One of the hardest things to do is let go of what gets in your way. We cling to possessions the same way we cling to ideas—and often for the same reasons. Approaching a minimalist lifestyle helps you to alleviate stress, spend less money, and let go of the need to impress others. Achieving a minimalist interior design may not seem low-key, yet it follows some basic principles. From home design to everyday living, the reasons why you should adopt a minimalist lifestyle will make you wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Clear Your Mind

A cluttered space equals a cluttered mind. Time spent thinking about cleaning is time you could be spending on something else. When you have less clutter in your home, you will have fewer things to pick up and clean. Having fewer personal possessions lying around in your house means you will have fewer distractions and a better opportunity to focus.

Practice Sustainability

Minimalism is about living intentionally. When practicing this lifestyle, you should plan each purchase you make and ensure that it suits your lifestyle. You will feel less guilt about the purchases you make knowing that you will not waste any portion of it. Further, you might focus on reducing waste with items that elevate your minimalist design by buying reusable items like:

• Glass containers for seasonings, cereals, and baking supplies
• Bars of soap
• Cloth paper towels

Sleep Better

When you have less distractions in your home, you have a better chance of falling asleep quicker. If ruminating in bed often prevents you from falling asleep, you might benefit from pairing down the amount of stimulation around you. Focusing less on material items brings you more peace and joy which leads to relaxation and a better night’s rest.

Surround Yourself With Meaningful Objects

While the reasons why you should adopt a minimalist lifestyle are to cut down on distractions and declutter your life, you should still surround yourself with meaningful objects. Once you begin to declutter, you’ll start gravitating toward what matters to you most. The minimalist lifestyle removes the desire to buy unnecessary items. You can begin by making a rule with yourself that for every item you add, you must remove something.

You can save money by decorating your space and only wearing and keeping things in your life that “spark joy.” The KonMari Method is used by many to approach minimalism. Once you’ve mastered the lifestyle and mindset, you’ll be rewarded with the sense of freedom that comes with being able to let go of baggage and negativity. Don’t let fear stand in your way of living the life you want.