Over the past decade, the minimalist lifestyle has become more and more appealing. Our lives are filled with so much clutter that a simpler approach, with far fewer possessions, can serve as the kickstart you need for a healthier, more well-balanced existence. To borrow from everyone’s favorite minimalist guru Marie Kondo, if it doesn’t spark joy, get rid of it. In an effort to declutter (both mentally and physically), TURNER's Kate Davis has started leaning into minimalism this year. Here are a few of her helpful tips, ideas and resources.
Getting going on your minimalist mission can be tricky, however. Where to begin? Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, hosts of the The Minimalists podcast, are here to help. The pair devised “The 30-Day Minimalist Game” to test the waters.
It’s fairly straightforward. On day one, you get rid of one item. On day two, you get rid of two items. Your minimalist month continues on in this way until day 30, when (you guessed it) you get rid of a whopping 30 items. “At first, it’s an easy game,” Nicodemus told Vogue. “Anyone can eliminate a few items, but it gets considerably more challenging in the second week, when you’re forced to get rid of more than a dozen items per day. As the month progresses, it becomes more difficult.”
Difficult, definitely — but I’m going to try it when fall- and spring-cleaning rolls around.
Of course, that’s all easier said than done when it comes to travel — but it can be done! It’s not just about what you’re bringing with you on a trip, it’s more of a mindset. “[W]hat does a minimalist traveler look like?” wrote Ramsey Qubein in a recent Forbes feature. “Probably like your every-day traveler, but perhaps with less luggage and a more positive outlook on situations, even when things do not go as planned. Apple Air Tags aside, lost luggage can throw travel plans awry, especially when a trip involves visiting multiple places in a short time span.”
Especially if you recently became a mother. A baby comes with so much baggage (literally and metaphorically) that the minimalist approach becomes much more of a challenge when you’re on the road. But it can be done!
As a mother, I’ve become a minimalist when it comes to travel. On recent trips, I’ve committed to packing just the essentials. Preferably, I’m only bringing a carry-on and a backpack (though this is a not always a possibility, of course!). One big way I do this is by packing several articles of clothing that can be worn multiple ways or on multiple days. I love the freedom of being able to explore (and ideally walk) anywhere on a whim, without worrying about lugging a bunch of suitcases with me.
Minimalism, whether at home or on the road, isn’t about depriving yourself of comfort. It’s about intention. It’s about creating space in your life for what truly matters and letting go of what doesn’t. Whether you’re playing the 30-Day Minimalist Game or simply packing lighter for your next trip, embracing this mindset can bring surprising clarity and peace. For me, it’s been a journey of learning to carry less and live more, one small decision at a time.