Minimalism for Mind Body & Soul
Why We Practice Minimalism
The motivations behind our actions are as important as the actions themselves. They determine our ability to persevere, and to what extent we will succeed. So these are my top motivations for pursuing a minimalistic lifestyle and why I intend to keep living this way.
Minimalism for the mind
As a pregnant, working, mother of three, I find stress is a fact of life. Living minimally releases a lot of the anxiety that comes from mental clutter. A clear space is a clear mind. Here are a few other benefits or the brain:
Less decision fatigue
Less on my to-do list
A clear picture of my responsibilities (no junk drawers and overloaded closets weighing on the back of my mind. Well, not as many.)
Minimalism for the body
I mentioned stress earlier as a fact of life, and while it is, it should be managed. Stress that stays around for weeks or months can weaken the immune system and cause high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and even heart disease.
Decreasing meaningless stress can increase your overall health. Minimalism is an easy way to achieve that. You don't know until you have experienced the decluttering process yourself just how good it feels, and how much you needed it.
Minimalism for the soul
The most valuable benefit of minimalism is how much your time increases. It is surprising how much time it takes to shop for, save for, and maintain your physical items. Time is our most valuable resource, regardless of what you want to spend it on. I am a very spiritual person, and I highly value my time with my creator. I pursue minimalism to clear out what is insignificant, so I can make time for what is most significant.
That’s all well and good for you, but what about me?
So these are just a few reasons that I prefer this lifestyle. They are far from all the benefits that come out of it- but the most notable ones for me. Don't let the extreme minimalist aesthetic put you off of a practical way to live. Minimalism is about cutting out the excess, not the items you need, or even the items you want. It's about learning to bring in only what is beneficial to you. You may express yourself or gain some enjoyment from dressing and styling yourself. If that is the case, you need more items of clothing than someone like me. That's okay, better than okay, that's great! You have found what is fulfilling to you and have made space for that! Maybe you love to cook! I have a very minimal kitchen. I don't want to spend any more time than I have too in there. But if you love to cook and feel fulfilled, then this is not the area that you will feel a benefit from culling excessively. (Though you may find you enjoy doing what you do a little more with a bit less clutter.) Minimalism is not a religion; it’s just a tool. That's all, a tool to help you live your best life. So don't be a "minimalist." Be a confident person with a toolbox full of everything you need to live your best life.