The 7 Stages of Minimalism: Where Are You on Your Journey?

On this site we speak of minimalism as being a journey – a personal odyssey towards a life with less stuff and more meaning. What is meaningful differs significantly for each of us and is incredibly personal.  That said, there are some broad transition phases for the journey to minimalism. So, where exactly are you on your decluttering adventure?  We’ve broken down the 7 stages of minimalism to help you chart your course.

Stage 1: Curiosity – Dipping Your Toes into Minimalism

You’re here because something sparked your interest. Maybe it was Marie Kondo’s Netflix show, a YouTube vide Ronald L. Banks or perhaps you’re just tired of tripping over your stuff. Welcome to the Curiosity stage!

Characteristics:

• You’re intrigued by minimalism but are not quite ready to commit
• You find yourself browsing minimalist blogs, Instagram or YouTube accounts
• The idea of owning less sounds appealing, but also a bit scary. How could you possibly find the time to tackle all this stuff?

Tips for this stage:

1. Read books or watch documentaries about minimalism
2. Start following minimalist social media accounts for inspiration. You could start by following our Pinterest or Instagram accounts.
3. Try a small decluttering project, like organising your desk drawer

At stage 1, it’s okay to just observe at this point. You’re planting the seeds for what might become big changes ahead!

Stage 2: Realisation – Acknowledging the Need for Change

This is the aha or lightbulb moment. You’ve realised that your current lifestyle isn’t sustainable, and that something’s gotta give.

Signs you’re in the realisation stage:

• You feel overwhelmed by your possessions
• You’re spending too much time organising and managing your stuff
• You’re craving more freedom and less stress

It’s perfectly normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety at this stage. Embrace these emotions – they are the catalysts for change!

Moving forward:

1. Write down why you want to embrace minimalism
2. Identify areas of your life where you feel most cluttered
3. Share your intentions with a supportive friend or family member. 

Stage 3: Preparation – Planning Your Minimalist Approach

Now that you’ve decided to make a change, it’s time to strategise. The Preparation stage is all about setting yourself up for success.

What this stage looks like:

• You’re researching different minimalist methods and philosophies
• You’re setting specific goals for your minimalist journey
• You’re mentally preparing yourself for the challenges ahead

Preparation strategies:

1. Create a decluttering schedule or timeline. Some approach decluttering in a big bang approach but for many of us it works better to commit to making this change over time.
2. Set up a system for sorting items – think KDST or the keep, donate, sell, and trash system
3. Visualise your ideal minimalist lifestyle and living space. Some find it useful to create Pinterest boards for inspiration at this stage.

This stage is crucial for building a strong foundation. Why not take your time here and be patient – good preparation can make the decluttering process so much smoother!

Stage 4: Decluttering – Taking Action and Letting Go

At this stage, it’s time to roll up those sleeves and get physical! The decluttering stage is really where the rubber meets the metaphorical road. 

What to expect:

• You’ll likely experience a range of emotions as you sort through your belongings. Be prepared for that and embrace what can be a cathartic experience!
• You might feel overwhelmed at times – that’s totally normal! A decluttering schedule to break this down into blocks of activity will help you manage this – it provides the map for how you’re going to get free of the clutter.
• As you progress through this stage, you’ll start to experience the benefits of having less stuff

Decluttering strategies:

We have other articles on decluttering that take into account some of the most common methods. Some good strategies can be the following

1. A common way to approach this is room by room or space by space. This allows you to shut the door on the activity as you progress.
2. You might like to try the KonMari method – tackle categories, not rooms
3. You may find playing the Minimalism Game helpful: remove one item on day one, two on day two, and so on. See this build your decluttering muscle and your confidence in your own decisions too!
4. Use the “one in, one out” rule for new purchases. This can be a good way to stem the flow of clutter early on in your journey and and excellent tool to maintain later.

Keep in mind that decluttering is as much an emotional process as it is a physical one. Be patient with yourself! This is likely to be a lengthy stage of your physical minimalist journey.  

