5 Minimalist Ways to Make Your Home Happier

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Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student getting back into a routine after summer can be stressful. One way to combat this stress is to create spaces in your home that are calming. This is honestly easier than you think and many ways are absolutely free, or may even make you money (Hint: decluttering and selling stuff!).

Referencing The Blue Zones of Happiness author Dan Buettner writes about the happiest people in the world and tendencies they all share. These suggestions don’t require more space, nicer home decor, or even that much extra time, just a little bit of ingenuity and your home will be welcoming and happier. Check out this post to see the entire list of ways to make your home happier outlined in the book by Buettner.

Declutter

Picture this scenario: You walk into your kitchen after a long day of work and the counters are clear. You put your keys in the exact spot you designated them for, hang up your coat in the closet, and begin preparing a healthy meal for your family as your kids run in behind you eager to play with their toys collected in a single bin. Setting up routines to declutter effectively daily will help you reach this calm and clear space in your home.

We “Americans spend 1.2 trillion a year on nonessential stuff” (192). Furthermore, “a house full of clutter has a negative effect on your mood” (195). You’ll never care about clutter, until you realize how much it affects your focus. It’s therapeutic to clear a space and thus have a clear mind as well.

How to Reduce Clutter

Another way you can combat clutter is to stop buying excess stuff you don’t need. You’ll save yourself time and money in the process, plus make your home happier. An easy trick to follow is to keep a list of items you need or want. Have one list for items that can be bought at the grocery store, and another list for miscellaneous products that you want. Avoid buying the things you want until you’ve waited a few weeks. Sometimes the want to buy leaves, as it was an impulse purchase. Sometimes it remains.

When you still want the product, make sure to buy the highest quality that you can afford. This just saves you time. Usually better made products last longer, are a more efficient use of your time, and you don’t have to search again for a replacement. If it’s clothing, try to find it from a consignment shop. This is often higher quality than what you would have been able to afford at the department store, and it’s more sustainable. If you’re interested in simplifying your wardrobe, why you should consider second hand clothing, or curious about what types of clothes I no longer buy to combat clutter, check out the posts linked.

Need another reason to declutter? It’s also absolutely free, and you might even make money from it. A book that completely changed the way I viewed clutter was The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It promotes simple routines to clear the clutter daily, as well as a focus to identify true clutter.  In summary, decide if the object you have cluttering your space is truly bringing you joy. If not, get rid of it!

Prioritize Sleep

A good night’s sleep sets you up for a much calmer morning where you are fully rested and ready to take on your top priorities. Prioritizing sleep for yourself and your family is easier than you think, and it’s proven to positively affect your own happiness. You can easily organize your bedroom to promote sleep, instead of distraction.

Here are a few tips that will help you fall asleep faster. You might also like this post on natural ways to fall asleep.

• Avoid interacting on electronics 30 minutes before going to sleep
• Leave electronics out of your bedroom. If you have a T.V. in your bedroom, consider removing it.
• Avoid drinking alcohol right before going to sleep. Alcohol actually interrupts your sleep throughout the night, even though it might relax you initially.
• Place books in your night stand to help you relax and fall asleep.
• Keep a notepad by your bed to write down any tasks that are important to complete tomorrow. This will help calm your mind before sleep.

Cut Screen Time

Did you know that cutting screen time affects your happiness? It shouldn’t come as any surprise. We already know that social media actually can make people lonelier. What we all need is social connection, and social media or the T.V. never provides this.

Cutting screen time also allows you to do more of what you love. Instead of turning on the T.V. for your family after dinner, make space and time for activities everyone can enjoy. Try to make your family’s screen time intentional like a family movie night, instead of having the T.V. on in the background distracting everyone.  More interactions will be had by everyone and you’ll build and grow your relationships.

Other family activities you can do instead of watching T.V.

• Get outside
• Walk to the park
• Make dinner together
• Quiet time 😊
• Read to your children
• Board games
• Turn the music up and dance! (Bonus: Music in the home also supports your own happiness)
• Watch the sunset
• Plan lunches for tomorrow
• Create a new family tradition

Create a Room for “Flow”

Instead of turning on the T.V., create a space for “flow” activities. These activities, as Dr. Csikszentmihalyi outlines in his book Flow, are any activities where you get lost in the moment. Flow activities could be reading, puzzles, board games, writing, building, or even just good conversation.

Usually a room dedicated to “Flow” activities would be the family or living room. Create enough space to be messy, build, create, read, dance, or write.

An easy way to create a space for “flow” would be to first clear the clutter, provide a table or some type of work space, and let the creative energy flow! When being creative don’t worry about clutter, but a clear space initially allows the mind to wander, which can begin the creative process.

Play in Your Front Yard

The happiest “Americans interact socially 6 hours every day” (198). Being in your front yard allows you the ability to interact with your neighbors, and build community. Here are other ways to interact with your neighbors:

• Host a neighborhood happy hour on Fridays
• Invite people over for dinner
• Swap or share childcare with surrounding families
•  Chat and wave when you walk to get the mail
• Set up playdates with other parents
• Move your BBQ to your front yard instead of the back yard
• Throw a football
• Ride bikes
• Watch a sunset
• Go for a walk

Interacting with your neighbors also creates a safety net in a time of emergency. When emergency help cannot get to you at the time of a major disaster, your neighbors are going to be your first responders. It’s nice knowing you’ve built a relationship.  You might also find this post helpful on how to create a happier community

Final Words

It’s easier than you think to create a relaxing and happier home environment for your family, and it doesn’t require any additional money. If practicing minimalism, you’ll start to cut out the extraneous activities, and focus in on activities that you truly enjoy, make you healthier, and happier. Try these easy and frugal routines to make your home happier today. You might also enjoy the full list of ideas to make your home happier found here.

Join the Discussion

Which way will you make your home happier this week?

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Author

-Maria Halcumb
B.A. in Secondary Education, English, and Physical Education
M.A. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction and Reading Specialist

Source

Buettner, Dan. BLUE ZONES OF HAPPINESS: Lessons from the Worlds Happiest People.National Geographic Soc, 2019.