Minimalism is more than decluttering your space and removing junk; it is an art form. The very process of decluttering can make room for that which matters.
By decluttering, you free your mind. A clear space leads to clearer thinking. Instead of focusing on what you lost, it instead trains you to focus on what you have gained.
The very process of Minimalism may seem daunting at first, what with removing things, but over time you will start appreciating the cleanness that has entered your life. And, to note, you are not just removing random or precious things, you are removing that which can provide no further value to you.
Admittedly however, sentimental things can be a little hard to remove, but by embracing an abundance mindset, by reminding yourself that new experiences will come again, it may help soften the blow of having to remove these items.
One important thing to note, is that you do not need to be wealthy to embrace minimalism. It’s understandable that people with fewer financial resources may feel the need to hold onto things, and that’s completely fine. However, this mindset can sometimes lead to clutter and make it harder to see the benefits of letting go.
The best thing about Minimalism is how it prevents “Choice Overload”, a condition where you have too many choices to make. For example, let’s say, instead of a Full wardrobe, you narrow your clothes down to 5 versatile outfits (multiple copies are fine). You can then assign different clothes to specific events (casual, formal, sports, etc.), making it easier to decide when you’re in a rush. This helps create a more systematic process for selecting outfits.
In this rapidly changing world, it seems that society has adopted consumerism as a way of life; “buy more, because having more will make you happy”. Minimalism challenges this notion by advocating the opposite: “have less, because having less makes you appreciate what you have, which in turn, makes you happier.”
For example, let’s say this fictional character Bob earns a six-figure yearly salary. After graduating college, Bob lands himself a job at this prestigious law firm. So, to reward himself, Bob buys a literal mansion and decorates himself with cars, yachts, and jewelry. And don’t forget insurance.
Along the line, say five years later, Bob is still at his job, and he is still being paid six figures, but he has to keep up with his car maintenance, and has to pay insurance monthly on basically everything he owns (also, this is five years later, imagine how much more stuff Bob would have bought). So, not only is Bob drowning in bills (and presumably debt), but he has surrounded himself with things he just doesn’t want anymore. Sad Bob.
This leads to my third point: overconsumption can lead to regret, whether that be buyer’s remorse or the pressure from having to maintain everything you bought. Minimalism makes your choices seem more intentional, with every purchase having brought some sort of joy or purpose in your life.
So, to summarize:
- Minimalism is more than just removing stuff but rather an art form, removing things that no longer provide value, can allow for more clear-headedness.
- You do not need to be wealthy to be minimalistic.
- Minimalism prevents “Choice Overload”, reducing time and preventing “Decision Fatigue”
- Minimalism helps combat the growing trend of consumerism by promoting appreciatiation
- Overconsumption can lead to regret; using minimalism as a tool to make intentional choices can bring more joy to your life.