I could go on and on about all the benefits of the world of minimalism (and I do), so today I wanted to just share another list of all the positives that have come from this transition in my life.

+ It's easier to clean

You may think that you’re very organized with all of your different containers and storage spots in your home, but clutter is still clutter no matter how you arrange it.

I have a spot for everything I own and know exactly where it goes. This also makes keeping track of stuff a lot easier too. (I’ve found one of my superpowers is remembering where something is at, even Michael’s stuff.)

And when you have less that means less stuff to put away when it comes time to cleaning. Think about having a five-bedroom house vs. having a two bedroom house. Space easily gets filled with things, and that space has to be vacuumed, dusted, you name it.

+ It's easier to get ready

I’ve done a number of closet declutters since the original big one back in the day, but at that first one, I got rid of nine large garbage bags of clothing and shoes. Nine bags! Before I would have to use my elbows to push my clothes apart to hang something up. It was insane.

Now, my clothes don’t even fill a fourth of my closet, which is really nice because that gives me storage for work things.

But it also makes getting ready in the morning so much easier.

Since that first declutter, and subsequent declutters I’ve been creating capsule wardrobes for each season, which helps so much more than you could imagine.

Having only your favorite items that are season appropriate to choose from each morning cuts getting dressed down to just a minute or two each morning.

+ It impacts all aspects of life

This was a surprise benefit I discovered thanks to minimalism. I just thought “Hey, I’ll have less stuff. Great!” But what I didn’t realize was that it would change the way I think about everything.

Who are the people I want to spend my time with and give my energy to? It’s hard to cut people out of your life, but sometimes it’s necessary so you can thrive.

What am I spending my time doing? Is it activities I enjoy, or things I’m doing just because I think I should, or someone else asked me to? When you stop doing things that aren’t adding anything to your life you make space for things that really matter to you.

+ It has made room and money for quality items

When you stop buying stuff just to buy stuff you have more time to research what you actually want and need, and the particular item you’re going to get and love. This has made me so much more excited about things when I do buy them because I know I’m going to love them and use them.

And I know I will have not only space for them, but because I’m saving my money not buying a bunch of stuff all the time I can invest more money and get quality products that I’m proud to own.

+ I have more connection to what I do own

Going off that last one I have found that because I have taken the time to weed out all the things I don’t like, and have spent the time to research and choose each item consciously that I am so much more invested in what I do own.

I take better care of my things. I have more pride in what I own. Even something as simple as a water bottle or a pair of boots.

Minimalism doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything you own, and I think a lot of people are afraid they’ll have to give up things they love. But it couldn’t be more the opposite. You get to keep everything you love and cherish, and you’ll have more space and time for them too!

+ I have everything I want and need

Sometimes people think minimalists go without, that they sleep on a mattress on the floor and have no flavor to their life. But I can truly say that I have everything I want and need in life (and probably then some). There are always areas in which I know I could cut back even further, but the great thing about it is you don’t have to unless you want to. It’s not a competition.

+ It has helped me fine tune my decision-making process

I used to buy cheap things without really thinking about them. What were a few dollars here or there? But I’ve realized that just because something is on sale, or could be altered to fit better or hey might one day be part of a really great costume idea doesn’t mean you should buy it.

I am so much more conscious of what I’m bringing into my life, whether that is material things, people, experiences, you name it.

I also feel like minimalism has given me more character and personality because it’s made me sit down and think about what I want out of life.

How has minimalism benefited your life?