MINIMALISM, A SIMPLER LIFE
Minimalism is a simple concept, it’s about owning less and living intentionally, it sounds straight forward enough however it's not necessarily easy to adopt.
Discarding the possessions which you felt at one time that you desperately needed and that can hold great sentimental value, can be emotionally draining and requires the investment
of time and energy, particularly in the early stages of decluttering. Nonetheless, it is one of the best decisions you can make and you’ll be amazed by how much it can improve your life.
So, here are some of the best parts of owning less and consuming intentionally, which may help you to try out this lifestyle for yourself .
Clarity of mind
We don’t think of our physical possessions being linked to mental and emotional health, but the connection between the two is undeniable. Studies show when we clear out our wardrobes, it has a massive impact on our mental clarity and peace of mind. Focusing is easier when your line of vision is less disturbed by mess.
When did you last take the time to go through your loft and sort through all of the things you forgot were hiding in there. If you make the effort and finally make time for it, it can feel like a huge relief as there is something about clearing them out that can completely calm your mind plus the great feeling you get when you take a load of clothes to the charity shop.
If you don’t need it, love it or use it, get rid of it.When you come back to a decluttered home at the end of the week you don’t have to wake up early on a Saturday morning to take time out of your weekend to start tidying up.
Very few people like being surrounded by mess. It is distracting, anxiety inducing and ultimately unproductive. The fact is, when you have too much stuff, tidiness isn’t feasible without a ridiculous amount of effort. You’ll spend astonishingly little time cleaning your minimal living space and see it as a peaceful sanctuary. Just hanging up clothes, wiping surfaces (plus the odd deeper clean) will be enough to keep everything in order.
More Time FOR Health
It’s hard to think that getting rid of a few possessions might change your health but it’s not just about decluttering stuff, it’s also about clearing your diary and prioritising your time for whats important like looking after yourself, reaching personal fitness goals or just taking time out to be mindful and rest.
Over-commitment in our lives can be due to fear. Sometimes we are afraid to say no to our friends in fear of missing out on something or we fear spending time with just ourselves.
What would it look like to have more time? Would you be able to rest more and take better care of yourself? Minimalism takes many forms and your body and mind will thank you for it.
More freedom
If you really spent some time thinking about exactly how many physical possession you own or desire to own, all to impress someone else, whether it’s your friends, your partner, or ‘want to be’ partner, colleagues at your office or even in your family.
We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress other people some of which we don’t even like! Imagine the freedom you would experience if you could let go of that pressure and do what you need to do in order to impress yourself.
You will also be a lot happier without this never ending wish list of things that you can’t afford. Let go of how you think people need to perceive you and relax and enjoy being yourself.
Greater purpose
When you clear out the unnecessary activities and items from your life, something unexpected happens. A clear sense of purpose returns. You feel motivated to do what you’ve set out to do because your direction is clear and there is no confusion. When you only have a few commitments, you can take them seriously and are more lightly to achieve your goals.
Wiser Purchasing
When your home is tidy and orderly, frivolous purchases seem less appealing. You’ll be put off buying anything which isn’t actually needed. Sticking to the 'one in, one out rule' (each new item replaces an old one) can make this even more noticeable. Instead of wasting little bits of money on pointless purchases, you can save for larger, or higher quality ones, such as holidays.
Lifetime memories
When you begin to move the focus from possessions to memories, you can focus on making the most of your life and sharing experiences with your friends and family you’ll have enough great memories to keep you smiling for a lifetime. This is the stuff a great life is made of.
Better relationships
Ultimately, when you can stop competing with your friends and your family to own what you consider the nicest possessions, when you can stop trying to impress people and just begin to connect with them; when you can give up your people-pleasing and just be yourself, it shouldn’t surprise you that your relationships will improve. Great relationships are not built on competition. They’re built on shared experiences and great memories.
Practicalities
When there's less clutter obscuring what you’re looking for, it’s super easy to find it so no more panic. An overload of belongings is suffocating and can be a hindrance. That’s why moving house is one of the most stressful experiences. Less stuff to pack can only make it less difficult. Possessions can also breed guilt, clothing which is rarely worn or unappreciated gifts all become burdens. What you own should serve you, not the other way round.
Visual satisfaction
A clear living space is beautiful. Items which look nice have room to be displayed, like plants and books. That’s why practically all interior design magazines or Pinterest boards are dominated by soothing clear surfaces and white walls. Which keeps the mind calm and peacefully creating your own sanctuary. If you’re interested in knowing more about Minimalism, check out Joshua Becker author and founder of Becoming Minimalist. www.becomingminimalist.com/