In the world we currently live in, you can find clutter almost anywhere you look, as our system seems to promote the idea of excessive consumption and greed. However, just because advertisements and companies want you to believe that material goods will buy happiness, does not mean that you should buy into this idea. Time and time again, we’ve seen the successful CEO or entrepreneur crippled by depression, as they have a lot of material wealth but still feel empty.
Companies spend a lot of money convincing us we need certain things for happiness, when in reality, the key lies within ourselves.
Lately, though, the trend of minimalism seems to keep growing, as more people seek real, heartfelt experiences rather than material goods that only provide temporary happiness. If you’ve had enough of collecting possessions and would rather collect memories, then you probably need to de-clutter your life, so read on to find out how.
5 Signs It’s Time To De-Clutter Your Life
1. You have a lot of worries, financial and otherwise.
Owning a lot of stuff means the stuff owns us, in the end. Think about it: in order to buy most anything in life on a large scale, it requires us to go into debt. So, we have the additional burden over our heads of paying back the debt, plus the upkeep of whatever we purchased as well. Even if you don’t go into debt buying things, the items still won’t bring a sense of fulfillment, as things can’t connect to us like experiences and other people can.
If you have a lot of worries in your life, you might want to look at what you own to see where you can eliminate stress.
Many people report that finances cause them a lot of distress in their lives, so by getting rid of what you don’t need and trying to eliminate debts, you will feel a huge relief.
2. You only have possessions to impress others.
Many people buy things they don’t need to impress people they don’t even like…but why? At the end of the day, people do this because of lack of self-love. They seek validation and attention from others in order to feel fulfilled, but this way of seeking happiness will never work. Any time you seek acceptance outside of yourself, you will never become satisfied because you’ll always base your self-worth off of what others think of you.
If you care so much about what others think that you buy items you don’t even want just to feel worthy, then you definitely need to de-clutter your life.
It doesn’t matter if you have $5 to your name or $1 million, as long as you feel happy, whole, and healthy at the end of the day. Don’t buy something to impress someone else – only buy things that add genuine value to your life.
3. You don’t spend money on things that make you happy.
Studies have shown that people who spend money on experiences rather than things feel much happier than those who accumulate material items. Minimalists don’t skimp on experiences, they just pass up the latest iPhone or TV or sale on jeans. Why? Because they’ve realized that buying the latest and greatest gadgets or clothing will only bring fleeting happiness, and that an inanimate object can never provide what the soul really needs – love, compassion, connection, and understanding.
We all just want to feel alive, but can you feel that from a new toy, car, or gadget? Exactly. If you buy things that don’t make you feel more alive, more whole, or more human, then you need to reevaluate your purchases and de-clutter your life.
4. You can’t think clearly most of the time.
Our material purchases only add superficial value to a very outdated, selfish system. When you strip away what you don’t need, you can focus on the things you do need in life, and bring back mental clarity. While not thinking clearly could point to a variety of issues, de-cluttering your life can literally help you declutter your mind as well.
When you have more space in your home or apartment, you create more mental space as well. We all require some sense of organization, believe it or not, and organizing your immediate space can help you sort through your thoughts and get rid of that mental fog we’ve all felt at some point.
5. Your space literally feels cramped and cluttered.
If you don’t feel comfortable in your own living space, then you probably need to de-clutter your life. When you clean up your physical space, you also make room in your heart and soul for new ideas, inspirations, and opportunities. Minimalism goes far beyond simply decluttering your apartment or home; it means going deep within to eliminate thoughts or ideas that no longer serve you. It means questioning your thought process and figuring out what thoughts uplift you and which thoughts weigh you down. Minimalism provides a fresh slate to work with – a total cleanse of your life.
Related article: 5 Life-Changing Things That Happen When You Downsize
Getting rid of things you don’t need makes you feel free, because you’ve literally lightened your imprint on the world. You’ve taken away that which creates chaos and clutter to make room for that which brings clarity and space.
You can’t take your money or possessions with you when the time comes, so why accumulate them in the first place? Why add more stress and anxiety to a world already overrun with these emotions, when you can feel so much better by living simply and treading lightly?
The minimalist journey might not seem easy at first, but it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
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