Guest post: by Emily Folk

Environmentalists and naturalists across the globe continue to stress one very fundamental question — how is the increasing drive toward consumption going to provide for a more sustainable Earth? Every day, a new fashion trend or must-have gadget hits the market that creates a little more strain on the environment in the process, which is why many have decided to opt for a minimalist lifestyle that works with — not against — the natural world.

Minimalism isn’t about depriving yourself of life’s finest indulgences, either. By reducing your need for stuff and unnecessary products, you’ll find that not only do you help free your physical and mental surroundings from clutter, but you also help create a more sustainable world for those around you in the process.

While the minimalist lifestyle may place an emphasis on owning fewer possessions and reducing one’s space to a minimum, the benefits of this way of living run much deeper. By living in a simple manner with fewer things, minimalism improves one’s day-to-day life by focusing on what you value most rather than physical possessions while improving the health of the Earth along the way.

Not convinced? Here are five ways minimalism and sustainability go hand-in-hand.

1: Gaining a Sense a Mindfulness and Happiness

Did you know that you could win the lottery just by reducing your need for random junk? It’s true! Research studies that examined a group of participants who won the lottery were found to be no happier than those who met their basic needs with minimal spending.

So you may not be a literal winner of the jackpot, but your level of happiness could be just the same — if not higher — than those who spend vastly more money than you.

Plus, doesn’t it feel good to know you’re playing your part in leaving the world a cleaner place for future generations? When you vow to cut back on your possessions, it leaves you feeling even better about your contributions when you see the positive effects of your environmental cutback. What’s not to love?

2: Forming Meaningful Connections

When you walk down the street, it’s easy to feel bombarded by the feeling that you need more stuff. From the billboards hanging over the subway telling you that you need a new watch to the radio ad proclaiming that the latest Honda edition will bring you happiness, it seems as though consumerism is driven into our heads nonstop.

But when we buy more things, we find that those things are no substitute for meaningful connections and actually negatively impact our ability to bond with others.

Minimalism prioritizes community and relationships over stuff. When you find a sense of meaning in your relationship with others, it doesn’t matter who owns the biggest car or who sports the latest fashions. You’re able to bond with people on a personal level while gaining a true sense of positive connection with the environment too.

3: Choosing Products Wisely

When you vow to cut down your daily necessities and possessions to a minimum, the quality of the goods you do purchase becomes increasingly top of mind. After all, if you plan to cut down your wardrobe to a few basic outfits and shoes, you wouldn’t invest in shirts and pants that are only designed to last you a week of use — at most.

Minimalism drastically impacts the environment for the better. How exactly? You’ll be consuming fewer items, which reduces your individual environmental footprint. When you think about the endless fossil fuels, water, and waste that goes into the production of a single item, a minimalist lifestyle rejects the need for unnecessary products that cause these harmful impacts on the Earth.

4: Making Yourself — and the Environment — Richer

It’s simple math — buy less and save more. If you find yourself working paycheck to paycheck to invest in the market’s latest gadgets and accessories, you may just end up stuck in an endless cycle of buying things and staying broke.

When you choose to purchase only the items you need, you’ll find that your finances improve tremendously. After all, having $100 is far more valuable than spending endless cash on a new speaker you don’t genuinely need. That means you have more money to travel the world and experience the diverse environments to create experiences and form memories that will last.

Plus, your decision to consume less will make exploring the wilderness and natural environment even better because you are helping to keep it green.

5: Focusing on What Truly Matters

Both sustainability and minimalism allow you to free up your spare time to focus on what truly matters — spending time with loved ones, family members, and friends.

When you look back at your life, how likely are you to reminisce about shopping trips to the mall or late nights indulging in the sales rack at your favorite department store? Instead of focusing your time on consumerism and spending, minimalism allows you to set aside time for trips and outdoor events with your favorite people so that you can create real memories that will last you a lifetime.

After all, a camping trip spent sharing stories and exploring the natural world is far more exciting than buying a new pair of clothes — isn’t it?

Emily Folk is a sustainability writer who has been in the process of decluttering her life over the past four years in order to reduce her environmental footprint. You can read more of her work on her blog, Conservation Folks.

Suggested post: Ecominimalism & an Interview with Minimalist Robin Kay

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