A true lifestyle where “less is more” reigns supreme, minimalism is gaining ground in all areas of our lives. Cultivated long ago by the Japanese, this movement aims to part with the superfluous to keep only the essential. And for many years now, I’ve been convinced of the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle focused on simplicity.

While making do with little is worthwhile, it’s a change that can take time, and it’s a discipline that can be learned. In this article, I explain how and why I choose to apply minimalism to my daily life.

LIVING WITH A FEW THINGS FOR LESS STRESS
For a long time, I tried to calm my existential anxieties and stress by shopping and buying things I never actually used. Delusionally, I thought that “having more” would help me “be better”. But the opposite was true.

When I opened my wardrobe, I felt as if my clothes were going to jump down my throat because there were so many of them. So it was high time to make a radical selection. It was after reading Marie Kondo’s book that I got down to it for good. Today, I know exactly what clothes I own and I don’t want any more. In the morning, I no longer ask myself 10 times, “What am I going to wear today? I’m much more serene when faced with a limited number of pieces. It’s very easy to choose an outfit when the clothes are neatly arranged and folded, and when they work well together.

When it comes to decorating my home, living in a minimalist, visually uncluttered space is much more relaxing too. It’s restful for my eyes, but also for my mind. I feel calmer and, incidentally, I’m no longer afraid of unexpected visitors…

Everyday minimalism also applies in immaterial ways. For example, the fact that I’ve lightened my diary and eliminated certain activities that were no longer necessary, means I’m more serene and can devote this time to my loved ones or to activities that are more important to me today. The fewer tasks I have to manage, the more zen I am. Because I feel more available and freer!

Another example: Saving time managing laundry and household chores also helps me feel more serene. It’s a very pleasant side effect.

INTRODUCING MINIMALISM FOR A SIMPLER LIFE
After the first decluttering of my home, I was proud of myself. I thought I’d done it and was set for life. But no! I’m still decluttering regularly. When you live in a house with several people, it’s important to keep control of what comes into your home so you don’t get cluttered up again.

I’ve been clearing out my house, my cupboards and my drawers, and lightening my mind at the same time. In fact, from time to time, I share pictures of everything I’m getting rid of with my friends.This little appointment motivates me in the pursuit of my goal: to live minimalism on a daily basis.

Today, I have no trouble letting go of my material possessions. I feel much lighter because I’m no longer shackled by the objects I’ve amassed over the course of my “old” life. That’s one of the reasons why I’m sharing with you what drives me to adopt a minimalist lifestyle.

BECOMING A MINIMALIST TO SAVE TIME
It’s quite logical, and I’ve already talked about it in the 10 good reasons to declutter. Indeed, putting things away and cleaning is much quicker (and easier) since my wardrobes, shelves and other storage surfaces have been cleared. I have fewer clothes to wash, fold or iron and put away, which also means I don’t have to spend hours pondering my wardrobe or looking for THE T-shirt I’ve decided to wear today.

While the wardrobe example is fairly classic, it applies to many other objects: household appliances that we use once a year, dishes that multiply, beauty products started and never finished, books that bend the shelves, decorative objects that gather dust, toys, CDs and DVDs… All these objects take up time. Maintenance time, cleaning time and so on.

When you don’t need much, you save a lot of time!

What’s more, by deciding to lighten up my home, I don’t really need or want to go shopping anymore. What’s the point? Bringing back things I don’t really need? Wasting my time hesitating over the immense choice on offer in the stores?

When it comes to weekly shopping, it’s much the same thing. Wandering the aisles of a big supermarket for 1 hour and filling a cart doesn’t make sense to me anymore. I prefer to shop in small local stores in my village. It’s so much quicker and friendlier.

Cultivating simplicity for greater freedom
For me, living with little also means being freer. Before, all the things I owned chained me to the past and prevented me from seeing life differently. And yet, I felt happy. But now I’ve realized that this feeling can be even stronger and take me further, thanks to the freedom that minimalism gives me on a daily basis.

LIVING WITH LITTLE ALSO MEANS BEING FREER.
I feel free to make my own choices, free to seize an opportunity or not. I also feel freer in my movements, because I know I can go just about anywhere at a moment’s notice. If I had to leave for the other side of the world tomorrow morning, I wouldn’t feel held back by purely material considerations. Rather, it’s the need to stay close to those I love that would make me hesitate.

SETTLING FOR THE ESSENTIALS TO SAVE MORE MONEY
The fact that I make do with very little saves me money. Not a lot, but enough that I’m no longer in the red at the end of the month. I buy what I need. And that’s it!

What’s certain is that the less I own, the less I need to own. I no longer have frenzied shopping urges. I no longer need to buy dozens of boxes to store my things. As a result, I spend much less than I used to. When I have to make a purchase, I do a little market research first. I compare and I don’t jump at the “great offer” I can’t miss.

And if I’d had debts, I could probably have started paying them off in whole or in part.

CONSUMING LESS FOR A GREENER PLANET
The less I consume and the less I buy, the more I’m doing the planet a favor and reducing my ecological footprint. Today’s consumption of all kinds of products has become completely senseless. Advertising encourages us to buy everything and its opposite, wasting tons of food and using tons of packaging. Our planet’s resources are not infinite!

That’s why I limit my purchases as much as possible, both in terms of household shopping and other expenses. At present, I’m always trying to find an alternative to having to carry an extra item. I think about doing without it, using another object, borrowing from someone, renting, etc. Sometimes it’s a real challenge, and I’m always looking for an alternative. Sometimes it’s a real challenge, and you have to be a bit creative… But what a satisfaction afterwards!

Admittedly, in a period of great de-cluttering, I still generate far too much waste for my taste. I think a lot about the problem of decluttering without polluting our beautiful planet. I know that there are ways of reducing this through certain actions. My motto is “I give a lot, I sell sometimes, I throw away as little as possible”. But I don’t think that’s enough. The ideal is to adopt a minimalist lifestyle before you become cluttered!

APPLYING MINIMALISM TO EVERYDAY LIFE FOR GREATER PLEASURE
The more I move towards minimalism, the more I become aware of life’s little and big pleasures, and the more I learn to savor them: a piece of chocolate, a ray of sunshine, a walk in nature, an afternoon with the family, my children’s smiles and kisses…

THE MORE I PROGRESS TOWARDS MINIMALISM, THE MORE I SAVOR MY LIFE!
All the benefits I’ve noticed are intrinsically linked. When I have more time, I’m less stressed. When I feel freer, I also feel more zen, and vice versa. Finally, when I’m freer, I’m also closer to my values and therefore happier. It’s the magic of this virtuous circle that keeps me on my path towards minimalism, far more than any consumer item.

In conclusion, the benefits of minimalism in everyday life are obvious. Before I became a convinced minimalist, I couldn’t imagine all the benefits I would derive from it. Today, I’m so convinced by this harmonious way of life that I try to pass on its values. I’m delighted to see that consciences are gradually awakening to make way for a generation that is more respectful of the balance of things. What are the benefits of minimalism for you?