When people think of minimalism, the need to sacrifice things comes to mind. That’s not true. For the record, minimalism is not just about getting rid of things. It’s more of a lifestyle that encourages removing clutter in your life and focusing on things that truly matter.
In this day and age, we have more than we need. For instance, simply googling for ways to cure a migraine is already an information overload. That’s why it’s important to filter out the unnecessary. Here’s how minimalism can improve your life.
This story was first published on Shape.
With less clutter, cleaning your house will be a breeze. Segment your belongings into storage boxes: shirts, shorts, belts, et cetera. This way, when stuff in those boxes start piling up, you’ll know that you’re buying more than what you need. With your items neatly categorised, you’ll also be able to locate them easily.
Get rid of those impulse buys that you don’t need. The general rule of thumb throwing away things: Not used for a month = Junk. Evaluate every item that you own, and separate your needs and wants. Going back to a neat home will definitely make you calm and feel at ease.
If your wardrobe is bursting, you’ll always find it a headache to pick an outfit in the morning. With fewer pieces, your decision-making process becomes much simpler. Opt for classic designs with neutral colours for easy matching.
The late Steve Jobs used to wear the same outfit every day: black turtleneck sweater and blue jeans. That’s because choosing what to wear is one of those daily chores that causes decision fatigue. Decision fatigue happens when you’re faced with too many choices, and have to make a decision in a short period of time. This reduces your decision-making ability. By adopting a minimalism approach, you can focus on making the important decisions that really matter.
There is a sense of freedom when you’re not attached to so many things, and instead, focusing on the things that are important. Leading a minimalistic lifestyle encourages you to put in time and effort into things that you believe in.
This applies to both people around you and your physical possessions. Focus on the people who genuinely mean well and want you to grow. With fewer things to worry about, you’ll have more time to care for yourself.
Trying to keep up with the latest trends and buying new things are just forms of temporary happiness. By practising minimalism, you’ll learn not to desire more than you need.
Appreciate what you already have. It could be that pair of sneakers you bought with your first paycheck. Things that give us good memories are the ones that we cherish more.
Minimalism also makes us reflect and make time for what’s actually important: our loved ones. One of life’s simple pleasures is when the people you care about understand you.
When you cultivate the minimalism lifestyle, you’ll be less affected by people’s judgements. With fewer things to juggle, your life focus gets clearer. You become more confident about what you believe in and won’t be easily swayed.