If you, like so many others, including myself, are looking for ways to improve your life, you could do a lot worse than embracing minimalism. Minimalism is a life philosophy that is designed around the idea of living as freely as you can. It is about releasing yourself of unnecessary burdens and living more simply. It is about decreasing attachment to things that no longer serve a purpose. It is a way of being able to experience the moment far better. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can help us move forward in our lives with more purpose and meaning. It is about making the most of the things in your life that are of value. By removing all the clutter, in the physical, mental and emotional spheres, you are free to enjoy your life and have the time to do the things that enrich your soul.
Our Possesions
You have probably heard the phrase that in the end, our possessions own us. This can be true in so many ways. Some people may have so much that all they do is worry about how to protect their things. Their cars, homes, jewellery. They may have security systems, insurance, etc., and they may distrust all who enter their home - forever staring into the security footage. What kind of life is that? There is a whole new level of paranoia associated with owning an abundance of things. Another way they can own you is that possessions in the home, for example, can trigger memories. Having an emotional attachment to things - some people have emotional attachments to mundane things like tin openers, for example - can have negative mental health effects, such as keeping us bound to the past and unable to move forward mentally and emotionally. Looking around your house and having constant reminders of the world before is extremely detrimental to your well-being. Even if these are good memories, they will cause you to regress mentally, and this is not going to help you live in the moment- the moment where we exist. Minimalism is about only possessing what you need to live happily. It is not about suffering with nothing. It is about purging the old to help you exist in the now. It is about trying to help you end your suffering.
Time
What is more important than time? The older you get, the more precious it becomes. Minimalism is a way of creating more time for yourself. In the home, minimal possessions mean that you will find it more difficult to lose things and waste time searching for them. It also means that you have purged all those unhealthy habits and stopped seeing those toxic people. Time doing unhealthy and toxic things is wasted time that actually decreases your lifespan. Toxic habits and people cause you to become depressed, among other things. There are no benefits to toxic things, and if it takes living a minimalist life for you to realise it, then it is worth it.
Money
If you do not have enough money, then you will suffer. Minimalism can help you live within your means by preventing you from overspending on things you do not need. We all waste money to a greater or lesser extent; minimalism is a way of helping you focus on what matters. It is a way of prioritising your life. It is a way to become free from the trappings of our consumerist culture.
Living with More Intentionality
You have purged all the negative and superfluous things from your life, so this means that you can live with more intent. Fewer possessions mean less distraction from the now, and the possessions that we choose to keep are all there for a positive reason that enriches our lives. The modern world seems to want to bombard and confuse us with an overabundance of stimuli. If you can create a home that is a sanctuary away from the madness, you will find that you can focus, relax and be more present.
Taking Back Control
Minimalism is about you taking back control of your life. Removing all distractions and useless things helps you stay in the now. You reduce all previous emotional triggers; you stop wasting your time on things and people you don't value anymore. This means you are less of a victim of the modern world. You stop kneeling before the altar of consumerism and fitting in with society. You become a purer version of yourself with passion and intent that lifts your soul and raises your spirits. You begin making better decisions for your well-being. Minimalism can help you see what really matters and take back control of your life and make it your own.
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