Guest Post: Why Minimize?

(Guest Post: Ryan Franklin)

The Benefits of Minimizing What You Own

Minimizing what you own doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of everything. It just means getting rid of excess stuff, making smarter purchasing decisions, and embracing a lifestyle of increased simplicity. If you’ve decided to become more of a minimalist when it comes to acquiring and holding onto things for your home, you’ve made a wise decision. Here are some of the many benefits of making this lifestyle change:

1. You’ll have to clean less often – The fewer things you own, the less time you’ll have to spend organizing those things. Since a large part of the cleaning most people do involves organizing things and putting those things in a proper place, this is a huge advantage. Only owning what’s essential also cuts down on the amount of time you’ll need to spend dusting things.

2.  You’ll spend less money – Taking a minimalist approach means that you buy things less frivolously. You only buy what you need, so you end up saving all the money you would have spent buying excess, non-essential things.

3. You’ll have more space – When you minimize what you own, you have more space in your home for living. Getting rid of that old loveseat and sticking to one sofa in your living room will give the kids some extra space to sit on the floor and play. Clearing everything off your kitchen counters will give you some extra space to cook. Getting rid of all the extra pillows on your bed will give you some extra space to sleep. Having more space in your home will help you feel liberated to do what you like.

4. You’ll have more time – Going out to the store regularly to pick out new things for your home takes time. Spring cleaning each year and getting rid of all the things you bought but don’t really use also takes time. You can spend the time you don’t spend shopping, organizing, and de-cluttering doing things you enjoy and enriching your life.

5. You’ll have peace of mind – Ask anyone who’s embraced a more minimalistic lifestyle, and they’ll tell you that they have a better outlook on life. The less you own, the fewer distractions there will be in your life. So, you can focus less on taking care of things and focus more on taking care of yourself and your loved ones.

Author’s Bio: Ryan Franklin is a home organizer and guest blogger who writes about minimalism, organization, simplifying before relocation, and when to hire cross country movers.