Why Less Is More | The Minimalist Lifestyle

Who knew we could live without meeting our friends for so long? 

Who knew we could live without ordering in our favorite dishes? 

Who knew we could manage all the household chores on our own or cook so many different cuisines? 

The lockdown taught us that we are capable of living without so many things we couldn’t imagine our life without. It also made us push our boundaries and improve our skill sets, whether it was painting, baking, or just surviving through these tough times. While we’re all slowly growing accustomed to the new normalcy, it’s a good idea to choose a lifestyle that’s economical, especially since most of us never had the time or the motivation to do it. If you’ve been keen on exploring a lifestyle that’ll make your life easier, now is the perfect time to start living a minimalistic life. 

What is minimalism?

Minimalism is all about living with things that are essential in your day-to-day lives, the things that you put to use on a regular basis. 

There is a common misconception that minimalism is about living with fewer things or owning only the basics. Well, that’s not true. Yes, when you adopt a minimalistic life, you declutter your home. But, the main aim isn’t to get rid of things as much as it is to recognize the things that you absolutely need, to lead a comfortable life. 

There is no right or wrong way to lead a minimalist lifestyle. There are no hard and fast rules for minimalism. The result of minimalism has to be a happier, calmer, and focused mind.

Why should I adopt the minimalist lifestyle?

This may seem like a fad that’ll probably fade away, but a lot of people have made minimalism a way of life, and for them, there is no turning back. There are plenty of reasons why you should consider adopting the minimalist lifestyle:

1. You’ll be saving a lot of money that you’d probably end up spending on unnecessary items otherwise. 
2. You start practicing conscious consumption, which will help you contribute towards a cleaner and greener environment.
3. When you have only the bare essentials at home, you save space.
4. That, in turn, will need lesser maintenance, and you’ll end up saving more time.
5. There won’t be unnecessary clutter to distract you. Hence, you’ll have better clarity of mind and thoughts.

But why now? 

There is no better time than now to adopt a minimalist lifestyle. The lockdown has already warmed us up to the idea of living with only the things that are essential to us. All we have to do now is to carry that one with only a few minor changes. You have more time on your hands to go through everything you own and declutter. 

Earlier, we made reasons saying we don’t have the time to use certain things like that guitar that’s covered in dust or that waffle maker you have at home. But, if you still haven’t used it in the last three months, you know you won’t ever use it. Not just that, with the chaos going around the world, keeping your space neat and clutter-free will do wonders for your mental health, and at times like these, anything that can help improve our mental health is welcome. 

Where do I start? 

Decluttering your entire home can be overwhelming. The best way to start is by tackling one area at a time. Be it a shelf, a wardrobe, or a desk. 

• Segregate everything you own into either the ‘keep’ pile or the ‘discard’ pile. 
• Once you have decluttered your house, practice conscious consumption. Every time you want to buy something, ask yourself if you really need it. 
• If you find it difficult to discard something because you think you may use it someday, put it in a ‘maybe’ pile. After three months, if you haven’t used any of those things, discard it. Like Marie Kondo says, “Discard everything that does not spark joy.”
• Invest in a few quality items that will last you a long time rather than buying several mediocre items that won’t stand the time. 
• Dedicate a specific place for every single item you own. This will help you stay organized in the long run. 

Also read: Home Organizing Ideas, The KonMari Way

This will set you up for a smooth transition towards a minimalist lifestyle. Remember, don’t do it because it’s a fad or because minimalist themed houses look appealing. Do it with an intention in mind, whether you want to start saving money, want a more organized home, or want to be environmentally conscious. It doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Do it your way and enjoy the process. Cheers!