We’ve all heard how minimalism can lead to a happier healthy life, but did you know that it can affect your productivity too?
Crazy.
People are more productive with clean and tidy workspaces. Studies have shown that less clutter opens doors for more opportunity!
In this post, I’m going to share five ways minimalism can aid in your productivity.
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
First, I want to note that I am not your conventional minimalist. I don’t have bare white walls or fancy white ceramics. I’m not a one bra, one pair of shoes, one bowl for the kitchen kind of gal!
I honestly love the boho style (as far as households go) the most and let me tell you, that is nowhere near minimalism!
However, I do limit the amount of “stuff” that I have. I have one tv. One mixing bowl. One large pot. One large skillet. One strapless bra. One pair of sandals. One pair of winter boots. Etc.
I think you get the idea.
I’ve never liked clutter and I’m a sucker for a good clean house. So yeah, I would say a least a pinch of minimalism exists in me!
Productivity and minimalism
As I said above, minimalism can really aid in productivity due to the idea that:
“A clean space can lead to a clear mind.”
And it’s possible to have a tidier space when you have less clutter to deal with.
Below are my five reasons minimalism can aid in productivity.
1. Less stuff equates to less decision making
Since decluttering my life (and I really do mean that in the grandest of ways), I have been able to make decisions MUCH faster.
Here’s an example: I decluttered my closet. I cleaned out all of the clothes I don’t like and haven’t worn in at least a year (aside formal attire), went through all of the clothes that don’t fit anymore, and I cleaned out my jewelry on top of that. Since doing so, it has been SO EASY to get ready in the mornings.
My closet doesn’t have nearly as many items and I can literally list every article of clothing I own! (Don’t worry, I won’t torture you like that). The point is, now I know of every single item in my closet and it makes it easier to know what I want to wear.
I have decluttered more than just my closet. I donated old board games, books, movies, and blankets that I hadn’t touched in a while and now, should I need any of them, making a decision on which to choose is so much easier!
2. It’s easier to keep the house tidy! Mess = stress
This is honestly the main reason I swapped over towards a more minimalist lifestyle. I clean/organize the house almost daily. And I’ve found that the more junk we have, the messier we are, and the more stressful it becomes to keep things tidy and clean.
We have attempted to declutter a ton of items in our home since moving. We’ve thrown out old papers, ridden ourselves of tools and items we don’t use anymore, and have decluttered our kitchen and closets.
Cleaning the house is so much easier and more efficient when you only have a few items. Not to mention, doing the dishes is nicer because we are forced to keep items clean or else we won’t have any to use! It also means more space in our cabinets!
3. You save money!
A lot of people (from what I know) join this movement to save money. Minimalism means buying quality items that will last years.
When I buy sandals, I buy them knowing they will last me a few summer sessions. When I buy bras, I expect them to last me at least two years. (Some of my bras are over four years old and still in use! The secret? I take care of them!)
Beyond that, since you’re attempting to own less, you shop less. I’ll admit, I have been shopping more recently…for storage, like shelves, and bookcases, etc.
However, I don’t really spend time or money going out to shop for clothing or other items aside from my groceries. Here and there I’ll make a purchase that isn’t food related, but more often than not, I tend not to buy anything.
Thoughts like “you already own one of those,” “do you really think you’ll use that in a few months?” And “is it made cheaply?” All float through my mind when I shop. More often than not, I don’t purchase anything and I save my money.
4. You are more conscious of what you spend your money on
This goes right along with the above reason. When shopping after adapting to minimalism, you start to ask yourself about the quality of the items you buy. You want to buy something that will last a while. And if it is the only item of its kind in your house, you want it to be durable.
I only have two pairs of scissors in my house. Ordinary ones, and kitchen ones. That’s it. When I buy scissors, I’m not necessarily looking for the most expensive thing (expensive does not equal quality). I’m just looking for something that will last me a while.
I’ve also grown to start trying to buy ethically. I almost exclusively buy thrift when it comes to clothing (not shoes or underwear), furniture, picture frames, ceramics, home decor, (some) kitchenware, and records.
If I can’t buy it thrift, I try to purchase from ethical websites. This is super important to me. And as a minimalist, it means less waste, and less overconsumption of product. Plus, I’m almost always guaranteed quality items!
5. You enjoy your space more!
I have loved my space so much more since adapting to a more minimalist lifestyle. The house is clean. I know where everything is (seriously!). It’s organized. There’s no clutter. Decision making is easier. I’m less stressed. I swear, this has been such a brilliant change for me.
Now, sure, I like to decorate my space with lots of pillows and blankets. I love books and I hoard them. We hang up pictures on the wall. We have decor. Our house isn’t a white box.
But we only have what we need and it really is satisfying.
If you like this post, check out some similar posts of mine below:
Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know how minimalism has helped you!
You can also email me with questions or concerns you may have at info.amelia.wilson@gmail.com
Also, check out my poetry book, The Lights are on but Nobody’s Home, available now on amazon for $6.99!
Disclaimer: All of the views and opinions in this post are solely my own and are not sponsored. This post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a commission through links at no cost to you.
Thanks again