The more the merrier…? Thanks to globalization, commercialization and international trade, there’s lots of stuff flooding supermarket shelves, boutique shops, outlets and grand bazaars.. It’s overwhelming! However, public perceptions are slowly changing. People are growing more conscious of the sociopolitical, economic, environmental and mental health implications of trade and commerce on our lives. Minimalism has emerged as an alternative way of life that abandons the obsession with stuff and empowers people to make peace with themselves, their environment and nature. Let’s explore the hidden benefits of minimalism.
Minimalism also has additional perks. Check out these hidden benefits of minimalism that may help improve your quality of life and lifestyle.
YOU SPEND LESS
If your approach to shopping is “oh, I like this; maybe I’ll buy it!” then you’re likely buying a lot of stuff that you don’t need. Usually, these spontaneous purchases result in you having a ton of useless stuff lying around your house or apartment.
This unfortunate practice is quite expensive, and it often ends up draining your bank account without adding much value to your lifestyle. Instead, consider shifting your attitude and trying the minimalist approach. Be conscious of the things around you at home. Ask yourself: “do I really need this?”; “Can I do without that?”
When you narrow it down to just a handful of things you need/enjoy, you’ll be able to appreciate them a hell of a lot more than you did before, and, to top it off, you will be spending much less on useless stuff.
If you are interested in other ways to save money without much effort, check out our article on the topic here.
IT CALMS YOUR MIND
This one’s simple; the less you have, the less you have to worry about. If you have, say, 3 cars instead of just one, then you have to remember about car payments, storage, maintenance for all of them. Sounds like a pain to me.
In similar fashion, if you buy a really expensive phone, you’ll be in a constant state of anxiety. “What if I drop it and it breaks?;” “What if someone steals it?” If you are a minimalist, you don’t have to worry nearly as much.
Being a minimalist can also mean having a job that is less lucrative but also less stressful. Minimalists can focus on spending time with their friends and family, pursuing their hobbies, or, say, learning a new language. If you take this path, you will have to give up on certain luxuries, but maybe you don’t really need to buy a Lamborghini car or Rolex watch.
YOU WILL APPRECIATE LIFE MORE
If you learn how to live with only the things you absolutely need, you will automatically appreciate life much more. Instead of constantly beating yourself up over not having the newest iPhone, you’ll learn to enjoy the very fact that you’re able to live a peaceful life. There are, after all, millions of people all around the planet who do not enjoy such excesses.
How about simply going for a walk, or gardening in your backyard? Nowadays, many people are so busy that they can’t even stop for a second to appreciate the landscape that they find themselves in.
As a minimalist, you can also appreciate your loved ones and your friends more. No longer will spending time with them feel like a burden, like something that collides with your professional life. Rather, family, friends and peace of mind are ends in themselves.
Moreover, you will have the opportunity to focus more on yourself instead of on the things you own. Your mental health, as well as your physical health, are both incredibly important. Minimalism can help you manage them more consciously.
IT’S EASIER TO KEEP TRACK OF STUFF
This is kind of self-evident. You don’t have to keep track of your stuff if you barely own any stuff. You don’t have to remember whether you fixed that broken sink in your summer house, or where you put that multifunctional blender of yours.
Instead, you’ll be able to focus your mental energy on more meaningful things- your hobbies, for instance.
IT’S ECO-FRIENDLY
Taking care of the environment is very important, especially in today’s world. And you know what can make you more eco-friendly? Leading a minimalist lifestyle that discourages harmful production practices and disincentivizes unsustainable commerce that exists at the expense of our climate.
As a minimalist, you will buy fewer things, and, well, produce less waste/litter. All that useless stuff we buy on Amazon doesn’t just magically disappear. Often, it ends up in some garbage pit, and thus the earth and the seas. Ultimately we are polluting the environment.
Of course, as a minimalist, you are voting with your wallet. Your influence on your own life, but also on the public at large, is tangible. With more and more people making conscious decisions, the corporate world will have to adjust to cater to changing tastes and behaviors.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Minimalism doesn’t entail that you have to rid your life of any and all things that you possess or feel the need to acquire. Quite the opposite, minimalism can mean buying few items of high quality instead of a whole bunch of useless junk.
Since high quality (usually) means longer durability, instead of buying a new pair of pants every 3 months, you can buy an expensive one that will last you years.
Also, storage space is limited. The more room you dedicate to your belongings, the less room there will be for you and your family. It’s difficult to grasp that as you’re buying, say, the new Dust Destroyer 4000X vacuum cleaner. After all, it’s just one item. How can it ever be a problem? Yet, as you keep making purchases, you’ll quickly realize that they take up a lot of space. Quite often it’s more than you will be able to manage.
MOVING IS EASIER
When moving, often the biggest hurdle is to transport all those precious belongings of yours. How do I pack them? Do I transport them myself or should I ask a friend/family member? Better still, what if you use cargo services? How much will that cost? How long will it take? These questions and concerns all but disappear if you commit to a minimalist lifestyle.
With few things to your name, you’ll be able to move to whatever city or country you wish. You can even go full nomad and move to a new place every month. See? Minimalism doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, more often than not, it’s the opposite! If you can’t decide on the perfect destination, check out our article on the most interesting countries to see.
