15 Benefits of Minimalism - How Simple Living Changed My Life

this video is about many positive impacts that minimalism has on my life. Even if there could be a few downsides, for me the benefits of living simply really changed my life for the better and continue to help me become the person I want to be.
Instagram: / ecofriend.lia
Thumbnail Picture by Matthias Ziemer
his Instagram: / maze_ziemer
#minimalism #minimalist

[@susanjohn6506]

How did you become so wise at such a young age? I am 61 & only realising much of this in recent years. I am sure many of your viewers are greatly enlightened by your videos as am I. I appreciate you & the work you do, thank you.

[@ChristineMichelleYT]

I also have ocd and generalized anxiety, minimalism has made me less anxious, because visual clutter and disorganization, causes anxiety for me. That's the biggest benefit I've experienced

[@ecofriendlia]

Oh, I can totally imagine that and have heard that this is the case for many people! I thankfully don't struggle with anxiety but I definitely feel less stressed and more like I can handle my life ☺

[@sandraaylward691]

You have provided such a great list of reminders about the "why" behind our efforts to take a more minimalist approach to life. Beyond achieving objective goals - A smaller wardrobe! An empty basement! - there are the surprising and delightful outcomes that are emotional, even spiritual: Self-awareness. Clarity. Focus. Peace.

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! I am so glad you liked it! ☺️

[@ChristineMichelleYT]

I didn't work this summer due to covid 19 , plus I've been living in a place that is much hotter than other places I've lived. I had to buy more summer items like 2 pairs of shorts and a pair of sandals. I've also recently moved and bought curtains and a duvet cover, and I have to accept that sometimes it's okay to spend my money on stuff when my lifestyle changes.

[@themurleka]

Great video. I love how you are always on point. I am just starting with my minimalist journey. As you said, it's never a destination, but a wonderful journey. The fifteenth benefit really resonates with me. As a go through my things and purge so many of them, I am starting to discover myself. What I like, what I don't. And surprisingly, by simply doing such a superficial thing as going through my closet or old photos, I am also discovering what I really think of certain social issues and people in my life. It has been really eye-opening. The second issue is that, it is so difficult to get rid of things intentionally in my country. We don't have thrift shops. People don't like second hand items. And I am literally looking for new homes for every piece of clothing, every book, every cup or even a pen. I don't want these items to be simply thrown away, because it also makes it easier to go and buy new things. I have also discovered a woman's shelter, a dog shelter, that I visit regularly now. And only yesterday I found two bookshelves in the city where I could leave my books. We don't have many of these, it's something of a novelty. And we have books in four languages, so I always try to pick the right one. I don't want to just dump my things on others. I want them to be doubt by people who really need them. Because as you said, it's not just about minimizing and throwing away stuff. I have spent hours and hours of my life to pay for those things. There are so many reasons behind it: financial, ecological and making it easier for me to be more mindful about bringing new things to my life. The other point was that the home I live in is not in a good shape, and I never felt motivated to do anything about it, because there was so much stuff inside (70 percent not mine) that even if you scrubbed everything, the house still looked messy. But now I am so inspired about fixing my own and the kids' rooms, about keeping them neat and clean, all the renovation projects, that I actually want to come back home every single day. The journey has only just started, but I already feel that it is going to be amazing!

[@jennleiker1823]

This is the best list I've seen yet. Well done! I'm moving back overseas as well (#1), and that's got me starting this journey as well!

[@n.ee.h]

I actually love your videos 😊

[@globichopf6050]

Ich mag deine Videos wirklich sehr. Nicht nur weil mich das Thema interessiert, sondern auch weil du sehr sympathisch und maximal authentisch rüberkommst. Danke dir

[@ecofriendlia]

Oh danke! Authentizität ist mir auch sehr wichtig und dann bin ich froh wenn ich das so rüberbringen kann! Wenn ich selber Videos anschaue wünsche ich mir auch authentische Menschen deshalb versuche ich das so gut wie möglich zu sein☺️

[@tatianavutsan5292]

Thank you for your channel! It's a breath of fresh air! The benefit number 12 is a real motivator for me too🙏🙏🙏

[@ecofriendlia]

I am so glad you like it! ☺

[@Prizzy999]

I embrace all of your 15 points, especially the one about knowing what you really like, and what you need. For me that applies also to relationships with friends and acquaintances. I came to realize over the years that some people were not healthy to deal with and I left them behind without regrets as I feel I only have to please myself and not others. It was very liberating and increased my mental health a great deal. Being able to say NO to people's weird and unjust expectations towards us turns out to be crucial at times. Ciao!

