takes time away from God.

Focusing on God

In an attempt to free you from a focus on material possessions, minimalism inadvertently makes those possessions the focus of your life. Although it claims to set you free by no longer having to think about what you own, you become engrossed in the thoughts of owning too much and needing to downsize more.

If you do not start your minimalism journey with a clear, Biblical outlook, your attempt will be in vain. Yes, you may succeed in downsizing your home, freeing time from cleaning, and being able to put your groceries on the kitchen table when you arrive home from the store. But you will not succeed in what truly matters.

We can only find true contentment and joy in the simple things in this life when we are first focused on God.

Minimalism is all about simplifying your life and possessions so that they no longer own you. Christianity is all about knowing that our life is not our own because it has already been bought with a price. If you are so focused on your things, that you can’t see God, then that is a problem. It is a problem if you have too much clutter, but it is also a problem when your focus becomes downsizing the clutter.

Biblical minimalist — Where is your focus?

The Parable of the rich fool

In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus tells the story of the rich fool. A man comes to Jesus, wanting Him to command his brother to split the inheritance evenly. In response, Jesus tells the man to be on his guard against greed. For “life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

It does not matter how much you store up for yourself on this earth. The only thing that matters is your relationship with God. Is your focus on God throughout the day, or are you overwhelmed by your abundance of possessions?

Choosing what matters

What matters most to you? Who do you live for? What brings you joy throughout the day? What kind of life do do want to live? And what kind of person do you want to be?

These are all questions that you must ask yourself before you start the process of minimizing your life. Otherwise, you will be without direction. Your hard work will be without any lasting value because your daily habits will not change.

If Minimalism is simplifying your life so that you have time for what matters, Christian minimalism is choosing to live with less because you are seeking Jesus first.

What matters to you?

Reflecting what we value

Whether you realize it, your life is a reflection of what you value. When people see your actions, they see how you love (or don’t). And when they see your home, they see the things you value.

As Christians, everything we are and everything we have should be a reflection of God. Everything we do should be with a kingdom focus.

Our purpose is to honor God and serve Him, bringing glory to Him in everything.

Christian Minimalism is the “How”

Colossians 3:1-2 tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. This can be a difficult practice when you are surrounded and overwhelmed by your possessions.

Minimalism does a great job of giving you tools to overcome the overwhelm. It equips you with tools to be content with today. But only as long as you don’t forget the eternal focus of why you are practicing minimalism.

Minimalism is choosing what to place your focus on. Christian living is choosing to place your focus on God. If Christianity is the “why,” minimalism is the “how”.

Being good Stewards

One of the benefits of minimalism is that having less means wasting less. And wasting less falls in line with being a good steward.

The Parable of the bags of gold

The first way to be a good steward is to take care of what we already own. In the Parable of the Bags of Gold, a man going on a journey entrusted his wealth to his three servants. To one servant he gave five bags, one he gave two, and the last received only one. When he returned from his journey, he wanted to know how his servants stewarded his money.

The first and second servants put the money to work and gained double, while the third servant buried his in a hole.

The first two servants were faithful. They worked hard with what they were given, resulting in an increase in wealth and responsibility. But the third servant was lazy. Instead of doing the bare minimum with what he was given, he let it sit, untouched and forgotten.

Christian simplicity — How can you grow closer to God through downsizing?

Caring for what we already have

Are you like the first two servants, who put what they have been entrusted with to work? Or are you like the last servant, who hoards and buries, making what you have been entrusted with useless?

Do you own just what you need, faithfully using what you have and not endlessly wasting resources? Or do you have an abundance of possessions that get buried under each other, making themselves useless because you can never find what you need when you need it?

Not acquiring more than we need

Christian minimalism isn’t just thanking items for their service to us, but learning to stop and pray before we purchase items. It is about being a conscious consumer so that we don’t waste time and finances on things we don’t need.

The art of simplifying your home isn’t just so that you can bring in more possessions and throw out the old. Instead of continuously needing the next best thing, learn to be content with what you already have.

Contentment

One of the greatest aspects of Christianity and minimalism is learning to be content with what you have. 1 Timothy 6:7-8 tells us that “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Are you content with what you have? or are you always searching for the next best deal or newest gadget?

Hebrews 13:5 tells us why we can be content, even with few worldly possessions: “For God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” In fact, there are so many wonderful verses that point to us being content and resting secure in God’s faithfulness instead of own own merit or worth. And that is the secret to Christian minimalism: you don’t need to be drowning is stuff when you are content with what you already have.

Storing up treasure

One of the biggest reasons that your house is so cluttered is the “just in case” rule. You keep things “just in case” you need then someday. Or “just in case” it might miraculously become valuable. You hold on to something “just in case” it may bring you joy someday instead of living a life of joy today.

Matthew 6:19-21 instructs us to not “store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy, but to store up treasures in heaven” How much time do you spend cleaning and looking after material possessions to make sure they don’t get ruined? Instead, you could use that time to build relationships with God and other people.

Service

There’s no way around it: owning possessions requires time for upkeep. One of the biggest benefits of Christian minimalism is simplifying your life so you have more time to serve others.

Sending out the twelve

In Matthew 10, Jesus is giving instructions to His disciples to send them out to teach the good news to others. One thing He says is to take no gold or silver, “and no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff.”

Jesus did not want His disciples to be consumed with material things. If you are waiting to have just the right pair of shoes, the perfect Bible, or take the best ministering class, you will always find another excuse to not share the gospel.

Instead, be less concerned about the supplies for the journey, and more concerned with the people you’ll take with you.

Biblical minimalism — What has more value: people or possessions?

Sharing with others

Christian minimalism allows you to be more generous with others. By freeing you of the need to buy the next new thing, you will have more room in your budget to meet the needs of others.

Romans 12:13 says “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” There are two commands in this verse.

The first is to share with those in need. John the Baptist talks about how you can practically share with others. “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11). As you practice only owning what you truly need, you will begin to see a lot of practical opportunities to share with others.

The second command is to practice hospitality. Isaiah 58:7 shows the kind of hospitality that God desires for us to have. To “share food with the hungry, shelter for the wanderer, clothe the naked, and not turn away your own flesh and blood.”

How often have you failed to open up your home in hospitality because you were too afraid to have others see the mess it was in?

How can you practice Christian Minimalism today?

When a rich man approached Jesus asking what he must do to enter heaven, Jesus replied “Sell everything you have and give to the poor” (Mark 10:21). Although this is not a command to all people, Jesus told the man this because He knew that worldly possessions were the most important thing in this man’s life. They were his idol.

Jesus could never have his heart because he had already given it to his possessions.

God isn’t as concerned with what you own, but what owns you.

How can you practice Christian minimalism today, focusing on God instead of your possessions?