Intentionally trying to live with only things you need is called minimalism. Over here, the word intentionally is the most important. Sometimes, leading a simple life can be much more satisfying than always chasing behind the word “more”. Here are some reasons why minimalists lead happier lives.

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1. Less Stuff, More Time

Successful men like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs have always been seen wearing the same clothes every single day. When asked why with is so, Mark Zuckerberg’s reply was that he eliminates the tiny, insignificant things in life which take up time and energy so that he can utilize that time to be more productive. If we decide to be minimalistic and not care about accumulating things which do not matter, then we will be blessed with lots of time to do things which we otherwise do not have time for. Removing stuff doesn’t only refer to physical possessions, it also includes minimizing your schedule, getting clear about your priorities and being clear about who and what you want in life.

2. Helps Focus on Goals

Having less things to worry about will bring about concentration on the things which really matter. Imagine you have 100 things to do but only one is helping you achieve your dream and goal in life. Now imagine having only 10 things to do. More time can be devoted to your goals which lead to more concentration and focus which in turn will help in achieving those goals.

3. Gives A Certain Sense of Peace

Limiting your possessions means eliminating greed. When we are not greedy for more and more, satisfaction sets in. Satisfaction is something which brings in a great deal of peace and happiness. Some people are not satisfied irrespective of the number of material possessions they have. And others, to satisfy this greed run behind money and fame leaving behind much more important things like family and love.

4. Gets Rid of Inferiority Complex

Often, when we see others having more than what we have, we get a sense of jealousy and inferiority complex. If he can have that, why can’t I? And then, even if we can’t afford it, we’ll buy that something, which we probably don’t even need. Feelings such as jealousy and inferiority complex will all go away in the snap of a finger if we learn to be minimalists. They voluntarily have only the things they need, so they will automatically be happy with what they have.

5. Gives You a Sense of Having a Lot of Space

Some people live in small houses and fill it with a lot of possessions. This will end up making the house look smaller than it is. The smaller the number of things you have, the bigger your space will seem. Be it your house, your room, your desk at work, you will always feel good being in a place which is spacious and roomy.

Minimalistic lives may suit some and not others. People who feel that we have only one life to experience everything might not want to give up some things. Others who feel that ultimate happiness lies in achieving certain things in life may be okay with giving up something to attain something else. Though it may not suit everyone, minimalism does surely bring about a certain level of peace and satisfaction. It cannot be achieved overnight. It takes time and conscious effort. Slowly, minds need to be tuned to accept that we do not need certain things, and eventually get rid of them.

A small suggestion on how to start. Go around your room and throw away everything you have not touched in the last one year. Chances are that you will probably never use them if you haven’t in an entire year. This itself will end up de-cluttering a major portion of your room. Gradually, over time, you will succeed in leading a minimalistic and happy life.