The minimalist lifestyle is gaining popularity both with Millennials and with older generations. It’s changing how we treat others around us, how we identify with the media, what we do in an effort to enrich our lives, and even how we focus on what moves us. What’s the meaning behind the movement? Let’s simplify it!
Minimalism Defined
At the heart of it all, becoming a minimalist means that you invest your time in what’s most important in your life. The problem with that definition is that we, as wonderfully complex and creative humans, tend to have a bit of trouble when it comes to identifying where we should place our energy and time.
Being a minimalist means that you need to be highly self-aware of the meanings behind each action you take. The more self-aware you are, the more you’ll understand the value of your time and possessions. Over time, you’ll become happier with less — and that makes life less stressful.
The Importance of Minimalism
The Earth is stuffed to the gills with humans. That means it’s more important than ever that we minimize our impact on it. That starts with being eco-friendly, but it also relates to the fact that societal obstacles demand that we use only our share and be adaptable while doing it, too.
Here’s an example. The debt we acquire by going to college means that we need to be more frugal so that we can pay it off. That often means minimizing what we spend.
If we want to chase and achieve our dreams, we need to focus, and that means having fewer distractions. Clutter is immensely distracting, so cutting back on it and minimizing possessions reduces those distractions, too.
Everywhere we go, we’re distracted. By possessions. By the internet. By smartphones. All of that can begin to have a serious impact on our personal lives and relationships.
As humans, we must make time to invest in loving ourselves and those around us. It’s the only way to cultivate our ability to be more empathetic, and it’s one of the biggest ways to be successful in life. If you cling to material things, that’s time you’re spending not paying attention to what matters most.
Letting It Go
In order to be successful, we need to let go of the things that are holding us back. Start your journey to minimalism with small steps each day.
Think about when you get ready for work in the morning. You might spend up to a half hour trying to decide what to wear. If you have less clutter in the closet, you will save time choosing an outfit.
Get rid of the stuff that you don’t absolutely need. Keep a few items you truly treasure. Your new minimal lifestyle will support your desire to learn and grow as a person. Bonus points: you’ll be happier, less stressed, and more focused, too.