[@ecofriendlia]

Oh yes, what you say about people is so true! Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough friends but on the other hand, quality is just so much more important than quantity! ☺

[@jacquec9768]

I have very few things but now they are all my favorite things. I wear my favorite outfit and use my favorite backpack. Before i just saved them for special days. But minimalism made all my days special ones :)

[@ecofriendlia]

Oh yes, I love that! It is the same for me, I stopped saving things for special occasions if I really like them! Even if a lot of things I have are not the perfect one's jet (if that is even possible) I have so many things I love and I am so grateful for ☺

[@jennifermainor8176]

I love your videos. Thank you for sharing your perspective😊

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! That means a lot to me☺

[@nevenakalpaklieva3052]

Thank you for sharing your experience Lia! I have watched a few of your videos and I admire your honesty and positive attitude. You inspire me to keep going towards my way of being a minimalist.. which seemed impossible after having children.Thank you ☺️

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you for your kind comment! I am sure you can do it! Just step by step in the direction or more of what matters and less of the unnecessary stuff ☺

[@nevenakalpaklieva3052]

@rowan orre Thank you Rowan , I am already following their channel:)

[@CeliaAWhite]

Hi Lia, thanks for another great video. Minimalism has helped me in so many ways. I used to own so many stupid things that I would just move around my apartment. What a waste of time! And I can clean my apartment in half the time. I would love for you to do a day in the life video. Also, some knitting lessons would be so awesome. What is your advice on holiday decor?

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you, I will think about the recommendations☺ I do have some Christmas decor just because my son loves it but other than that we don't really decorate our apartment. I think even as a minimalist you can have decor items for many different occasions if I loved decor I would maybe restrict the space it can take up if I felt overwhelmed with the amount... But you could even have decor as 50% of your belongings if it makes you happy 😉

[@Woeschhuesli]

You can easily use nature to decorate and then compost it,..

[@papaya8634]

I have christmas decor that doesn't really take space. Just one candle in a beautiful glass and a hanging decor near the window. You can also use a plant that you already own instead of a christmas tree. It can look very beautiful AND funny to hang baubles etc on your plants in apartment and you will have this memory all over the year whenever you see your plant. ;)

[@wendymalatios8907]

Celia White just don't have any

[@zensascha8690]

Tolles Video!

[@ecofriendlia]

Danke☺️

[@pamelamyers9634]

Finally, I've been hanging on to my expensive work clothes. I retired 4 years ago. I was going to take them to a consignment shop, but they are greedy. I found a program that clothes women who are coming out of prison and looking for work.

[@ElvaCabriales]

Hi Lia! I was wondering, now that you have more time, don't you feel bored sometimes? Or like, are there moments where you don't find something to do? Because it has happened to me and I think I kinda let things get a little messy and full so that I have something do clean :s What activities do you usually do? Great video btw!:)

[@ecofriendlia]

I understand what you mean, usually, I am not bored just because I have a son who always wants to play with me... And then I also enjoy reading, being in nature, learning things, handcrafting, and also sometimes doing nothing. But also boredom seems to be a very creative state of mind, I usually have the best ideas when I am bored ☺

[@user-lx7ul5ft7y]

Wow - Lia, I can relate to all 15 of these points. Great to have them clarified once again. Just a ? In your Birthday video you mentioned, you do not keep books. How do you manage this being a University student. Or go you only use the Uni Library and the internet? Kind greetings from hot and rainy Zurich.

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! Yes, I usually just use the library, I had to buy three books during my studies and just sold or gave them away again after I didn't need them anymore

[@user-lx7ul5ft7y]

@@ecofriendlia I also no longer keep books - just use libraries. I am a minimalist. But read that we only use 20% of our clothes. Whereas the other 80% just takes up space in a cupboard. I agree with this. So think am on my way to unconsciously becoming a minimal minimalist 😁 Apart from very basic furniture and kitchen things that are in fact minimal but well used. Much love and have a super week.

[@Msemptymind12]

Hi Lia, thank you for your inspiring videos :) I'm trying to be more minimalistic in my life because I got overwhelmed of all the stuff I owned (and still own). Still a long way to go for me. May I ask how old you are?

[@ecofriendlia]

Thank you! I am glad you liked the video! I just turned 25 ☺️

[@jeremylitten5145]

Question: Do you have any problems hiking in your boots? I got the same ones but Im worried the tread isnt enough

[@ecofriendlia]

The winter boots or the Scarpa sneaker/hiking show? I mostly use my scarpas for hiking and they are really good they just don't protect my ankles enough and are not high enough when I am in really high mountains with snow and lose rocks, but that doesn't happen too ofter. The boots, I haven't been using on major hikes so I can't really say too much about their performance☺

[@neta565]

Hi Lia, I'm quite new to your channel and heard you say in an earlier video you have a son. I've not seen him in your videos, how old is he? How do you apply minimalism to him? I have an 8 and 10 year old boys.😀

[@ecofriendlia]

The video about minimalism and kids is going online tomorrow! But I pretty much don't apply minimalism to him, since he has a lot of his own opinions of what he wants. He is six and I just talk to him about his stuff and encourage him to think if he wants the things he has(especially if he doesn't want to put them back and clean his room or if he wants to redecorate or something like this) and in general I just want him to learn that stuff is not everything and that being mindful about what we keep around us can have a huge positive impact ☺

[@neta565]

@@ecofriendlia hi lia, thanks for replying! Looking forward to the video!😊

[@annaadamska8645]

in cheneral

[@SpecsMcGee]

Obchects ... what a charming accent 🥰