Stage 5: Adaptation – Adjusting to a Minimalist Lifestyle

Well congratulations to you! If you’ve made it to this stage, you’ll have cleared the clutter, but the journey isn’t over. Now it’s time to adapt to your new minimalist lifestyle.

What this stage looks like:

• You’re developing new habits and routines
• You’re more mindful about what you bring into your life
• You will likely face temptations to fall back into old patterns

Strategies for success:

1. Create systems to maintain your clutter-free spaces
2. Practice mindful consumption before making new purchases
3. Regularly reassess your belongings to prevent clutter creep

This stage is all about cementing your new habits. Stay alert and keep intentional about your practice. It can be very hard to resist the eternal pull of consumerism that has been baked into each of us via a lifetime of advertising and comparison to our peers. Stay strong – you can do it!

Stage 6: Expansion – Applying Minimalism Beyond Possessions

As you become more comfortable with physical minimalism, you’ll start to see opportunities to simplify other areas of your life. Welcome to stage 6, which we call the Expansion stage!

Characteristics of this stage:

• You’re applying minimalist principles to your schedule and commitments
• You’re simplifying your digital life (emails, social media, apps)
• You’re reevaluating relationships and letting go of those that no longer serve you

Expansion strategies:

1. Conduct a time audit and eliminate non-essential activities
2. Declutter your digital spaces (unsubscribe, delete unused apps)
3. Practice saying “no” to commitments that don’t align with your values. You’ll be surprised that others will find someone else to do that task and the world will keep turning if you don’t attend that event.

This benefit of this stage is that you’ll be creating space in all aspects of your life, not just your physical environment.

Stage 7: Mindful Living – Embracing Minimalism as a Way of Life

If you are at this stage, then all credit to you – It’s time to enjoy the zen zone!  Minimalism isn’t just something you do – it’s who you are.

Characteristics of mindful living:

• You naturally gravitate towards quality over quantity
• Your decisions align with your values, not societal expectations
• You find joy in experiences and relationships, not things

The beauty of this stage:

1. You have more time and energy for what truly matters
2. Your space feels calm and intentional
3. You’re more adaptable to life’s changes

We refer to minimalism and living intentionally as ongoing and perhaps lifelong practices. In that respect, the job is never done! Minimalism will mean different things to you as you age and move through life’s phases and cycles. Don’t get stuck in a rut and be prepared to keep to refining and adjusting as your life evolves. 

Identifying Your Current Stage

So, where are you in your minimalist journey? Ask yourself:

• How do I feel about my current possessions?
• Am I actively decluttering or maintaining a minimalist space?
• How often do I think about minimalism in my daily life?

Be honest with yourself, and remember – there’s no “right” stage to be in. The key is to complete this transition mindfully, knowing your why and avoiding the urge to rush to achieve someone else’s standard of minimalism. Everyone’s minimalism journey is unique, and you’ll want to avoid the pangs of regret that can arise from an over exuberant rush to declutter everything!

Progressing Through the Stages

Ok, so are you ready to level up your minimalism game? Here are some tips:

1. Set small, achievable goals for each stage
2. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small
3. Connect with like-minded people for support and inspiration
4. Be patient with yourself – this is a lifelong journey, not a race

Remember, it’s okay to move back and forth between stages. Life happens, and minimalism is all about adapting to your current needs.

Conclusion: Your Minimalist Journey Awaits!

So, there you have it – our 7 stages of minimalism laid bare. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a zen minimalist master, remember that each stage has its own lessons and joys.

Take a moment to appreciate where you are in your journey. Then, challenge yourself to take one small step towards the next stage. Maybe it’s decluttering your junk drawer, or perhaps it’s reevaluating your relationship with shopping.

Minimalism isn’t about perfection – it’s about intention! So, what’s your next intentional step on this fabulous, less-is-more adventure?

Here’s to less stuff and more life this year.

Before you go!

If you found this article useful, please check out our other articles on minimalism, decluttering, earthing, intentional living, mindfulness and healthy living. Follow us on Pinterest or Instagram to stay updated on our latest posts.