What I’ve Learned One Year into Minimalism
Taking a quick break from this month’s topic on finances and “Make More Money May” to reflect on what I’ve learned one year into minimalism. My birthday (today!) marks the one year anniversary on a promise I made to myself to consume less. Consuming less involved less social media, news media, T.V., food products, cosmetics, toxic thoughts, clothes etc. The list could go on and on. I took the idea of minimalism and let it infiltrate my entire life.
What a year for personal development! If you want to improve yourself, focus on less. It will bring the most important and urgent needs to the surface. Here are the 10 best benefits of taking on a year of minimalism and the lessons I learned along the way.
1. I Became An Optimist
Once I cut out all the clutter (physically and mentally) I realized the world is a pretty amazing place. We still need to make progress, but I truly believe humans are capable of solving the world’s troubles and that we are continually taking positive action, even if we take a few steps backwards from time to time. I see more than ever people coming together for a cause, and being conscious of their decisions.
2. Minimalism Saved Money and Time
The more I researched my spending habits the more I realized I was overconsuming nearly everywhere. I’ve always been pretty good at saving, but I was still spending a lot of money on stuff I didn’t need, want, or care about. Cutting out spending money on things you don’t even want is so easy, and it saved me a ton of time. It has allowed us to pay off larger chunks of our student loan debt.
It also gave me permission to spend my money on things or ideas I find beneficial. For example, I made a few investments into my blog this year and was glad to pay for quality services. I also took suggestions from a personal stylist, which has been an investment into my capsule wardrobeand my own personal style.
It also allowed me to give more. I can now give to organizations and people that I believe in. I can take financial risks for personal development because I spend less money on stuff I don’t need. Not only that, but I waste less. I find ways to use up products I purchase before buying new. Even my trash takes up less space!
3. I Spend Way More Time in Nature
If I can, I’m outside every single day, and so is my daughter. It’s no excuse that we don’t have a yard. We have parks, and lovely bodies of water all around us here in the PNW.
21 Responses
I so agree with all of this! Especially the spending time in nature. When we don’t have stuff at home to distract – like clutter!! – we tend to get out more..and it creates of a more positive life overall!!
Exactly Tori! 🙂
Prioritarisation and creativity definitely!
Glad I’m not alone on this realization! 🙂
Slow clap for this! As a military family, minimalism is key to maintaining sanity. Couldn’t agree more!
Oh I bet! We have moved a lot in the last few years as well, which has kept our possessions limited. 🙂
I did a minimalism challenge a few years back and it changed my life. I agree with all of your points. It saved me so much money and I got outside to appreciate nature a whole lot more!
Hi Lecy,
Awesome! I love hearing that I’m late to the minimalist lifestyle!
Great lessons on the wonderful effects of simplifying your life! I wouldn’t call myself a “minimalist” just yet but I have started to simplify and declutter in my life, and I’m already seeing the benefits. Decision making is much easier and I have more time to focus on what truly matters. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sabrina,
You’re so right! Less decisions means more solutions!
I will never be a minimalist (in fact, my house has much more of a maximalist vibe going on!), but I do love many aspects of minimalism. I’ve worked hard on not keeping things around that don’t bring me joy, and that includes psychical objects, people in my life, AND unhappy memories, and it has definitely made a lot of difference! I’m so glad to hear you’re an optimist now. The world can really be a wonderful place!
Hi Indya,
I’m more of a minimalist-lite myself… I’m not living in a van yet! 🙂 Exactly the concepts are so helpful and truly lead to mindfulness in all aspects of life. Thanks for stopping by!
“Minimalism led me to the realization that you can be a leader even when you think no one is following.” I LOVE THIS. Your journey is so inspiring!
Love this post, Maria! It’s so interesting to see what you learned from a year of minimalism. Getting rid of extra clutter definitely gives you more time. I try to get rid of more and more things as time goes on and love how much easier it is to stay on top of everything. Taking photos of things helps me let go of them, too.
Hi Sara,
Taking a picture is a great tip I learned from Rose Lounsbury. I actually just let go of a bunch of my own baby stuff, and I took pictures of it to remember. My daughter is a toddler now and there will be no more daughters in our family. I realized that it was time to let those keepsakes go. 🙂 It actually felt good to clear it out.
Love this! I agree with letting go becoming easier!
Hi Vanessa,
Exactly – now I can accept and let go of emotions easier too. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the lessons you learned. You’ve inspired me to get in the attic and get rid of stuff I don’t need. 🙂
Hi Katherine,
Oh Good! Enjoy! You’ll be able to let go so much easier, and not just objects. 🙂
Great lessons to learn. I have tons of stuff that I’ve collected over the years. I know it’s time for me to clean it out but every time I do, I think of another reason to keep them. 🙂
Hi Kim,
Stuff has a way of holding onto us, especially if there is an emotion tied to it. Try to think if you truly love the item, or if there is a certain emotion holding you back. Perhaps it reminds you of someone etc. Another tip, is to simply take a picture of it, put it away in storage, and see if you miss the actual object. If not, it’s time to get rid of it.