The world today is filled with everything and anything you could want or need, and there is no shortage of advertisements telling you how badly you need them. Having more of everything is the path to peace and contentment. For a moment, though, let us entertain the thought that happiness and peace may actually be achieved with less.
Minimalism is about removing all that isn’t needed so that you can find joy in the simple things. We are going to explore this further and find ways to not only have happiness but also eliminate the need to compete and compare.
What Is Minimalism and How Can It Make Your Life Better?
Minimalism is a movement that can be defined as living a simple life with less—less obligations and fewer possessions. This philosophy asks us to figure out what is important to us when finding our bliss and to remove anything that may take away from that feeling.
Stripping away the unnecessary and letting go of the clutter does two things. Firstly, it allows us to hone in on the relationships and activities that we really enjoy and add value to our lives and secondly, it frees up the time we would usually take trying to figure that out.
Decluttering Your Home
This may seem overwhelming at first, especially if you have a tendency to hoard or very little impulse control but, once it’s done, it can be deeply satisfying and rewarding. As with anything new, always start small so your body and brain know it’s safe and won’t see it as a threat. It’s also a good idea to start in a room that has less meaning to you. It could be the kitchen, your lounge, the dining room, or even the garage or tool shed.
Once you have moved through the house, decide whether you wish to donate the items, sell them, or throw them away. After that is done, you can rearrange your house so that the items you have left over are grouped according to their purpose and how often you use them. This will help you keep a home that is orderly and stress-free while getting to use or look at things that truly mean something to you.
Tips On Living a More Minimalist Lifestyle
These tips may seem obvious at first, but you would be surprised at how putting simple practices into place can change the trajectory of your daily life (not to mention allow room for incredible and exciting things to happen too). Starting with your physical space first is a good idea. This gives you visual cues that you are making progress, even if it’s small.
Next, move on to your clothing items. A good gauge to see whether something needs to go is to ask yourself when was the last time you wore that item. If the item brings you joy (and you wear it often), keep it. Another way that helps you let go of clothes or shoes is by physically taking them as soon as possible and donating them to a shelter. Serving others is an excellent way of getting out of your head and will bring you peace and satisfaction.
Now it’s time to declutter your mental space, which needs quiet and solitude. You can unplug all your devices, take a walk, meditate, journal or even go to the gym. Find the thing that works for you and try to do it every day, even for a few minutes.
Create A Community
Nobody likes to do things alone, even if it’s good for them. Foster a connection with others who are embracing this movement, and who also wish to become free and stop the stress. Join forums or chats online that relate to minimalism, and talk to people who are actively living the lifestyle. You can also start spreading the word to those who are interested but nervous, and help them on their journey.
There are many success stories that can be found online about people who have become minimalists and, in the process, found their true purpose, paid off their debt and are now successful entrepreneurs living their dream lives.
Minimalism Can be Maximum Fun
Becoming a minimalist doesn’t mean you have to give up all the things that bring you joy and may be considered excessive. The idea behind the philosophy is to reduce over-consumption, which in turn reduces stress. It’s about quality over quantity.
If you enjoy watching films, playing games online, or even shopping, then do so. You can embrace the lifestyle even if you love to place a bet or two at a trustworthy casino site. In fact, this activity can be seen as one where quality and simplicity meet, as it’s easy to sign up to any one of the best online casinos and play a game that brings you joy, even with a small bankroll.
The aim of minimalism is to do these things purposefully and mindfully, truly taking in the moment and enjoying yourself (maybe even winning some cash), and not just for instant gratification or a need to consume content for the sake of it. You can have fun while eliminating anything stressful and still be entertained by life and all its wonders.
