Some minimalists define this “less is more” practice as owning 100 things or less. Others who enjoy a minimalist lifestyle don’t obey a strict rule that dictates exactly how many items they have, they simply limit the number of virtual and physical possessions they obtain, and practice this ideology on an ongoing basis. However you define minimalism, there are some definite benefits to the idea that you shouldn’t be defined by the number of things you have.
1 – Lower Stress Levels
When you own fewer possessions, you have less stress and anxiety. You don’t have to worry as much about maintaining, protecting, repairing, and insuring possessions when you own fewer of them.
2 – Your Wallet Gets Fatter
Monitor all of your purchases for 30 days. Strictly judge whether or not you need any and every one of them. You will notice more money in your bank account at the end of that month. When you own fewer things, which you generally have to buy, there is more money available for you to save, or channel into other directions.
3 – You Are Not Cleaning as Often
This is a benefit of minimalism that not a lot of people think about. The more things you own, the more things you have to clean, dust, wash and maintain.
4 – More Free Time
Researching, shopping, negotiating, travel time, and trial periods where you can test out a product for free all require your time. You treat yourself to a ton of free time when you are engaging in these activities less and less.
5 – You Feel Free
When you have a lot of stuff, you feel anchored to those possessions. People who practice a minimal lifestyle say that one of the first feelings they enjoy is a sense of freedom as if a weight has been taken from their back since they don’t have to worry about so many possessions.
6 – You Contribute to a Cleaner Environment
Yes, you help improve the health of the planet when you go minimal. Greedy consumption is leading to unsustainable earth practices. If everyone stopped making needless purchases tomorrow, the Earth would instantly be a healthier planet.
7 – You Leave More for Others
Acquiring possessions can sometimes be a greedy endeavor. Even if you are not adding “things” to your life for greedy reasons, you are, by the very nature of supply and demand, limiting how many things are available for other people. Minimalism means leaving more for others, including future generations.
