You thought becoming a minimalist is only about having less stuff, more space, and more free time on your hands? Think again. Your lifestyle affects not only your household, but it affects you on a personal level as well.
Becoming a Minimalist
Listed below are a few surprising things that you can look forward to as a minimalist, other than the obvious advantage of having a decluttered mind.
1. You become friendlier.
When you reduce stress and free up time and space, you can naturally give more thought to how you treat people and how you react in different situations. You tend to give more attention to the detail, and you become a good listener.
2. Silence becomes your go-to zone.
In a highly stressful lifestyle, you may think you thrive on pressure and speed, but once you pull back, you will come to appreciate the quiet and solitude. You’ll lose the guilt about sitting still, and you will discover that it is possible and rewarding to do less and be more. Silence also pushes you to meditate and declutter your mind, which helps in strengthening minimalism on a mental level.
3. You start to make informed decisions.
When you remove the plethora of endless choices, you can save your decision-making skills for the things that matter. You’ll be more confident in making decisions and consequently, you will be content with what you choose.
4. Happiness becomes a state of mind.
After you spend time away from shopping and hoarding stuff, you’ll realize that you didn’t need all of that stuff to be happy. You’ll begin to see happiness as an internalized condition instead of something that you have to buy or chase.
5. You know what you don’t need.
Living with less validates the pointlessness of just-in-case items, and eliminates the preoccupation with being prepared for everything. You’ll slowly begin to appreciate that you have enough, which makes it easier to let go of the clutter and say no to most purchases.
6. You develop a healthier lifestyle.
Understanding what your body really needs is vital, but how can you hear the messages in the middle of the continuous chaos? Becoming a minimalist gives you time to pay attention, make changes, and do what you need to do to live a healthier lifestyle. With time, you will eliminate the junk foods and fillers and replace them with simpler and healthier options.
7. You don’t indulge in impulsive buys.
Advertisers want to persuade you that you need the latest and greatest and they create sales and specials to make you think you need it now. When you want less, you can buy what you need when you are ready, not when they are ready. That eliminates all concern for billboards, pop-ups, coupons, sales, reward programs and other silly distractions.
8. Simple is attractive.
The mantra of Minimalism says, “This is who I am without all of the stuff.” And that “I’m peeling off the layers of excess so I can know the real me, and you can know the real me.” This is a rare quality among humans to reveal who they truly are, so it is highly attractive, and even noble.
9. You become more self-assured.
When you remove everything that doesn’t matter, to make room for the things that matter the most, you can align your lifestyle with your values and stop compromising in an effort to make room for all of it. Understanding what matters and what doesn’t and creating a life with what does, is a massive confidence booster.
10. You develop a personal style statement.
Instead of chasing trends, you can finally wear what fits your body and your lifestyle. It may take some time to figure out how you want to dress, but soon you’ll feel more comfortable, receive more compliments, and be better dressed with less. Also, it will be easy on your pocket because you will not be following minimalist fashion blindly.
11. You are open to uncertainty.
Minimalism provides room for uncertainty. When you live with less, you move through the world with a lightness that allows for change and the uncertain nature of life. When you aren’t weighed down with stress, stuff, and worry, it’s easier to let go, make simple shifts and transition with grace.
12. You become de-stressed.
Minimalism helps you sort your stuff out, both mentally and physically. Mental decluttering leads to a relieved and relaxed state of mind that helps you perform better as a human, because you know what must be prioritized in life.
You can reap the fruit of these benefits as well, and there is more than one way to get there. There isn’t one right or best way to become a minimalist, but it does offer the best way to live life your way.
Further Reading
For more guidance, check out this helpful article from Becoming Minimalist on how to become a minimalist. It breaks down the benefits of minimalism, the meaning of minimalism, and it even has a helpful video.