It is easy to see our culture as one that always focuses on “bigger and better.” We have natural tendencies to compare with others, exhausting our precious time and energy, ultimately resulting in envy, misplaced hope, and constant dreaming. This creates an opening through which advertisers and marketers prey on us weak consumers who think we need more stuff in order to be happy and impress others.

Ultimately, there will always be another “want,” but this doesn’t get us more. It just steals from our joy and overall contentment of life. The solution? Minimalist living.

Minimalist living is definitely countercultural. However, if we transferred all this negative comparison energy into appreciating the things that are truly important to us, we would start seeing life-changing benefits immediately. The following 12 benefits will helps explain why less is more.

1. Have More Money – I know what you are thinking with this one: “obviously.” But many people have no idea what it is like to enjoy financial freedom or to be completely free of debt or even to have and keep a savings account. We find ourselves in a trap, believing that making more money is the key to solving all our financial woes, but history shows us time and time again us that the more money we make the more money we spend. True financial freedom actually comes from simply spending less.
2. Have Less Stress – Having too much “stuff” can actually be stressful. By de-cluttering your home you can create an environment that is open and free. Not to mention the stress you will release when you have obtained financial freedom.
3. More Happiness and Peace of Mind – With less stress in your life, you open spaces for joy and contentment. By simplifying and worrying less about materialistic things your mind will be a more calm and peaceful place.
4. Live in a Smaller Space – During the past five decades our home sizes have doubled and our costs of living have skyrocketed. Yet, we still complain that are homes are too small. Maybe we just put too much stuff inside them.
5. Focus on Health and Hobbies – If we spent less time shopping at retailers to impress our neighbors, or less time cleaning our huge house and all the stuff inside it, we would have more time to spend on the things that will keep us physically and mentally healthy.
6. Better Connections with Loved Ones – Unnecessary stuff = distractions. Getting rid of our seven different types of electronics or lowering the number of items we need to maintain helps us stay directly engaged in our loved ones’ lives. Also, if we live in smaller spaces we have more reason to be in the same room, leading to more reason to talk, or to just be together.
7. Good for the Environment – Pretty obvious actually. The less you buy, the less packaging, gas, emissions, energy, and waste you consume.
8. Be More Productive – Not only do we own our stuff, but our stuff owns our time. It doesn’t matter if you are cleaning it, maintaining it, or organizing it, our stuff robs us hours every day. Think of how productive we could all be if we had less stuff demanding our attention.
9. Support Other Causes – Spending less on useless things creates opportunities to provide monetary funds for causes or people that you truly care about. And what is more important in life than loving and helping others?
10. A Wardrobe that is Full yet Affordable – Minimalists don’t have to wear the same t-shirt and jeans every day. You can find high-quality second-hand clothes that match your style perfectly. Then, when you’re ready for a new look, you don’t have to keep the clothes in the closet or throw them away. Just donate them when you’re looking for something new and give someone else a chance to enjoy these styles.
11. Create Room for What you Value Most – Communicate what is most important to you through a few simple objects. When someone walks into your living room, let them know exactly what you love. Remove the things that distract you and provide your full attention to the things you love.
12. More Confidence – This is by far the best benefit. The minimalistic lifestyle encourages individuality and self-reliance. Ultimately creating more confidence in yourself and your lifestyle.

It is important to understand that the point of living a minimalistic lifestyle is to bring freedom, joy, simplicity, contentment and overall happiness to your life. Getting obsessed with counting your things or living an extreme lifestyle isn’t particularly healthy or helpful. Minimalism is a means to get rid of life’s excess so you can focus on the things you find most important.