Skeptical of Minimalism? Here’s How it Could Change Your Life

If you’re on the fence, or just plain offended by the idea of minimalism, don’t feel bad. I remember when I first heard the term minimalism I was frustrated that there was even a word for it. What was wrong with my stuff? What was wrong with me liking what I liked? I was perfectly fine the way I was.

Until I wasn’t.

The change happened slowly, and little by little, as I read more about it, I began to see that it was not only something that I wanted to be a part of but, in small ways, it was already something I had begun doing. I had shifted from fast fashion to slow fashion back in 2017 and as I began to pare down everything in my closet, I saw minimalism for what it was:

Freedom.

Joshua Becker, in his book Things that Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life says, “I define minimalism as ‘the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from them.’”

So what do you think you’ll have to lose if you tuck minimalism into your back pocket and start to change? Well, I’ll tell you one thing: you won’t lose yourself. Ultimately, shedding everything that doesn’t belong in your life allows you to become who you were meant to be.

Here are five reasons why you should convert to a minimalist lifestyle.

1. More Money

When you stop spending on things you know you don’t need, like a huge wardrobe, you begin to see how much you already have. When you pare down your closet to what you wear and what you love, keeping classic and multi-functional pieces, that’s money. When you stop buying things to keep up with the Joneses, but instead keep what you have or even downsize, that’s money. How much could you save just by being happy with what you have for as long as possible?

2. More Time

We spend our time on things we value. Where is your time spent? If you’re like most of us, we let media dictate what we have had, what we have now, and what we will have. Take your time back. Lessen social media, and lessen your time on the television. Get back to doing what you used to do more because you love it, whether it’s working on the car, reading, or exercising. Lessen your have-tos so you can spend time doing your want-tos. Whatever it is, open up your schedule, and let go of busyness that interferes with living the real you.

3. More Peace

The best thing about letting go of my stuff – all the things I thought I needed to have to make me happy – is the peace that replaces that void. I don’t have to strive to be the “better” in my job, I can just be my best. I don’t have to try to appear like I’m more put together than any of my friends or friends I’ve never met (think Instagram), I can be put together the way I want to for myself. How joyous! When I can love what I own, that gives me peace. When I get to do what I love, that gives me peace. Get out of the rat race. You’re not a rat.

4. More Love

I think this part of minimalism runs deep into the depths of my soul. When I started my minimalism journey in all aspects of my life, I began to ask myself: What do I love? If I only love to write and sell vintage, then why am I doing these other two jobs that take away from that? If I love slow fashion, then why am I spending my time buying fast fashion? If I love the simple life, why am I trying to live a complicated life? When you pare down to love, you have everything you need. And that extra love will spread to the most important people in your life.

5. More Relationships

Speaking of important people, when minimalism thrives in your life, you gain clarity on what matters. People are important; relationships; family and friends. At the end of our lives, we won’t be concerned about how much money we made, or how well-curated our art collection was. It’s people. It’s our people.

As Joshua Becker also said in his book, Things That Matter, “Our goal is not to secure approval from others. That is empty and fleeting. Our goal is to live the one life we’ve been given to its greatest potential – whether anybody praises us for it or not.” When we live with a minimalist mindset, we lessen our mental, physical, and emotional load. That leaves room for more relationships. In my opinion, there’s nothing more valuable than the people in our lives.

Minimalism doesn’t get any simpler than this. From money, time, peace, love, and relationships so much good comes from changing the way we think about our stuff.

Because when we live with less, we live with so much more.

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About the Author: Heather Spiva is freelance writer from Northern California with a penchant for minimalism, vintage clothing, and coffee. When she’s not writing, she’s reading. Her husband and two grown sons are the loves of her life.