Benefits of Living a Minimalist Lifestyle
Minimalism is a way to put a stop to the gluttony
of the world around us. It’s the opposite of every advertisement we see
plastered on the radio and TV. We live in a society that prides itself on
the accumulation of stuff; we eat up consumerism, material possessions,
clutter, debt, distractions and noise.
What we don’t seem to have is any meaning left in our world.
By adopting a minimalist lifestyle you can throw out what you
don’t need in order to focus on what you do need.
I know first hand how little we actually need to survive. I was
fortunate enough to live in a van for four months while traveling throughout
Australia. This experience taught me valuable lessons about what really matters
and how little we really need all this stuff we surround ourselves with.
Less is more
Living a minimalist lifestyle is reducing.There
are a few obvious benefits such as less cleaning and stress, a more organized
household and more money to be found, but there are also a few deep,
life-changing benefits. What we don’t usually realize is that when we
reduce, we reduce a lot more than just stuff.
Consider just some of the benefits of living with fewer possessions.
1. Create room for what’s important
When we purge our junk drawers and closets we create space
and peace. We lose that claustrophobic feeling and we can actually breathe
again. Create the room to fill up our lives with meaning instead of stuff.
2. More freedom
The accumulation of stuff is like an anchor, it ties us
down. We are always terrified of losing all our
‘stuff’. Let it go and you will experience a freedom like never
before: a freedom from greed, debt, obsession and overworking.
3. Focus on health and hobbies
When you spend less time at Home Depot trying
unsuccessfully to keep up with the Joneses, you create an opening to
do the things you love, things that you never seem to have time for.
Everyone is always saying they don’t have enough time, but how
many people really stop and look at what they are spending their
time doing? You could be enjoying a day with your kids, hitting up
the gym, practicing yoga, reading a good book or traveling. Whatever it is
that you love you could be doing, but instead you are stuck at Sears shopping
for more stuff.
4. Less focus on material possessions
All the stuff we surround ourselves with is
merely a distraction, we are filling a void. Money can’t buy happiness,
but it can buy comfort. After the initial comfort is satisfied, that’s where
our obsession with money should end.
We are bombarded by the media presenting promises of
happiness through materialistic measures. It’s no wonder we struggle
everyday. Resist those urges. It’s an empty path, it won’t make you
happy.
It’s hard not to get roped into the consumerism trap. I need
constant reminders that it’s a false sense of happiness. I enjoy
stuff, but I also recognize that I don’t need it.
5. More peace of mind
When we cling onto material possessions we create stress because
we are always afraid of losing these things. By simplifying your life you
can lose your attachment to these things and ultimately create a calm, peaceful
mind.
The less things you have to worry about, the more peace you
have, and it’s as simple as that.
6. More happiness
When de-cluttering your life, happiness naturally comes because
you gravitate towards the things that matter most. You see clearly the false
promises in all the clutter, it’s like a broken shield against life’s true
essence.
You will also find happiness in being more efficient, you
will find concentration by having refocused your priorities, you will find joy
by enjoying slowing down.
7. Less fear of failure
When you look at Buddhist monks, they have no fear, and they
have no fear because they don’t have anything to lose.
In whatever you wish to pursue doing you can excel, if you
aren’t plagued with the fear of losing all your worldly
possessions. Obviously you need to take the appropriate steps to put a
roof over your head, but also know that you have little to fear except fear
itself.
8. More confidence
The entire minimalist lifestyle promotes individuality and self
reliance. This will make you more confident in your pursuit of happiness.
