Making Room For Joy: Minimalism Explained In A 3 Minute Digestible Read

Escape From Excesses

Worldwide clothing consumption is 400% higher than two decades ago. We live in the age of fast fashion. An industry where clothes grow old quickly. An industry where the consumer is constantly encouraged to replace the wardrobe. An industry that adds stress to our lives.

The biggest problem is that we’ve come to unconsciously assign meaning to meaningless belongings. And to what cost? Our health? Relationships? Personal growth? For what? Just to keep up with the Joneses? Until when?

When are we going to add meaning to our lives instead of material possessions? When are we going to finally pause distractions instead of pausing ourselves from pursuing passions? When are we going to start living deliberately?

Minimalism offers an escape from excesses. It can help us find freedom. Freedom from the overwhelming consumer culture that has gripped society. Freedom to make deliberate choices about what we want in our lives, and what we can dispense with.

Let’s dive into it.

1. What Is Minimalism?

To put it simply, minimalism is all about getting rid of what you don’t need. For example, those clothes that you never wear but that sit in your wardrobe. Other than consuming physical space, they also consume mental one whenever you run into them. Living lightly is easier and you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice quality, only quantity.

2. Is Minimalism Strict?

No! It all depends on what you consciously find valuable and what you don’t. You can have a career, five children, a wife, a house, two cars, and basically anything you can think of. What matters is your approach. Ask yourself what exactly helps you live with purpose. Then just eliminate unnecessary possessions and distractions. It’s all about making your life easier not more complicated.

3. Is Minimalism Right For You?

According to Carver, you might intuitively be a minimalist if you

a) have any empty drawers in your room.

b) are debt-free or are striving to be

c) feel like shopping makes you slightly uncomfortable

d) would rather go to the dentist than shopping

e) keep on giving your stuff away

f) have free time or find time to relax during the week

g) like to keep things tidy

h) ever used a car share service

i) avoid shopping for souvenirs when traveling

j) spend time thinking about how to make your life easier

4. What Are The Benefits?

4.1 More Physical Space

Let’s start with the most obvious one. Rid yourself of all unnecessary possessions and you get more physical space. First, this makes cleaning and maintenance a piece of cake.

Second, it’s easier to find something you are looking for. You don’t have to search for the needle in the haystack anymore. Less clutter, more space. Not to mention it makes everything more visually appealing!

4.2 More Mental Space

The physical space you gain by removing the clutter also creates more mental space. They say cleaning up your room means cleaning your mind. It’s true! Minimalist home space is less stressful. In fact, according to interior designers, spaciousness does elevate your mood.

Additionally, you can also minimise engaging in activities that don’t bring you joy. Too often we oblige instead of indulging ourselves. There is more opportunity to rest than we sometimes acknowledge.

4.3 More Freedom

The magical thing that comes with minimalism is a sense of freedom. You will soon realise how tired the multitude of material possessions made you feel. You do not depend on objects!

Moreover, keeping away from distractions allows you to be more focused. No longer do you feel the need to play the comparison game with the Joneses, no longer do you allow culture to manipulate you, no longer do you crave what you don’t need.

4.4 More Disposable Income

A minimalistic lifestyle allows you to have more disposable income at hand because you spend less. If you cut your expenses and debt to the minimum, savings shall grow. You will have higher chances to reach financial freedom.

Additionally, you can focus on quality rather than quantity. Better to have a great shirt that you love wearing every time than own three you never feel like putting on.

Takeaway

As you’ve seen, minimalism doesn’t require you to become a monk or to sell your house and live in a cave. It is a concept that leaves you with plenty of options to approach your life.

Here’s your minimal takeaway: Make room for joy!