Minimalism

Introduction

Minimalism is often thought of as an aesthetic style, but if used more as a practical guide then it can be used as a mental health tool as well as a driver to reduce overconsumption, save money, and retain a healthy independence from excessive junk that can make socializing or evacuation more difficult or stressful.

Overconsumption

Minimalism is a useful solution to overconsumption. It can be a slow, and mindful process, or a faster, more drastic one depending on your situation, needs, and resources.

Environmental Impacts Affect Our Health

This has a variety of impacts. First is that overproduction and over consumption is polluting our planet, and these pollutants as well as their effects are impacting our mental health.

Clutter Increases Cortisol

This hormone is a stress hormone, which can lead to further problems including anxiety  and overwhelm. When overwhelm sets in, we can freeze creating a spiral where things are collected, but not cleaned out (sometimes even after those things become health hazards).

Overconsumption Creates Poverty

People often turn to debt to keep up with impulsive buying, and this in turn can negatively impact a person's entire financial situation.

Benefits of Minimalism

Decluttering

Decluttering reduce the amount of money, time, and stress of not being able to find important items or buying replacements for things you already own. Decluttering makes keeping your living space much simpler, which is especially important for anyone with disabilities, limited time, limited energy, or those who suffer from environmental allergies or asthma.

There are many methods to decluttering, minimizing, or purging, but a core value that can help guide you on your journey is to assess what is "enough" for you (plus those you live with if anyone), and your current needs. Tidying experts recommend against owning things "for your ideal self" since plans and circumstances always change. Items can become emotionally "toxic" if accumulated despite life taking other paths, and those times go unused.

Many people with mental, physical, time, or money constraints have found that switching to a minimalistic approach to home maintenance and consumerism helps make life, finances, and health/mental health much easier to manage. Life becomes more enjoyable as their journey leads to less overwhelm, more spending money, and more free time to enjoy their lives. 

Mental Health

Studies have found that cluttered and overwhelming spaces can increase stress, cause or worsen depression, increase the struggles of people suffering from OCD, ADHD, and similar disorders.

ADHD

Depression

Stress


Better Concentration

Reduced Work Load

Social Impacts

Some people have mentioned that they became less anxious about having guests or service people drop by. Others including myself have felt more liberated to go out and spend time enjoying the outside, volunteering, and making friends.

Reduced Consumption

Improved Finances

We automatically save money when we aren't spending on excessive things. This money can be put into more useful places such as education, retirement, healthcare, healthier foods, family or personal holidays, environmental projects, sustainable home upgrades, or donating to charities.

Useful Concepts

Enough

While working out how to eliminate and avoid clutter, it is helpful to understand what to keep vs throw/sell/donate. Click the button beneath to learn what
"Enough" can mean depending on a person or community's situation.

How to Stop Bringing Clutter Into Your Home

13:54 minute video

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