Minimalism
8 Benefits and Advantages of Minimalism as a Lifestyle.
First of all, we will ask you a question. Do you feel like you have too many things and that sometimes it causes you unease or stress?
Even though we have been sold the idea since we were little that having more will make us feel much better, many people have realized that, on the contrary, it causes more chaos both internally and externally and takes away both energy and time.
Until recently, minimalism was thought to be just a discipline related to decoration and architecture, and in part, yes, it is now in vogue, and if you look on social media, it seems that being minimalist is simply decorating your house in a Nordic style.
But this is not the case; it turns out that it doesn’t only apply to decoration, it is also a philosophy of life.
Let’s read about how minimalism is a lifestyle and the 8 benefits that come from practicing this way of life.
What is minimalism?
Starting with the fundamentals according to the RAE, minimalism is:
“The aesthetic and intellectual trend that seeks the expression of the essential by eliminating the superfluous.”
The aesthetic aspect is due to its impact on what is fashionable and what many people focus on. But this is not exactly the focus of minimalism as a lifestyle, or at least sometimes it is just a simple consequence.
Essentially, minimalism is about prioritizing the essential and getting rid of the superfluous. Interesting, isn’t it?
And this is not at all the same as having the least possible. Since, what is that limit called viable? And viable for whom? Who decides what is essential?
And even less to compete or compare to see who lives with less. For each person, what is essential will always be something different; this includes, at certain moments for the same person, depending on their stages in life, what is considered fundamental can change.
An example of this is that for a drawing student, it may be essential to have sheets and pencils of different sizes, while for a mother, it may be more than important to have a stroller for her baby.
So the main thing at this point is not that you become the supreme authority on minimalism. It’s about becoming aware of what is essential for us at this moment and freeing ourselves from everything else that neither serves nor helps us.
And this is not only based on material things, but also on reflecting on our schedule, mobile applications, or even our own thoughts.
How is minimalism understood in our lives?
Naturally, you will always find people who have a tendency towards minimalism, even if you didn’t know there was an appropriate name for it.
An example of this is that there are teenagers who demonstrate it by feeling much more comfortable having their work desk well-organized and uncluttered. Only with what is required for the task they are performing.
And the same goes for clothes or when setting the table: having only what is necessary and well-organized has always been something natural for me and unconsciously made me feel more at peace.
Not only does it clear the physical space, but it also helps to clear the mind, removing distractions and eliminating nearby chaos.
Minimalism is embracing the premise in life that less is more, therefore living with less in order to live better.
This is also closely related to applying the 5Rs of sustainability.
It’s simply having just what you need, prioritizing quality over quantity, and taking care of it to extend its lifespan.
Like everything in life, this is a period; in some stages, you will appear more organized, and in others, with a more pronounced presence of chaos. But what is really important is to become aware and return to the center.
This is simply following common sense, understanding what is most important and truly needed, and letting go of what is not.
But of course, like everything, when you’ve never done it before, you might not know where to start minimizing and organizing, to return to what is a priority in your environment.
So it can be really interesting to have some tools to guide you prudently in this process.
8 benefits and advantages of practicing minimalism.
The benefits and virtues of the minimalist lifestyle are very broad and varied, and not just material. Some of them we will describe here:
1.-It helps to keep the house much cleaner, since with fewer things and always organized, it is much easier to clean and maintain harmony and balance in the house.
2.-It helps with concentration; when we are performing a task, if the space is clear and we only have what is absolutely necessary to do that task, we will have fewer distractions and it will be much easier to stay focused on the matter at hand.
3.-You save money, although it is not its purpose, it is indeed a consequence of minimalism, as you buy much less and less frequently, since when you acquire quality items and
You take care of things, they last much longer, you don’t get carried away by impulses or extra expenses if it’s not what you need, so you decide not to accumulate.
4.-You take care of the environment by consuming less, using many fewer resources. And if, in addition, what you consume respects the planet, like natural cleaning products, eco-friendly cosmetics, or those made by you, then even better.
5.-You have much more energy; all those decisions you think are small each day, like what clothes to wear, finding a pen that works in the tangle of pens in a drawer, where I have stored the phone charger, are draining your energy. With minimalism, you can use that energy for tasks that are much more important in your life.
6.-Less stress, spaces that are clear and well-organized generate much more calm and less noise for the mind.
Moreover, you can benefit, among other things, from the inner peace that comes from keeping your mind free from the traditional mental clutter.
7.-More time and freedom, the more things you have at home, the more time and energy you spend taking care of them.
You also avoid wasting time searching for something in a drawer full of old junk or a closet full of clothes you probably no longer use, or the time spent shopping.
8.-Recover the social relationships of interdependence; society today has convinced us that each family/household must have its own things, from a drill to a car, and even Wi-Fi.
Even if you use it only once a week, or perhaps once a year. What is truly important in this humanity is to be independent and not need anyone.
Wouldn’t it be a bit more logical to connect with other families to share these types of resources?
An example of this is that in other countries there are buildings that have laundry rooms for the entire building, and the time is divided among each family.
Minimalist habits.
These are the minimalist habits you can start practicing today.
1.-Sleep at least 8 hours
2.-Knowing how to say no.
3.-Connect with nature.
4.-Be selective with the people around you.
5.-Practice gratitude
6.-Live in a much more conscious way
It’s hard to find a minimalist without a planner in hand. Getting organized is a way of living seriously, making space and generating the same.
Does this minimalism inspire you to try living with less? Where would you start simplifying your life?
Therefore, being a minimalist means being able to live with less. It is a very easy concept to remember but it is not really made for everyone.
Although you will hardly find a person who practices this type of philosophy and misses consumerism or their way of being before becoming a minimalist.