Minimalism is more than just a trend these days. While more people are practicing it, it’s not an excuse to get rid of things without purpose. Rather, multiple mental health benefits come with a minimalist lifestyle. It can help you feel more confident, reduce stress, and even boost feelings of happiness.
You can also use minimalism to reach your goals.
If you’re not sure how minimalist practices can help, think about the goals you’ve been struggling to reach. What’s been blocking you from really achieving them? Maybe it’s extra stress in your life or a lack of motivation and productivity. Depending on how you use minimalist practices, you can combat those roadblocks and accomplish the things you really want to do. Plus, you may find a happier, more relaxing lifestyle along the way.
Let’s take a look at how minimalism can help you to make more conscious goals, and how developing minimalistic habits can make them easier to reach.
Being Conscious With Your Goals
If you’ve tried setting goals before, you might’ve created a long list of things you want to achieve. But, practicing minimalism doesn’t just mean getting rid of tangible items. It can also help you to “declutter” your goals. Instead of trying to accomplish everything on a list, choose two or three goals that mean the most to you. That will instantly take away a mountain of stress and allow you to put more focus and energy on those things.
From there, think about why you want to accomplish those goals. A minimalistic process for each goal should include ideas like:
- Understanding your motivation behind them
- Focusing on the process
- Developing daily habits
When you choose to put your attention on the process instead of the outcome, it’ll be easier to develop those habits that can change your life. People try to build habits all the time, but without making them deliberate and understanding what meaning they’re really bringing, it’s harder to stick with them. Taking a minimalistic approach to goal-setting will help you find more meaning in those habits, making it easier to master them in your daily routine.
Achieving Goals Anywhere
If you’re not sure how the connection between minimalism and your current goals works, consider what those goals are. For example, if you want to be more productive at work, how can minimalist practices help? Decluttering your office space promotes productivity and focus. It also helps to:
- Maximize your time and efficiency
- Bring in positive energy
- Identify the most important things
- Simplify your daily processes
If your goals seem simpler, like getting more sleep at night, minimalism can help there, too. A cluttered, disorganized bedroom can cause extra stress and racing thoughts, even if you don’t realize it. Choosing a minimalist design for your room by clearing out clutter and deciding on a clean design can make a big difference in how well you sleep and how relaxed you feel in your bedroom.
You can use that approach and mindset anywhere in your home – and anywhere in life. Clearing away the things that don’t get used or don’t have meaning makes it easier to focus on the important things. You’ll have less to worry about, so your mind can shift toward working on your goals without distractions.
The Goal of Minimalism
Maybe your goal is to live a minimalist lifestyle before anything else. That’s something that isn’t a walk in the park for everyone. It’s hard to think about “getting rid” of your belongings or simplifying the way you do things. People claim to like change, but it’s often less desirable when you initially feel like you’re losing out on something.
Once you can get over that hurdle, though, you’ll see how much you can actually gain from minimalism. So, if you’re struggling to reach other goals, consider making minimalist practices your first one. If you’re not sure how to get started or you’re feeling overwhelmed, keep these tips in mind:
- Focus on one area of change at a time
- Declutter your life, keeping only the “essentials”
- Resist the temptation to buy things that aren’t needed
- Set rules for your minimalism practices
- Ask yourself why you want to live a minimalist lifestyle
According to a 2018 survey, 14% of Americans were working toward a more minimalist lifestyle. Today, that number is likely even greater since most people have had to spend more time at home over the last year. But, the desire for most isn’t just to have a cleaner house. Rather, it’s to have a healthier, happier lifestyle.
There is no perfect way to use minimalist practices. Because it’s becoming more popular, there are plenty of resources available that can help you get started. Most importantly, be willing to let go of the things in your life that don’t seem necessary. The more you’re able to declutter, literally and figuratively, the easier it will be to reach your goals without distractions.
Frankie Wallace is a freelance writer in Boise, ID. Ever since graduating the University of Montana with a degree in English, she spends her spare time gardening and cuddling with her cat, Casper.
Image courtesy of Vlada Karpovich.
