How to Gain More Freedom with Minimalism
By: Anggun Bawi
Tags: Minimalism, Lifestyle, This Happened To Me, Advice and Opinion, Self

No More Wasting Money on Unnecessary Stuff

I used to be a big consumer of clothes. In my culture back home, there’s this idea of getting new clothes every Eid Mubarak and it doesn’t matter if you don’t need any at the moment — you have to buy it.

By the time I reached 20, I had too many clothes I literally didn’t need. I can even say most of them I never got to wear before. So at some point, I figured I had to get rid of them because they brought me nothing but anxiety and constant annoyance, and ever since I stick with my decision to only buy basic clothes that I really need.

If you are like me then it’s time to declutter your wardrobe (or kitchen counter) and make a room for something that brings joy in your daily life. Once you remove the junk you’ll begin to be more thoughtful in spending your money by the time you go shopping.

Your Life Is so Much Simpler

The more you own, the more you will spend your time on them. It’s just how it is. So it’s not surprising those who don’t own lots of things and only keep the ones that they truly need, tend to be happier.

Studies have also shown that by adapting the minimalist lifestyle, you’ll begin to analyze and purchase things that only bring value to your life. This also means you will be having more time to enjoy your life without worrying about unnecessary things that you need your attention.

The Convenience While Traveling

While it’s nice to have lots of options on the outfits when we are traveling, loading up our luggage and bring more than we need isn’t just sustainable in the long run. Especially when you like moving from one place to another frequently.

I started packing less stuff into my luggage when I had a hard time dragging my checked baggage at the airport on the way to Canada. We all like to think that we need all of the stuff we pack in the thought of “just in case” but I learned my lesson that we are doing just fine with bringing less when we travel.

Your Days Are Less Stressful

Ever wonder why those minimalist people have lots and lots of empty spaces in their houses? Because thinking about what to put and decorate it can be frustrating. When you have too many material things inside your home, your mind will be full of junk too because it doesn’t feel peaceful.

The same thing goes with how many Apps you installed on your phone. You can be mentally exhausted by checking Instagram then TikTok then moves to Youtube — every day.

So by having less, it helps us manage our time better and you don’t feel like you are always in a rush trying to catch up with everything. Trust me, I’ve been there and it’s definitely not a nice feeling to have.

You Become Better at Maintaining Relationships

Because let’s be honest, if you go to a cafe or a bar downtown especially, you’ll see that couples don’t spend their time together but instead, they’ll be busy on their phone checking their Instagram stories.

This habit can definitely result in a lack of connection in a relationship so eventually, you’ll no longer feel connected with your partner/friends.

By adopting this lifestyle you’ll become more aware of your time spent. Since now you know that consuming too many things will only take the joy away from you, it’s easier for you to focus on things that matter which are your relationships with your close ones.