▲Go through a drawer or a box. Start small and take it from there.

▲If you have things that have been laying around for months with the intention of finding a space to store them, don't! Just put them in the garbage can or donate them.

▲We all have these laying around: paper clips, assorted buttons, etc. If you don’t need an item and can easily source it for a reasonable price when you are in need, just chuck it.

▲Do you really need five sets of bed sheets? Be realistic about the needs of your household and get rid of any extras.

▲Go through all your clothes. If you haven’t used an item within the last six months, donate it. You’ll save space and it will be easier for you to pick out what to wear every morning!

▲How often do you use that juicer? Exactly. Donate it or store it (if you actually use it). Keep the counter area clear and clean.

▲Just because an item is on sale, it still doesn’t mean you need it.

▲If you buy a new item for your home, make sure you get rid of an old one. The trick is to replace instead of adding more stuff.

▲Get rid of loyalty cards, receipts, and other things that you don’t use daily.

▲Digitize all important paperwork. It’s better to store them in the cloud than in your drawer.

▲Shred paper you don’t need. You will find that you keep most of it "just in case." Plus, you should have already digitized the important stuff, right?

▲Consider selling or donating your books and buying an e-reader. It might not have the same feel, but you’ll have access to numerous books, and no physical space is taken up.

▲That DVD you watched once, the CD you no longer listen to, and every other item which you've most likely only used a couple of times, it is time to get rid of them.

▲This one takes some courage, but have you ever considered how much time you spend looking at your phone? Consider deleting all social media apps from it.

▲The same goes for e-mails. How many important e-mails do you actually receive? Unsubscribe from all marketing e-mails.

▲If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. If you do purchase with your credit card, make sure to pay it off monthly. If you really want to take things to the next level, consider getting rid of all your credit cards completely.

▲Get rid of birthday cards and letters. These items may seem valuable to you, but when was the last time you actually looked at them?

▲Garages are a hoarder's dream. If you really take the time to go through it, you'll probably realize you don't need most of the stuff you're keeping in there.

▲The same applies for decor. You can have a tastefully-decorated home, without filling it with clutter.

▲You can also apply minimalist principles to your diet. Opt for fresh, unprocessed foods. They’re good for you and you’ll save space in the freezer and cupboards too!

▲Instead of cooking every day, save time and prepare meals in advance.

▲Clear out your car and take away anything that doesn’t belong in there. A pack of tissues is fine. An empty cup of coffee is not.

▲Pack light and become a minimalist traveler.

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Mow the lawn, trim overgrown shrubs, and tidy things up. You’ll feel much better with a nice, clean garden to enjoy.

▲If you need an item for a one-off job, why not borrow it from your friends or family instead of buying it?

▲Keep up with your new minimalist lifestyle by going through the previous steps at least once every few months.

▲You may attach some emotional value to items and be reluctant to chuck them, but in the end you likely won't miss them.

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A minimalist lifestyle is an ongoing process. Clutter will always find its way back into your life, but it’s your job to tackle and get rid of it.

But clutter isn't the only habit you can get rid of to be happier!

▲Less is more, so a good quality item will always be better than five mediocre ones.

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There's a reason that changing seasons always seem to be accompanied by donation bags—we have too much stuff! Shows like 'Tidying Up with Marie Kondo' gained attention worldwide because this is a common problem that both unites and buries us. Whether it's one too many stops for retail therapy, the inability to give anything up due to sentimentality, or simply not enough time to go through it all, many of us struggle with household clutter in our day-to-day lives. However, did you know that owning less can actually improve your quality of life?

In 1978, researcher Phillip Brickman from Northwestern University conducted a study to see if wealth truly brought happiness. He found that the happiness of those who had won the lottery was no higher than the control group who only met their basic physical needs.

Yet another psychological study was done by LN Chaplin and DR John, which found a strong link between materialism and low self-esteem among young people.

Not only has it been shown that clutter detracts from our mental health, it's also been suggested that our mental well-being actually benefits when our houses aren't cluttered with things. According to Psychology Today, clearing our closets of possessions that we don't absolutely love can reduce stress and foster peace of mind.

In an added benefit, spending less on material things also cuts back on financial stress, as well as taking away the pressure of always having to earn and buy more. While buying your favorite pair of pants in three colors may feel right in the moment, this doesn't ultimately lead to long-term happiness.

By embracing a minimalist lifestyle, you can make your life less complicated and stressful—all while saving money. Perhaps less really is more!

While this is all great to talk about, it's another thing entirely to actually get down to business and clear the clutter to make way for minimalism. But never fear! These minimalist hacks will make your life a whole lot easier.

Click through this gallery and start maximizing your life today!