Why Should I Become a Minimalist?

Imagine a life with less. Less business, less stress, less disappointment, less struggle. Imagine a life with more. More time, meaningful relationships, more contribution, and satisfaction. This is what minimalism proposes, an approach that seeks to answer a question: how to reach deep levels of satisfaction in our relationships, family, and our work.

It’s not about getting rid of all these things, but rather about how we find what is important to us, to create a daily experience rich in sensations, to live a balanced and meaningful life. How to become minimalist and why having less will make you richer and happier.

It is going against the grain to ask you to have less in the society in which we live today where we seek to have more. More money, more consumer goods, more relationships, a bigger house, etc … I’m not going to tell you that living like a hermit will make you happier, I’ll just talk about minimalism.

What is minimalism?

First of all, minimalism can be approached in many ways. Everyone has their vision of this philosophy. Some people think that it consists of owning the bare minimum: 1 shirt, 1 pair of pants, 1 pair of shoes, 1 mattress. Just the necessary.

Others see minimalism as a way of getting away from the consumer society, quitting the compulsive and unnecessary shopping. My personal definition of minimalism is simple: focus on the essentials. By concentrating on the essentials, we risk buying more consciously or paying attention to what we have.

However, I insist that minimalism is real work on oneself. But do not fret, here are some steps to take when trying out minimalism.

1. Step back to see what is essential

Make a list of the items in your life you cannot live without. By physically writing it down, you are validating those items to be the most important.

2. Devote all your time, money and effort to what really matters

Is it family, travel, or helping others? Whatever it may be, find something that will bring happiness to you in the things you do.

3. Do not waste your time doing things that are useless

Watching TV is a big time waster. While it is great to relax and watch a movie sometimes, it shouldn’t become a daily habit. Take a walk, visit a family member, or go check out some new books at the library.

4. Did you forget about that incurring expense you no longer need?

Say, like those “free” subscriptions you signed up on months ago but forgot to cancel? Keep your expenses at a minimum and check your account on a regular basis.

5. Do not devote your efforts to doing an activity that wastes your energy

This is true especially when you decide you want to do some shopping during rush hour. All that traffic for a new scarf is exhausting! Wasting energy is tiring and when you’re tired, you are less productive. Therefore, you are not accomplishing as much as you would wish.

In fact, thinking about it, everyone should be minimalist. Why should we waste our time, energy, and money on things that are of no interest to us?

Why should I become a minimalist?

If you see this philosophy as a constraint, let me explain how it will bring positivity to your everyday life.

First, let’s start with your money. Take stock of what you buy every month. For example, how much you spend on your outings, how much for your hobbies, bills, rent, and clothes, etc. Some expenses are mandatory of course (rent, bills), but you can reduce or limit them anyway. Nevertheless, do not restrict yourself. Identify the things you could have done, things that were superfluous. By having this reflection, you will keep in mind what you spend your money on.

More money because you will spend less, simply. Minimalism is expressed case by case, it is the individual who identifies what is and what is not essential in his life. Find out what type of minimalist you are here!

Our culture has always attached meaning to the material elements, the goal is to break these beliefs and begin to focus on the non-material. Remove a material well from your life every day for a month. Underweight each object by asking yourself: does this thing add value to my life?

You will see that you will dispose of well over 30 items to keep only those things that add value to your life. The more you do it, the freer, happier, and lighter you will feel, and the more things you want to throw away.

Minimalism can express itself in many ways. Minimalistic handling of your agenda. A minimalist approach to choosing how to spend your energy and focusing on what represents real value to you.