Reasons to Embrace Minimalism
Clutter can take on a life of its own. If you have drawers full of mysterious, expired sauce packets, a table whose surface might be blue but you can’t remember, piles of unfiled paperwork, or a closet that’s practically a hazard to open, it might be time to try a new lifestyle.
There are so many reasons to embrace minimalism that go beyond just having a clean house. If you’re ready to say goodbye to junk, take a look at the list below.
First, What Is Minimalism?
Minimalism is the opposite of consumerism. It’s the philosophy that you shouldn’t buy more items than you need to be happy since the things that matter most are experiences, connections to loved ones, and fulfilling hobbies.
When people hear the word “minimalism,” they think of a blank, white living room with strange modern art on the walls and perhaps a single potted plant in the corner. But minimalism isn’t all about your decorating style. You can live a minimalist lifestyle while still having plenty of colors and a relaxing, cozy vibe in your home. It’s all about keeping the things that are most meaningful to you while letting go of excess.
Why Practice Minimalism?
Think of it as an antidote to the hectic pace of modern life. The odds are good you’re constantly bombarded with sensory input in the form of ads, social media, traffic, or work assignments. Minimalism lets you step back and breathe. Here are eight reasons to embrace minimalism:
- You’ll Save Time
Picture this: You won’t have to spend ten minutes looking for the perfect pair of shoes to go with your dress. That’s because you’ll only have three pairs, and they’ll be in a clear space uncluttered by extra clothes.
- Your House Will Be Cleaner
Without hundreds of knick knacks to accumulate dust and pet hair, your house will automatically stay cleaner. The dishes won’t pile up in the sink because you won’t have a pile of them, to begin with. What little you do have to clean can be tidied up in an afternoon. Having a clean, visually peaceful home can do wonders for your mood.
- You’ll Have More Space
Want to do yoga at home? Your living room is now spacious enough for you to practice headstands. Having room to move around in your house freely will likely help you relax and feel happier. Plus, there’s more space to have fun – so feel free to play tag with your kids or tug-of-war with the dog without knocking things off the table. Minimalism allows you to spread out even in a small home.
- You’ll Be More Sustainable
By purchasing a few pieces of high-quality furniture, clothing, and decor, you won’t have to constantly replace cheaply made items as they break. Instead, you’ll own things that could last a lifetime or even longer. This will keep plastic junk and other single-use items out of landfills.
- You Can Invite People Over
Is your friend unexpectedly in town and wants to drop by? You can invite her over without dedicating a week to cleaning the house first. Gone will be the days of jumping at the sound of the doorbell.
- You’ll Improve Your Focus
Try working in a calm, clutter-free room with nothing but a desk, chair, computer, and a few decorations on the walls. Now try working in a room piled floor-to-ceiling with toys, trash, bedding, and boxes. Which is easier?
Of course, your situation might not be as extreme as living in a hoarder’s house, but you’ll probably have a much easier time focusing on a clean environment. Without constant visual input around you for your brain to process, you can zero in on the task at hand.
- You’ll Save Money
How happy will that brand-new phone really make you feel? Will it be a huge leap forward when compared to your old phone, allowing you to experience new things and making your life easier? Or does it just have a slightly bigger screen?
When you learn to critically evaluate your purchases, you’ll be less likely to buy things on impulse. In the long run, this will save you money that you can put towards experiences that actually will bring you joy, like buying plane tickets to visit your parents or having a weekend getaway at the beach.
- You’ll Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
In the race to have the newest, the most, the biggest, or the rarest items money can buy, you’ll inevitably start comparing yourself to people who have more than you. The ensuing feeling of envy, coupled with a sense of being inferior to your peers, is what drives many people to buy status symbols like expensive cars or giant houses they don’t need.
You can step away from that contest. By being satisfied with what you have and cultivating a sense of purpose beyond owning material possessions, you’ll realize that you don’t need to compete with the Joneses.
The Many Reasons to Embrace Minimalism
If adding things to the cart is your response to stress, then it’s time to reevaluate. A minimalist lifestyle could help you relax, breathe easier, and focus on what’s really important to you. Yes, it requires some letting go. But that’s just the beauty of it.
