I became a minimalist about 10 years ago. I had what you might call an epiphany, I realized that I had too much stuff. My home was filled with so many things that I did not need or use, and I felt a strong desire to get rid of most of it.

I spent the next few months donating and throwing away everything that I did not need or love, when I was done, I felt a incredible sense of relief.

Once my home was finished, I looked for other ways to minimalize, financially, digitally, and personally. Today I live a much simpler life and it has reduced my stress and given me time to focus on more important things.

Minimalism is a personal choice and not for everyone but if you feel overwhelmed by the clutter in your life you may find the same peace I have if you eliminate the unnecessary.

I think it is safe to say that the average American owns far too much stuff. And when our homes are filled up, we buy bigger homes, or we rent storage units to store the overflow. According to the U.S. Self-Storage Industry, 11.1% of households currently rent a self-storage facility. That is an estimated 14.6 million households. Why do we need so much space just to hold all our stuff?

Here are just some of the ways that owning less can simplify your life and bring you joy.

Saves Money

When you own and buy less you spend less. The time you previously spent shopping can be spent doing other things and the money you save can go toward more important things like savings accounts, investment accounts and paying off debt.

Simpler Wardrobe

When you have a simplified wardrobe you spend less time shopping for clothes, worrying about what to wear, less time organizing your clothing and less time spent doing laundry.

Less Cleaning

Cleaning is easier and faster when you are not surrounded by clutter. Consider how much time you spend cleaning, maintaining, and organizing the things you own. Embrace emptiness. Not every space or room needs to be filled with furniture and other items. You may even find you can downsize your home when you own less.

Fewer Financial Worries

Financial minimalism is about paying for necessary expenses such as housing, utilities, insurance, retirement accounts, health care and food and eliminating anything that is not necessary, you live within your means. When you do this, you can eliminate debt and save more money.

Fewer Distractions

When your home is full of stuff you feel it. You may not even realize how much you internalize all of the clutter and chaos until it is gone. I find so much peace in simple things and quiet time since I have become a minimalist. I have 1 room in my home that is completely empty, and I don’t feel the need to fill it with anything. It has also helped me to appreciate doing nothing. I no longer feel the need to fill every moment of the day with activity.

Simplified Routine

You will spend less time making decisions, when you have a simple life there is less to decide on, for example what to wear, when to shop, and what to eat. Once I got rid of the clutter, I found that my entire routine changed, and I had less to do and worry about and more time to spend on things like meal prep and just enjoying free time with nothing scheduled.

Less Time Searching for Lost Items

When you have an overflowing, unorganized home you may spend a lot of time searching for lost items. It is estimated that Americans spend up to 20 minutes a day looking for things they have misplaced. When you own less you know where everything is.

Less Worry

Minimalism helps you focus on what is truly important. You don’t worry about having the newest home, cell phone or car. You are satisfied with what you have and are not looking to add more. You don’t feel the need to compete with others. You don’t place value in material things and instead focus on people and experiences.

Minimalism looks different for everyone but having fewer possessions allows more freedom, you feel less tied down by stuff, you feel lighter and happier and have more time to nurture and care for yourself and others. Materialism is unhealthy and breaking free from that mindset can change your entire outlook on life.