5 Benefits of Being a Minimalist
By Charlie Ough
Spring has arrived, which means it’s time for a little bit of spring cleaning. But this year, why not take it a step further? With all of this extra time on your hands, it could be a good chance to adopt the KonMari method and simplify your home. A messy house can be taxing on your mental and physical health, so try eliminating that stress factor by embracing minimalism. But the upsides of a simpler lifestyle stretch much deeper than that. Here are some of the biggest benefits of minimalism:
1. Saving money
Buying less stuff means spending less money. Redundancy aside, sticking to Marie Kondo’s mantra of minimalism can prevent so many unneeded purchases, which will reward your wallet in the end. Think of all the clothes you’ve bought that you never wear, all the cute knick-knacks you wouldn’t even notice if they went missing, all those pairs of shoes collecting dust—that’s a lot of money just sitting there.
But there’s no need to fret. Instead, sell or donate whatever you don’t need. Then, promise yourself you’ll avoid throwing money at whatever catches your eye. Changing up your mindset as a shopper will benefit you mentally and financially in the long run.
2. Clarity of mind
That constant anxiety you feel that never seems to go away could be the result of a messy home. What many people never seem to recognize is that having too much clutter can be a source of stress for many people. Clutter can distract you from your daily tasks, make it more difficult to relax, and constantly send signals to your brain that your work is never done. Disorder in your home can bring about more stress than you may think.
The solution? Marie Kondo-ing your space. Getting rid of anything that doesn’t bring you joy and organizing your belongings into designated spaces can do wonders in eliminating that stress and clearing your mind.
3. Better health
Not only can too much clutter disrupt the brain, but it can also harm the body. Cluttered homes tend to harbor a lot of dust, which in turn leads to respiratory issues. And because all of that dust is hiding between crevices of furniture and piles of books, trying to clean these irritants can be quite a pain.
To prevent dust from invading your home, declutter. Getting rid of unneeded items prevents dust from collecting in hidden spots—the less stuff you have, the fewer places dust can invade—so harboring a minimal environment can prevent these aggressors from irritating your lungs. Plus, having less stuff around makes cleaning a breeze, too.
4. Helping the environment
Large homes, piles of clothing, tons of waste—the average American lifestyle can do quite some damage on the environment. Simplifying your wardrobe, abstaining from fast fashion culture, and living in smaller homes can reduce your eco footprint and help the planet out.
@lilyslensonlife wearing the Ibis top in blush
5. Better experiences
Filling your home with physical distractions can make it hard to ever want to leave, which can rob you of living your best life. If you reduce your home into just that—a place to rest and live—you can open yourself up to exploring the world around you and meeting new people. Plus, with all of that money you saved from not buying pointless possessions, traveling can become feasible. Being a minimalist frees you from the constraints of material possessions and can help you make the most out of your life.
And even in a time when leaving the house isn’t exactly an option, making your space as relaxing as possible can do wonders for your mental health. After all, would you rather spend your entire day in a house of horrors filled with clutter or a clean, organized, and peaceful home?
Overall, embracing minimalism can clear your mind and improve your health. Instead of being bogged down by material possessions that don’t offer you any joy, why not renovate your space with Marie Kondo’s mantra? After all, you’re going to be spending quite a bit of time at home, so take this free time to turn your home into the sanctuary you deserve.