I’ll be the first to admit, I have way too much stuff.

No matter how much I donate, sell or try to conserve by using what I already have, I still seem to accumulate more. And I’m sure it has nothing to do with my Amazon obsession, and everything to do with having 3 kids. Can I blame it on the kids? Because I know it’s definitely not my fault when Amazon is out here forcing me to buy things against my own will. Ugh.🙄

That being said, if it was up to me, (translation: if I had more discipline) I’d love to live in a very minimalist style home that basically looked like it was staged to sell all day, every day. Maybe I’d have a Monica Gellar closet somewhere for some of the sentimental storage and clutter, but you wouldn’t see any of it in plain view.

Clutter and excess stuff actually hurts my brain, and as we’ve discussed before, clutter induced anxiety is a real thing that happens to people. (It’s science, look it up) That also happens to be one of the reasons why minimalism is so appealing to many, and here are a few more reasons why people have decided to adopt a minimalist lifestyle:

1. Less Stress

Studies have proven that owning fewer possessions equates to less stress, but minimalism is about getting rid of more than just your stuff. It’s also about decluttering your mind, your social media, your digital property, as well as your negative beliefs.

Minimalism involves being mindful of things that affect your well being, including those activities in your schedule that don’t bring you joy, and those people who drain your energy. When you shut the door on people and things that don’t add value to your life, you can focus on what’s really important.

2. Save Money

Minimalists spend less money because they take time to consider the value of something before they make a purchase, and they know what they need and what they don’t. They practice moderation and try to avoid unnecessary spending, focusing on what they already have and not acquiring more.

3. Save Time on Cleaning

It’s pretty simple – the less you own, the less you have to clean! Eliminating excess stuff and having a minimalist lifestyle gives you less to maintain and upkeep.

4. Become More Productive

Our stuff consumes us; from the apps we scroll through every day, to the clutter in our homes, our brains are constantly being distracted from accomplishing things. Having less distractions means your brain can focus on the tasks at hand which will improve productivity and allow you to stay on task.

5. Be Happier

It’s no secret that when you focus more on the things that matter, and less on the things that don’t, you’ll be a happier person. As you minimize, one of the greatest benefits is rediscovering the joys that are already around you and being grateful for what you have, instead of focusing on the next big purchase, or keeping up with the Jones’.

6. Embrace the Calm

Being a minimalist can help you realize the value of slowing down, embracing calm and solitude, and allow you to establish more peace and meditation in your life. You may find that it is rewarding to do less and stress less, and the sense of calm can help strengthen your mental well being.

Start Small
While you don’t have to become a minimalist overnight by dropping off half of your belongings at Goodwill, you can adopt a minimalist lifestyle in small, simpler ways such as focusing on your digital presence and your mental well being. Delete the apps that waste your time or affect your well being, delete the 30000 screenshots that you’re hoarding for no purpose, or eliminate the relationships and mindsets that are no longer serving you. Letting go is an empowering thing!

Written by: Stacey Wood