9 Reasons to Give Minimalism a Chance

Who would choose to be a minimalist?

You might have visions of living in an empty room with few things. But that's not what minimalism is all about; it's not about reducing everything to the minimum possible. This is about getting rid of the things and commitments that don't really matter to you.

The cost of your obligations is expensive in ways you might not immediately think of, like dollars and time. Modifying your life by adopting a few minimalist principles could help bring you fulfilment and life satisfaction. For you to be truly happy, it means that you should be free to focus on the things that matter to you. I'm not telling you to throw everything away; I'm just asking you to cut back on the unnecessary things that are occupying your time and mind.

Many people have minimalism in their minds without actually making it a reality. I'm not saying you should go full-on simple (that would be crazy!), but I am saying you should take the first step. Try to clear away all your excesses and use minimalism as a way to improve your life.

If you're already a minimalist, you probably know the benefits of limiting your possessions. But why don't more people give minimalism a chance?

I believe one of the reasons is because they think it's impossible. I'm sure you've seen tons of articles in advice columns and blogs about how to be a minimalist, but the hard part is actually doing it. You have to make it a priority in your life and it's easy to get overwhelmed by the stuff we own. I know, because I'm a collector as well!

What does minimalism mean?

Minimalism is defined as having a simple lifestyle, living in a small room with few possessions, and being frugal. It's about making less of yourself so you can have more time for other things.

The idea of minimalism is not new. The Minimalist movement began more recently, with people living by this motto on their way to financial and material independence.

What is the minimalist life?

Minimalists can live smaller spaces without too much stuff. They don't need much in order to be happy, so they only have the things they want. They generally eat healthy and don't buy much in terms of food or clothes. Their entire life is based on less stuff, less debt, and more time to enjoy your life.

Minimalism is not always about zero debt, though. Minimalists can still own lots of stuff, if they want. Their life is based on less stuff and more time. The great thing about this lifestyle is you make it fit for you.

Why you should give minimalism a chance

Thanks to social media, you can keep up with what other people are doing to live minimalistic lives. I see minimalism as a way of life that you can gradually adopt, just like many other “good” habits that we have. So if you're interested in adopting a minimalist lifestyle, but are scared of it being too much work, I have 9 reasons why you should give it a try.

You'll spend a lot less time cleaning.

Half of the time you spend cleaning is actually spent decluttering. It's easier to clean the floors, the counters, and the furniture if you don't have to spend time moving things around and putting things away first.

You'll be able to find your keys, phone, remote control, and all the other stuff you need much faster. When you have less stuff in your house, you can easily find what you're looking for.

It's more efficient and the less stuff you have, the easier it is to clean and maintain. You'll also be surrounded by the things that mean the most to you.

You'll feel better.

Less clutter uplifts your mood and outlook on life.

Minimalism is a form of progressive free spirit that aims to move away from excess towards simplicity. It promotes getting rid of items that are taking up too much space without emotional attachment or use. You'll be surprised how much better you feel without all the stuff that's commonly in your way. It will be easier to find things.

Minimalism is inexpensive.

Owning an abundance of things that never get used can worsen our moods. We all have that friend that feels compelled to buy more things the moment they decide to give minimalism a chance, but they accumulate clutter until it becomes impossible to think straight. It only stands to reason that you'll save more money by buying fewer things–and actually wind up with something you love. You might even make a few bucks when getting rid of the things that aren't meaningful to you.

You can own higher quality items.

With more money to spend, you might be able to buy a nicer car, TV, or clothing. Or you might want to save the money, but at least you have the choice.

What would you buy if you could? Minimalism could make this possible for you. It could also make you more organized. It's easier to not buy stuff that doesn't fit into your life or that you rarely use, if you're able to identify what the clutter is doing to your life. When you're able to simplify your life, it's easier to be happy and free of regret.

You'll want stuff that lasts longer. Everyone wants new things, but they're not always the best things. Spend time looking for good, quality items that will last longer than you might think possible. The internet can be your friend.

You have more free time.

With fewer things to take care of and less time spent on cleaning and decluttering, you'll have more free time to enjoy the rest of your life. You also have fewer distractions which makes it easier to enjoy the other parts of your life.You will feel more accomplished. When you spend less time on stuff, you'll be able to accomplish more.

You'll be more inspired. You'll have fewer distractions so you can focus on what you really want. You'll have more free time to read inspirational books, listen to motivating podcasts and watch motivational videos.

You'll be more productive. You won't have to spend so much time on cleaning or decluttering, which frees up time you can use for other things.

You'll be happier. When you are happy, everything overflows. Everything is better because of it. You will have more energy to do the things you want to do. You will be more present. When you do not clutter your home with unnecessary things, you can spend more time in the moment and enjoy life more.

Less stress.

A cleaner home, more money, more free time, and more space result in less stress. Just look at a picture of a minimalist home and notice the feeling of serenity that comes over you. Now imagine coming home to that same feeling after a long, stressful day at work.

Clearer sense of purpose and greater motivation.

By limiting your activities and possessions to the most important, youÕll find it easier to focus and make decisions. Your commitment to those remaining activities also increases.More time .

The average person spends about a third of their life in the house. Minimalism can help you gain more time by not being overwhelmed by your possessions, and by creating a lifestyle that allows you to be fully present in the moment.

Relationships are enhanced.

When you and everyone in your home is less distracted, happier, and has more free time, you can enjoy each other more. A comfortable, stress-free environment benefits everyone in the home.You'll feel better about yourself.

Minimalism creates a space for you to reflect and think, creating a sense of calmness and self-esteem. You can also connect with the world and people around you in a deeper, more meaningful way.

You could live in a smaller home.

You certainly don't have to, but you have the option of moving to a smaller and less expensive home. A house is the most expensive thing you're likely to ever buy. You'll have the option of reducing this expense if you decide to give minimalism a try.You could have a smaller mortgage. A smaller mortgage is always a good thing, and having one to pay in the first place will make you much more likely to stick with it. You'll be happier saving money and paying off your debts, rather than spending it on things you don't need.

What would your goal be with minimalism?

Do you want to save money or do you want to get rid of clutter? You can definitely accomplish both with minimalism, but if your goal is to save money then it won't be long before you find yourself with a lot less stuff. It will take a bit more time and effort, if you want to get rid of clutter.

You'll be happier and healthier, too. There's no doubt that minimalism will make you happier, and feel great. You'll be less stressed about keeping up with the rest of your lifestyle (like work, school, etc.), you'll find yourself feeling more energized when you're working on a project and you'll be less likely to feel guilty about taking time off for yourself.

It's not easy, but it will make your life better. I know it sounds cheesy, but if you've been living with clutter for a long time, it'll take time to feel “normal” again and feel like your old self. Most of us have been conditioned to keep everything organized in one way or another so it's not easy to let go of that. But you'll start to see how the reasons I've outlined here can improve your life, if you give minimalism a chance.