Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Erin
Discover how embracing minimalism in midlife can bring greater clarity and purpose. Find your path to a more fulfilling life with minimalism.
So why I have personally embraced minimalism in midlife? Here’s my story…
When my husband and I first moved in together, I felt like it was my duty as a new wife to make our house a beautifully decorated home. My mother and mother-in-law both have maximalist design tastes and have every inch of space filled with wall art, furniture, and keepsakes. That was my model and what I felt like I had to emulate. I had no clue what my personal design style might be.
It resulted in a whole lot of clutter and constant trips to donation centers because I was trying so hard to keep up with design trends. It was too much!
More recently, in an effort to start fresh and make my home a peaceful respite, I have turned to minimalism. I’m not entirely sure how I even stumbled upon the concept (most likely Pinterest), but I’m so glad I did. Pictures of minimalist homes and spaces just feel like such a breath of fresh air!
In truth, minimalism is helping me gain clarity not only in my home but throughout my life in various ways. I have discovered there are some incredible benefits for midlife women like me.
So brew up a cup of coffee in your favorite mug and let me convince you why you should embrace a minimalist lifestyle in midlife.
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1. Minimalism Reduces Stress and Clutter
What even is minimalism? Minimalism is a lifestyle and design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and the reduction of excess possessions and distractions.
By decluttering your physical space and focusing on the essentials, minimalism can help reduce stress and increase overall well-being. A cluttered environment can contribute to sensory overload and increase feelings of anxiety and chaos.
I have learned that I am easily overwhelmed by auditory and visual stimuli. I often can’t control auditory overwhelm because I have three kids and that’s life, but I can definitely do something about the visual overwhelm. (Pro tip: invest in some noise-reducing earplugs if noise causes you to become overstimulated)
I’ve always felt like the state of my home was a reflection of my mental state. Have you ever taken an afternoon to just get things “in order”? I know I have!
A minimalist space provides a sense of calm and order, allowing you to focus on what is truly important.
Having less possessions can simplify decision making, leading to reduced stress and increased feelings of control your life. Overall, the principles of minimalism can provide a peaceful, stress-free environment and promote a more mindful, intentional way of living.
2. Increased Time and Energy from a Minimalist Lifestyle
Minimalism in midlife can increase both time and energy by simplifying daily routines and reducing distractions. By decluttering physical spaces and focusing on the essentials, you can better manage your time.
When you have fewer possessions, there is less time spent on cleaning and organizing. This increased sense of control could lead to greater feelings of productivity and purpose. Wouldn’t it be great to feel like you can pursue more meaningful activities?
For example, I used to spend so much of my evening cleaning and tidying up the house. Now that my spaces are clear, it takes a fraction of the time to reset the house. Last year, I was able to spend more time in the evening relaxing and reading. I decided to challenge myself to read a bit more and ended up reading 86 books! That’s definitely a more meaningful activity than cleaning, in my opinion.
Take it from me- minimalism can help you feel more fulfilled and less stressed.
3. Minimalism Can Lead to Improved Relationships
This one might have you scratching your heads but trust me on this!
Midlife can bring its own unique challenges. Those challenges might include relationship problems.
Minimalism in midlife can have a positive impact on relationships by promoting more intentional and fulfilling interactions. When you focus less on material possessions and focus more on what is truly important, you can prioritize the people and experiences that bring you the most joy and fulfillment.
You can take a deep breath (ahhhhh), focus on the present moment, and truly engage with loved ones.
I used to come home stressed out from work, see a messy house, and become overwhelmed with the feeling that I was incapable of having a nice home. It would send me into a frenzy, and I would start furiously cleaning everything for hours. Some might call it “rage cleaning.”
My family started to learn that when mom was “rage cleaning,” stay out of her way! I hated that. Now it’s so much easier for me to tidy up spaces AND for my family to help out. I can just relax and enjoy my time with them.
4. Minimalism Creates Financial Freedom
Minimalism in midlife can lead to financial freedom by promoting mindful consumption and reducing unnecessary expenses. One of the benefits of entering midlife is that I care so much less about staying “on trend.” My spending is much more purposeful and targeted to things I need and value.
By focusing on the essentials and reducing clutter, I am able to identify what is truly important to me. I prioritize my spending accordingly. There are much fewer impulse purchases and a shift away from consumerist tendencies. This frees up resources for more meaningful expenditures.
For example, my husband and I consciously chose to have a “low buy” year as we prepare for my career change. As a result, we had saved enough in the month of January, that it was no problem spending money on a weekend getaway with the family the next month. When I think about the value of that experience, I know it’s worth much more than a new pair of shoes would bring.
Additionally, the practice of decluttering and living with less can lead to a decrease in living expenses, as you require fewer possessions and a smaller living space.
Truth be told, now that I’ve decluttered our whole house, it almost feels too big. We have considered the possibility of downsizing because we absolutely do not need a house this size. If we made that move, it would result in lower mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance costs.
Pursue Financial Goals in Midlife
The newfound financial stability that minimalism can bring can provide you with the freedom to pursue other financial goals. That may include saving for the future, paying off debt, or investing in experiences that bring you joy. Minimalism and conscious spending have given me the push I needed to leave my job in education.
Overall, by promoting mindful consumption and reducing unnecessary expenses, minimalism can lead to greater financial stability and freedom.
If you’re interested in trying a “low buy” year, I’ve created a free 20-page printable resource to help you find success. It includes budget trackers, savings trackers, a closet inventory, wish list planner, and gratitude journal to keep it all in perspective.
5. Clarity and Purpose
Minimalism helps to bring clarity to what is truly important in life. This enables us fabulous midlife women to focus on our passions, purpose, and goals.
By decluttering physical and mental spaces, you are able to better understand your values and priorities, leading to a clearer sense of direction and purpose. This clarity can help you make decisions more easily and confidently, reducing stress and increasing a sense of control over your life.
6. Improved Physical and Mental Health
Minimalism can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health by reducing stress and promoting mindfulness.
It’s just a fact of life that midlife puts you at higher risk for health concerns and chronic conditions. By decluttering physical spaces and focusing on the essentials, you can create a peaceful and organized environment, reducing sensory overload and anxiety. This can lead to improved sleep and a decrease in physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches and fatigue.
Furthermore, a minimalistic lifestyle often requires intentional decision making and prioritization, leading individuals to focus on self-care and physical wellness. This can include engaging in regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and practicing mindfulness and stress reduction techniques.
Minimalism can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing feelings of overwhelm and increasing a sense of control. By simplifying life and reducing distractions, individuals are better able to focus on what is important and prioritize self-care. This could lead to improved mental wellbeing. Wouldn’t you love a little more peace and calm in your life?
I still require medication for my mental health, but I feel I am better able to manage my feelings of anxiety. I have created a peaceful living still with less visual clutter and fewer cleaning tasks.
Embrace Minimalism in Midlife
Midlife women can greatly benefit from embracing minimalism as we navigate the challenges and changes that often come with this stage of life. Minimalism can provide a sense of simplicity and clarity during a time when we may be reassessing priorities and seeking greater purpose and meaning.
If you’re ready to jump start your minimalist journey, here are a few more posts you will be interested in reading:
How to Create a Cozy Minimalist Home
The Best Minimalist Makeup for Midlife Moms
Make sure to save this post so you can refer back to it later 🙂
Sincerely,
Erin
