Minimalism has changed my life for the better. At first, it was difficult to imagine a life of fewer things because I spent years collecting goods and chasing the next best thing. But at the same time, I was hindered by clutter and overwhelmed by a stressful existence. Joy was not in my reach anymore until I decided to become a minimalist. In hopes of impacting someone’s life positively, I want to share the benefits of minimalism.
Reasons Why You Should Become A Minimalist
1. Reduced Stress
I was under the impression that once I became an adult, stress would be easy to deal with. I was so wrong!
Stress is never easy to deal with, irrespective of how old you are.
Thankfully, managing stress boils down to mindset and lifestyle. So we have more control over how we feel than we think!
You can choose to live a life that is inundated with stress, or you can simplify and live with more peace.
Clutter, in all its forms, causes excruciating amounts of pain and stress.
So by adopting minimalism, a clutter-free and organized home is a natural outcome, which is known to reduce stress. I’m quite certain that I feel less stressed when I stop chasing materialism, simplify my lifestyle, and live without clutter.
Related article: How I let go of emotional clutter with mindfulness
2. Increased Focus
Whether you have ADHD or not, distractions will pull your attention away from whatever you have to work on.
Recently, I cleaned up my work desk and adopted a minimalistic setup, which has increased focus and productivity. I’m not one of those people who can work in chaos, and I’m glad to have decluttered because it makes sitting at my desk a joy.
It’s also easy to keep track of important documents and notes when your work space is devoid of trash, unimportant paperwork, and unnecessary stationery or equipment.
3. Improved Mental Health
Despite an abundance of items at our disposal that are designed to make life easier, anxiety, depression, and stress in people of all ages are at an all-time high.
Perhaps we can attribute it to our lifestyle and routines. I can’t speak for everyone, but minimalism has encouraged me to live with more gratitude for what little I have.
I mention this because they say that gratitude is the antidote for depression and the pathway to contentment.
If living a fast-paced, cluttered, and materialistic lifestyle is sabotaging your mental health, consider a simpler life with fewer things and more experiences.
This is honestly one of my favorite benefits of minimalism.
4. Financial Benefits
You can’t waste money or run up your credit card while being a minimalist. It goes against the very idea of living simply and intentionally.
I used to indulge myself in retail therapy on a regular basis, and it would destroy any kind of budget that I attempted to follow.
The financial benefit of minimalism shows on my tax returns now because I save much more and spend less on items that collect dust and take up space in my home.
Related article: The reasons why I don’t waste money on name-brand items
5. Better Physical Health
Because I’m not chasing money nor am I addicted to consumerism, I have more time and energy to spend on my health and fitness.
Seeking out joy in experiences has led me to sporting activities like badminton and swimming with my family.
This has strengthened my joints and muscles while trimming down the fat around my body. The best part about this is that I look much better in my clothes, which is an indirect benefit of minimalism!
I also apply minimalism to the way I workout.
Gone are the days when I’d destroy my body with HIIT training or complicated diets. Simple, healthy habits have created the most results for me, and I believe they can do the same for you.
6. Enhanced Relationships
As I’ve gotten older, I can’t help but feel a stronger appreciation for relationships than I ever have before.
It’s not about being around a ton of people, but about nurturing meaningful and special bonds with the people in my life.
Since I don’t chase material items anymore, I find myself prioritizing my precious family and friends a lot more. These relationships are thriving, and I’m a much better person because of them.
7. Increased Productivity
I approach minimalism holistically. What this means is that beyond material items, I also look for ways to live intentionally and simply without sacrificing my goals and dreams.
Since 80% of results usually come from 20% of actions, I streamline my routine by cutting out the majority of wasteful activities and tasks in place of a handful of activities that actually get me closer to what I want to achieve.
Doing this has taught me the difference between being busy and being productive.
To be busy is to just have a lot to do, while to be productive is to make tangible or quantifiable progress towards your objectives. Minimalism cuts out the bullshit and encourages you to work on what matters.
Related article: 18 Things to do in the morning before using your phone
8. Improved Sleep
A clutter-free environment with fewer distractions and devices reduces the risk of overstimulating my brain or disrupting my circadian rhythm with blue light.
As a result of this change, I fall asleep quicker and easier than ever before.
9. Environmental Impact
By consuming less and being mindful of your environmental footprint, minimalism can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
This can have positive effects on the planet’s health, indirectly benefiting your own well-being.
Related article: The 6 types of clutter to minimize in your life
10. Greater Sense of Purpose
Minimalism often involves reflecting on your values and priorities.
By decluttering both physical and mental spaces, you may gain a clearer sense of purpose and direction in life.
Removing myself from the rat race of life has cleared the fog and directed me towards my calling in life, which is to write.
Look into this if you also struggle with a feeling of emptiness and uncertainty over the future.
It really helps!