Why you should become a Minimalist {Ultimate Checklist}

Being a minimalist is much more than owning less stuff. This lifestyle is a state of mind, not a set of rules and this is why you should become a minimalist!

Minimalism Explained

Minimalists search for happiness not through things, but through life itself. It’s up to you to determine what is necessary and what is superfluous in your life.

Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.

Minimalism is not a radical lifestyle. Minimalism chooses a more straightforward route. 

Being a minimalist means you value yourself more than material things. It means making decisions based on what you need instead of getting everything you want. Minimalism is to take a look at every single piece of stuff and ask: ”does that add value to my life?” 

Being a minimalist can actually mean you have more of what you DO need; that you are able to enjoy everything you have, instead of being worried about what you DON’T have.

The minimalists believe in quality over quantity.It does not mean the things you buy are cheap. It means they are something you need, regardless of how much it costs.

Minimalism is another way of buying. Minimalism is not a movement that believes there’s something wrong with consumption. The problem is compulsory consumption, meaning buying stuff because that’s what you supposed to do.

Minimalism is somehow living a life with purpose and connecting more with people. Because, when something goes wrong, do we think of the stuff we have or don’t? Truly what we think about the time we wish we had spent with the people we love.

We are living our life depending on the space we have got rather than creating our space to fit into our lives. The average people use around only 40% of their space, and most of the families end-up with three dining tables just to fill in space.

Affordability, simplicity, sustainability is an option. Yet the current way of living is based on loans, which means living with worries.

Minimalism is not hippie poetry. It is, perhaps, about showing people that there’s a different way for us to live. Living genuinely without manipulation. And then, maybe, we will understand the real meaning of happiness.

“Imagine a life of less. Imagine an intentional life. It’s not an easy life, but it is a simple one. Stuff is not the answer. Love people and use things because the opposite never works.” Joshua Fields

What are the benefits of being a minimalist?

The minimalist philosophy believes that the less stuff, clutter, stress, debt, discontent, and distractions, the more time, meaning, relationships, growth, contribution, and contentment. Sounds good? 

Here are the benefits of minimalism we have learned along the way:

1. Eliminate our discontent, because we connect back to ourselves and realize your purpose.
2. Reclaim our time, because you no longer will have to worry about buying or tidying up too much.
3. Live in the moment, your worries will decrease dramatically so you can be more present.
4. Pursue our passions, this is simply another benefit of enjoying more free time.
5. Discover our missions, with mental freedom and by focusing on things you like you can create passion-driven projects.
6. Experience real freedom, of all the negative emotions that generally are attached to over-consumption behaviors.
7. Create more, consume less. As you dive into your passion you will realize how little you actually need.
8. Focus on our health, as you realize it is an important matter to ensure you live a long meaningful life.
9. Discover purpose in our lives. Hello, you will get to meet yourself, which you may actually enjoy. 
10. Grow as individuals, as minimalism brings big lessons into our lives.
11. Contribute beyond ourselves, as minimalism teaches you to connect and care for others.
12. Rid ourselves of excess stuff, which will allow us to lift off your shoulders the emotional luggage we carry with stuff.
13. Breathe again, as you will be letting go of things you were holding onto.
14. Refocus in the important activities you actually want to spend time on, as you will have both more time and energy 
15. Save money, decrease your bills and dependency on money to buy and maintain stuff

Share with us on the comments below what has been the benefit of minimalism that has changed your life the most?

Why we have so much tendency for consumption?

Western society has got used to the six-figure income. So why not get bigger houses and fill them with loads of stuff?

Advertising, of course, does a big job here. Not to forget about social media, movies, television, shows, blogs… Any public space is an illusion of how our life would look like: the perfect life.

Brands are trying to get across the message that you will look beautiful in this product.

But once bought, you’re like “Naaah! Too fat! But here’s another one you can buy”. 

What about shampoo advertising, which comes with the meaning that “people around will love you again”. Or the cars: “Now I am a competent person.” So the way to solve our problems is through consumption.

More stuff, more status?

Things that people need such as a home, study, or insurance are very costly. 

However, when it comes to electronics, fashion, and technology… these are incredibly cheap sometimes. Most of the stuff today comes from China, India and other underdeveloped countries. The reason is that they are cheaper. Often, this stuff is sold online, which ultimately means “more stuff opportunity” for everybody.”

On the other hand, it works well as a consolation: “I am very poor, but I have all this stuff.”

“The more the people are focused on those materialistic values, the more that they say that money, image, status, and possessions are important to them, the less happy they are. The more depressed and anxious they are”. Mark Miller, PhD. Professor of Media, Culture NYU at The True Cost documentary

Why did you become a minimalist? Comment below and share your experience with us!

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