Fifteen years ago, I was introduced to minimalism by my neighbor, and it forever changed my outlook on life.
The concept is simple, but incredibly rich.
By choosing to own less, I free up my life for more important pursuits than chasing and accumulating material possessions.
This paradigm shift began freeing me from the cycle of excess consumerism that, up until that point, had been unintentionally stealing more of my time and money than I ever realized.
This minimalist journey certainly goes against the grain of society’s push to buy, buy, and buy some more. But the more people I meet who’ve taken this path, the more convinced I become of its lasting benefits.
In case it helps motivate you today to consider the life-changing reasons to embrace a minimalist lifestyle…
Here are 15 reasons why, once you embrace minimalism, you’ll never want to return to excess consumerism.
1. The Freedom of Owning Less.
This is where it begins. Shedding the excess stuff offers a freedom you never knew was available. It’s like taking off a heavy backpack you didn’t realize you were carrying. Suddenly, you’re lighter, more mobile, and free to explore what life has to offer.
You’ll never know the weight of your possessions until you begin to remove them.
2. You’re No Longer in the Rat Race.
Excess consumerism can feel like a never-ending competition, a race for the next big thing with a finish line that never appears.
Breaking free from the race offers an amazing sense of peace.
3. More Money for Experiences.
When you stop spending on things you don’t need, you’ll find you have more resources to spend on experiences that enrich your life and create lasting memories.
4. The Understanding that Buying Doesn’t Bring Happiness.
The hollow promise of consumerism is that happiness is one purchase away. In reality, it’s a mirage that constantly moves further away.
The minimalist lifestyle teaches us that true joy and contentment comes from elsewhere—not from what we own.
5. More Time for Your Passions.
Less time spent shopping and managing possessions means more time to pursue the things you genuinely love.
6. Your Home Becomes More Peaceful.
Without clutter, your home becomes a place of rest, rejuvenation, and connection. It’s a sanctuary, not a storage unit.
Your home becomes a safe haven for rest so you can live your life outside the home to its fullest.
7. You Start Living More Intentionally.
By choosing to own less, you’re actually choosing to live more—more intentionally, more purposefully, and more fully.
8. Better Focus.
When you own less, you remove visual clutter from your home and life.
Even more, when your life isn’t dominated by acquiring and managing stuff, you’ll find you have a clearer mind to focus on the important things in life.
9. Less Environmental Impact.
Living with less means consuming less. And that’s good news for all of us—whether that is something you are passionate about or not.
10. Greater Generosity.
When you stop focusing on your needs, you begin to see the needs of others more clearly. And it provides you with financial and time margin to meet those needs more than ever before.
11. Less Stress.
Fewer possessions mean fewer things to worry about. As Randy Alcorn wrote, “Every increased possession adds anxiety to your lives.”
It’s amazing how much stress can be alleviated by the simple act of decluttering.
12. Greater Appreciation for What You Have.
When you aren’t continually reaching for more, you find gratitude for what you already possess.
This gratitude cultivates a rich sense of contentment.
13. Freedom from the Need to Impress.
One of the liberating truths you’ll discover through minimalism is that owning a bunch of nice stuff is less impressive than you think—and you’ll never fully impress people with what you own.
Impress people with who you are, not what you have.
14. Learning to Find Identity Outside of Possessions.
You are more than what you own. When you step away from consumerism, you start to see your true worth and identity shine through.
15. A More Fulfilled Life.
At the end of the day, living with less allows you to lead a life of more fulfillment by focusing your time and money of pursuits with purpose.
Once you’ve embraced minimalism and enjoyed the benefits, you’ll understand why going back to the chaos of excess consumerism just isn’t an option.
And as you move forward on your minimalist journey, remember that it’s not about what we own, but how we live. Minimalism frees us to live better.
Karen Ann Fisher says
thank you for this encouragement
Judy says
Thank you Joshua for introducing me to minimalism. I used to live in a big house and I filled it to the brim. I got rid of 80 percent of my possessions—- and very beautiful things—- donated it all. Moved to a small house half the size of the other. I still have pretty things but they don’t own me. Now I love open space—- and especially in a smaller home, it looks so much better.
Betsy says
Having less of everything gives me much more breathing room, physically and emotionally. I’m enjoying my simpler life.
Tracey Mueller says
We just sold our 2900 sq ft home w basement with 3.5 acres and we are building an 1800 sq ft one level home in town. Downsizing. I’m feeling kinda sad hoping I did the right thing. We have too much stuff I’m purging !
EB says
I’m excited for you!!!!
Deb says
I think that sadness with purging is normal and healthy- it’s a kind of grieving and saying good-bye. But, I think you’ll soon find that you DID do the right thing for all the reasons in this article and more. Enjoy your less stressful and simpler life.
Betsy says
Tracey, we did the same thing about 5 years ago and with each day after unloading and moving we could slowly see we did the right thing. I ask myself often why I thought I needed all the stuff to begin with. That’s the only regret I have, wasting so much money and time on stuff. Best wishes!
Judy says
Wow! I bet the new home will turn out beautiful! Congrats!
Lanora Heiser says
It is so freeing. Cuts housekeeping
time in half and frees you to become the person God created you to be.
Jeremiah 1:5, Psalms 139:16
Elaine Costello says
We live in a one level home with a finished basement ; total sq ft , 3900 . Just the two of us , retired . Everything neat and tidy and decluttered . We rarely shop now , just groceries and a few gifts .
Strongly considering building a one level home on a slab . So everything in the basement will have to go , except for a few things like my sewing machine , my husband’s elliptical , photo albums , Christmas decor and some serving and bakeware and cookbooks that we use irregularly . We are starting to let it go now, as we will have about a year . One thing a day , is how I’m approaching it !