How Minimalism Changed my Life for the Better
The word “minimalism” draws one of three responses from people. Some people think that a minimalist is an insane person living in an asylum; with stark walls, empty cupboards, and a comforter on the floor. Others coil in fear of having to actually get rid of things they’ve worked so hard to get. Others still laugh it off as a passing trend like Uggs or Tamagotchis.
For the most part, once any one of these three types meets an actual minimalist, their minds start to change.
I’ll admit, I used to be a combination of all three of these people. I used to think that minimalism was a fad that made overstimulated millennials throw away all their belongings and drink overpriced pour-over coffee. To be honest, I still think that can be true, but it’s not the core of what minimalism is.
Truthfully, minimalism means something different for everyone. For me, minimalism is owning less, and living more. It’s about creating space for the things you love.
Minimalism is a tool. It can help you to find freedom. It can help you pursue a purpose-driven life. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why I chose to be a minimalist:
It Helps Lower Stress & Anxiety
Our world is one driven by the need to accumulate things. We’re bombarded every day with ads telling us how this new thing will make us prettier, more productive, a better person, happier. While it may give us a little taste of happiness, the feeling that we’ve made it, the moment is fleeting and eventually what is new becomes old the second something newer, better comes out and the cycle repeats itself.
This leads to more stress and anxiety from trying to build wealth so that we can spend it on things. Minimalism helps break this cycle by minimizing the power of things in your life. By only bringing items into the home and your life that serve a purpose, you break the cycle of consumerism that generates stress.
The truth is, you’ll never have enough.
By minimizing the amount of things, we minimize the stress they bring. Without the clutter, I’m able to find things easier and clean my apartment faster. With my minimalist wardrobe, I’m able to pack faster and can be off on a trip on a moment’s notice without the frantic looking for “the perfect outfit”.
Plus, in turn you reduce clutter in the home and save money, which leads us to the next point…
It Can Save You Money
I’ll admit, some people have made a lot of money off of minimalism. They’ve warped the idea of owning less with spending more. They’ll say something like “stop spending money on fast fashion, buy this $100 tee” or “buy high-quality, hand made furnishings instead of IKEA” and while yes, higher quality items can last longer and therefore save you money, I’ve found a nice balance with high-quality, low cost furniture and clothing; Target.
I can feel you rolling your eyes at this, but trust me. Almost all of my clothes (with the exception of my winter clothes) are from Target. My capsule wardrobe was all purchased during one of their hundreds of clothing sales; $6 tee shirts, $15 sweaters, $40 LEVIS jeans. All are of high quality, and all have helped me save money. I haven’t found them to disintegrate like H&M clothes do, and they’re cheap enough that in a year or two I won’t be upset to have to go out and buy a new one.
Then there’s my furniture; a combination of Target brands, IKEA, and Facebook Marketplace can help strike a balance of quality and affordability.
Minimalism at its core is about less. As long as you’re smart and willing to look a little harder, the money you do spend on things can be a nice balance of quality and affordability.
It Can Save You Time
The old saying of “time is money” couldn’t be more true. When we stop spending our time acquiring stuff, we are able to free up our time to spend in more fulfilling ways.
Time is your greatest asset. I’m now able to spend time doing what I want to do, than what I have to do. All this leaves me with more time to work on projects I’m passionate about because let’s be real; nobody likes cleaning.
Travel, Experiences, and Family
By reducing clutter, freeing up time, and spending less on things, we’re able to spend more time and money on the things we care about. For me, this is my family and experiencing the world. For others, it could be volunteering for a nonprofit. What you do with your newfound time and financial freedom is up to you.
I find that I’m able to spend time traveling. Before I became a minimalist, I rarely traveled. I was working a job that was killing me so that I could afford the dream I was sold by someone else. Once I decided to declutter and take a job that I enjoyed doing-and one that provided me with the ability to take time off when I wanted-I never looked back.
Minimalism has enabled me to take trips to dream destinations in Asia and Europe, and is what inspired me to start this blog and YouTube channel.
In my past life, I didn’t value family as much as I should have and it’s something I’ve been trying to make up for since my mother passed away in 2013.
What’s stopping you?
Minimalism doesn’t have to be some radical change to your lifestyle. Simply being conscious of your decisions and valuing your time can have amazing benefits. Changing how you view your possessions can change other aspects of your life for the better.
Originally published at thetravelingminimalist.com on December 1, 2020.
