Five Reasons to Consider Minimalism

Blazing yellow leaves shone against a bright, clear fall sky. I looked up and took a deep breathe, breathing in the beauty that this perfect autumn day had to offer.

“Mama, watch this!” my four year old called, snapping me back into the moment. I turned in time, watching her jump off a rock into an oversized mound of leaves she and her friend had just constructed. We were at a park with friends, but the leaf covered ground was more enticing to my daughter than slides and swings today.

“I’m thinking of starting a blog.” I said to my friend. She is a talented writer and so bouncing ideas off her seemed appropriate. “Part of it would be about minimalism.”

“Oh?” She said, while balancing the tired one year old in her arms. “I could never do that.”

But minimalism isn’t about getting rid of things. It’s the pursuit of less so to have more of what matters. My favorite definition of minimalism is:

“Minimalism is Intentionality…At it’s core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things that we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.” – Joshua Becker

So why might it be worth our time to consider experimenting with living with less?

Here are five reasons:

1. We have more energy

As moms, every item in our homes owns some part of our energy. Think about it. Those new pants that your cousin bought the baby – who will expend energy washing and folding them? The new doll I said “yes” to at Wal Mart to pacify the preschooler – who will be making sure it’s not lost at the park at the end of the day? Not that baby clothes and dolls are bad in themselves, but when the number of clothes and dolls pile up, excess mama energy is expended and overwhelm sets in.

Ask yourself, do I want to spend my energy maintaining this? Because if it’s in your house, you will.

2. Our relationships improve

  The one thing most needed to foster a relationship is time. Quality time. Time where our minds and bodies are able to focus on the person in front of us and engage. When we have less stuff competing for our attention, more of that attention can go toward these valued relationships. When our schedule is simple, we have more time at home to get to know those around us.

Could a slower schedule and simpler house mean more time with those you love?

3. We become contemplative

  Society’s “More is Better” mentality is a mindset to be fought. We buy on impulse and fill up our schedules because we’re supposed to be busy. But what is it that we really want more of? Do we stop and contemplate whether or not the things we are buying will add value to our home and our life?

4. We become a better decision maker

The more we make decisions, the better we get at it. Should I keep this shirt I haven’t worn in 8 months? Is the way I’m spending time in line with what I value most? Our “decision making muscle” gets stronger when we’re intentional about editing our lives. When we have a clearer vision of what matters it’s easier to weed out what doesn’t. We can then avoid the “decision fatigue” that comes not knowing how to choose what is essential. Simplicity lends to a stronger sense of self and more open ear what our gut trying to tell us.

5. Our values become more transparent

We are modeling values to our children constantly. What is it that we want our chidren to learn regarding our possessions? That owning more is important? That Amazon boxes should arrive weekly at our doorstep? Or that we are simply stewards of items and can remain detached from them? By giving our things to those in need we model solidarity and generousity. We live more simply so that others can simply live. By having less items in the home, order in the home becomes a reality. Children are able to manage (care for, put away) their toys because the amount in the toy box isn’t overwhelming. If we are at peace with having enough, won’t that be evident to our chidren?

I think it’s time we consider living with less. The benefits just may be worth it.