Eliza Hartley
Life can feel overwhelming when there’s too much clutter—both physically and mentally.
The more we try to juggle, the more stress we invite into our day.
But what if less really is more?
Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer things; it’s about simplifying life in a way that creates space for calm and clarity.
By making small shifts in our daily habits, we can let go of unnecessary stress and focus on what truly matters. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here are eight minimalist habits that can help you create more calm and less stress in your day.
1) Start your day with intention
How you begin your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day.
If you wake up and immediately dive into emails, social media, or a long to-do list, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before the day has even started.
Instead, take a few moments to be intentional. This could mean practicing a short meditation, setting a single focus for the day, or simply enjoying your coffee without distractions.
By creating space for calm in the morning, you give yourself a solid foundation to handle whatever comes next—without unnecessary stress.
2) Declutter your physical space
I used to keep everything—old receipts, clothes I never wore, random gadgets I thought I might need “someday.”
But all that clutter wasn’t just taking up space in my home; it was taking up space in my mind.
One day, I decided to get rid of anything that didn’t serve a real purpose or bring me joy. I cleared out my closet, simplified my workspace, and let go of things I had been holding onto for no real reason.
The result? I felt lighter. My home felt calmer. And surprisingly, my stress levels dropped.
A cluttered space can create a cluttered mind. By simplifying your environment, you create more room to breathe—both physically and mentally.
3) Say no more often
For a long time, I felt guilty turning people down. Whether it was an extra work project, a social event, or a small favor, I’d say yes—even when I didn’t have the time or energy.
But every unnecessary yes added more stress to my life. I was stretching myself too thin, and it was exhausting.
Learning to say no (without over-explaining or feeling bad about it) was a game changer. It gave me back control over my time and allowed me to focus on what truly mattered.
Minimalism isn’t just about decluttering physical things—it’s also about simplifying your commitments.
When you stop saying yes to everything, you create more space for what actually brings you peace.
4) Focus on one thing at a time
We live in a world that glorifies multitasking.
But trying to do too many things at once doesn’t make us more productive—it just makes us more distracted and stressed.
I used to think juggling multiple tasks was the only way to get everything done. But instead of feeling accomplished, I felt scattered and overwhelmed. That’s when I turned to mindfulness.
In my book, The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment, I talk about the power of single-tasking—fully focusing on one thing at a time. Whether it’s eating a meal, having a conversation, or working on a project, being present makes everything feel more manageable and peaceful.
When you slow down and give your full attention to the task at hand, you’re not just getting things done—you’re creating a sense of calm in your day.
5) Let go of what you can’t control
I used to spend so much energy worrying about things beyond my control—what other people thought of me, unexpected changes, outcomes that hadn’t even happened yet.
I thought if I just worried enough, I could somehow prevent bad things from happening.
But all that overthinking only created stress. It didn’t change the situation; it just made me feel stuck.
The truth is, life is unpredictable. No amount of planning or worrying will give us complete control.
But what we can control is how we respond. Learning to accept uncertainty and focus on what’s within our power brings a lot more peace than trying to force things to go our way.
Sometimes, the most freeing thing you can do is simply let go.
6) Do less, but do it better
It’s easy to believe that getting more done is the key to a productive and successful life.
But constantly trying to check off as many tasks as possible often leads to burnout, not progress.
What if the answer isn’t doing more, but actually doing less?
I started questioning whether every task on my list was truly necessary.
Could I eliminate it? Delegate it? Simplify it? Instead of rushing through everything, I focused on doing fewer things—but with more attention and care.
The result? Less stress, higher quality work, and a greater sense of fulfillment.
Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer things; it’s about being intentional with your time and energy. When you stop trying to do it all, you free yourself to do what actually matters—better.
7) Create white space in your schedule
For the longest time, I packed my schedule to the brim.
If I had a free hour, I felt like I had to fill it—whether with work, social plans, or something “productive.” But instead of feeling accomplished, I just felt drained.
Then I started doing something different: I began intentionally leaving empty space in my day. Time with no plans, no obligations—just room to breathe.
At first, it felt strange. But soon, I realized how powerful it was. Those moments of white space became time to reset, reflect, or simply do nothing without guilt.
Not every moment needs to be scheduled. A little emptiness in your day can bring a lot more calm to your life.
8) Stop chasing happiness
For years, I thought if I could just achieve the next goal, buy the right things, or fix every flaw in my life, I’d finally feel at peace.
But no matter what I accomplished or acquired, there was always something else to chase.
Then I realized: happiness isn’t something to find—it’s something to create in the present moment.
Peace comes from appreciating what you already have, not constantly striving for more. The less you seek fulfillment in external things, the more you realize it was within you all along.
Bottom line: less can be more
We often think that peace comes from adding things—more success, more productivity, more control over life. But in reality, it’s often the opposite. The more we let go, the lighter we feel.
Minimalism isn’t just about clearing out physical clutter; it’s about creating space in every part of life—space to breathe, to think, to simply be. And that kind of space can be transformative.
In my book, The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment, I explore how slowing down and being present can shift the way we experience life. Because true calm doesn’t come from controlling everything—it comes from learning to be at peace with whatever is.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself isn’t adding more. It’s taking a step back, simplifying what you can, and allowing life to flow a little more freely.
