3 Simple Minimalism Principles That Will Make Your Life Better

When I first heard about minimalism, I immediately thought that it wasn’t for me. I did not know much about it, and I thought of it as some crazy idea of trying to survive while owning only 10 things.

I imagined it to be a challenge rather than a lifestyle. I assumed that to become a minimalist, you have to throw away everything you love, set a strict number of items you can own, and force yourself to live that way.

I did not know that minimalism is a way of living and that it can improve your life in so many ways.

The beauty of minimalism is that it can be different for everyone. There are no strict rules. You decide what to get rid of and what to keep, and it’s up to you how much you own. You don’t have to get rid of anything you don’t want to lose, and you don’t need any drastic changes to feel the benefits of this lifestyle.

If you’re curious about minimalism, there are simple principles that don’t require any big actions or decisions, but that will allow you to quickly see the perks of it.

1. Mindful buying

Minimalism is not just about getting rid of things. Its also about buying or not buying them.

One of the many perks of minimalism is that it gives you the ability to think clearer.

We don’t notice how much we are affected by our possessions and how they influence how we think and how much more stuff we buy. Buying things you don’t need becomes second nature when you already own a ton of things that you don’t use and don’t need.

On top of that, we live in times when consumerism is thriving and it is a norm in our society to value people based on how much they own. Our need for approval forces us to keep up with everyone around us, and we end up buying things just for the sake of having them.

We can’t buy happiness.

There are so many things in life that are worth more than all the money in the world. And those things are not physical. You can’t touch them, and you certainly can’t buy them.

Why you might want to try it

Treating yourself by buying things is not going to make you happy. It might cause a quick dopamine rush, but that won’t last for long. And you will end up with one more thing lying around the house, stealing your energy and focus.

Stepping into minimalism can help you see your actions in a new light and start thinking twice before getting something you might not need.

There are many benefits to not buying things you don’t need:

Saving money. There a lot of things that you can spend your money on instead of buying stuff you don’t need, like traveling, hanging out with friends, helping others, and many more.

Saving space. If your home is constantly messy despite your cleaning every week, this might be because you have too much stuff. Don’t add to the collection of useless things. Add to the amount of quality time you can spend with your friends and family instead of cleaning up and putting things in places.

Saving time. Everything we own requires some maintenance. Things might require charging, cleaning, etc. Taking care of your possessions can steal a lot of our time. They also contribute to the amount of time you spend looking for things or cleaning your house.

How to do it

Mindful buying, just like minimalism, is about knowing the purpose of things. It’s about knowing exactly why you’re getting something and making sure that the purchase is worth spending your money on.

Any purchase is an investment. When we’re buying things, we are investing our money, time, and energy in them. Ensure that the purchase you want to make will bring value to your life and make it better in some way. Control your impulses and think twice before getting anything.

Minimalism is not just about restricting yourself in your purchases. It is also about buying smart. It’s about investing in more expensive, better quality items that would last longer and save you money in the long term.

2. Getting rid of things you don’t need

I used to love cleaning up before I noticed that most of the time, I was doing the same thing over and over again.

I was trying to organize the closet that would spit out clothes every time I opened it, and I realized that the only time I touched any of the clothes in it was when I was trying to organize it once a month.

I did not wear any of those things for years, yet I still kept them.

There were many reasons why I was holding on to them. Some were associated with some good memories. Some felt too expensive to throw out, and some did not fit me anymore, but I hoped that one day they would.

I’ve decided to clean out everything from that closet, and when I did, I couldn’t stop myself.

Why you might want to try it

The main reason for me to get rid of the things I no longer used was to organize my flat and to save time cleaning. But I also noticed some other benefits.

Getting rid of things you don’t need helps you appreciate what you have more. You get used to the thought that everything you own has its purpose. There is no clutter, no noise, only the things that make your life easier. This makes your life more organized and helps you feel like you’re finally in charge of it.

How to do it

To get rid of unnecessary, you have to be completely honest with yourself and answer some questions to help you make the right decision.

• Does this item bring value to my life?
• Does it make my life easier?
• Is it in good condition?
• When was the last time I used it?
• When will I use this next time?

After you’ve decided what to get rid of, its time to do just that, don’t postpone it; otherwise, you’ll end up keeping things for much longer than you wanted to.

You don’t have to throw everything away. In fact, I believe you should try not to do that. The best way to get rid of things is to find a new home for them. If you don’t need something, it does not mean that no one else would want it. Giving your possessions a second life is not only environmentally friendly, but it also might help someone save money or support someone in need.

Sure there might be more expensive things that you will want to sell, and there is nothing wrong with that. But please make sure to think twice before spending the money you get from the sale on more things you don’t need.

3. Choosing experiences over things

In the hunt for the latest new gadgets and the most trendy clothes, it's easy to forget about the things that matter the most.

We spend a great portion of our time working. Sure, if you’re lucky, work is not only about money. But a lot of us work only to maintain the lifestyle that we are used to.

We spend our time and energy working hard only to buy things that don’t bring a lot of value into our lives and don’t make us happy.

Why you might want to try it

Imagine yourself being old and looking back on your life.

It is not likely that you will remember that one time you bought the new iPhone the day when it came out or the time you spent all of your savings on a designer bag.

You will remember the time you saw a beautiful sunset with a friend or that road trip you took with your best friend when you were seventeen.

Emotions and experiences are worth way more than things.

Once you step away from the hunt for the material things, you’ll start seeing more value in simple pleasures like laughing with your friends or going for a walk with your better half.

How to do it

Compare your happiest moments that had nothing to do with material things and the times you bought some of the most expensive things you own. Seems wrong to compare them, right?

Minimalist comes with the power of starting to look at things differently. When you have less, you realize that you don’t really need that much.

Next time before spending your savings on trendy things, try to check your bucket list instead and see what you can ‘buy’ from it. I’m sure there are no iPhones in there.

Invest your time and money in doing things that bring you real happiness that doesn’t just last for a couple of days.

Final thought

I truly believe that minimalism is for everyone. What makes me so sure is that it can take many different shapes and become what you want it to be.

Especially during this time, everyone can benefit from simplifying their life in some way, whether it’s cleaning out your closet, garage, or your computer. Our lives are already so bombarded with digital and mental clutter that we see any excess of stuff as a norm.

Free yourself from the unnecessary and see what can take its place!

Disclaimer: The original version of this story was published on another platform. Link to the original version - https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/3-simple-minimalism-principles-that-will-elevate-your-life-452413b5ba9c