Over the summer, I watched the documentary Minimalism on Netflix. The documentary focuses on Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, The Minimalists, who define minimalism as “a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.”

Before you get scared away by the idea of minimalism, know that there is no set of rules. Every person who adopts the lifestyle of minimalism lives a completely different life. Choose what is important to you, and implement minimalism into your life in a big or small way. Here are ten benefits you will reap:

1. Freedom

The Minimalists describe minimalism as “freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom.” Sounds good to me.

2. A visually pleasing life

Getting rid of stuff doesn't mean you have to live in a plain boring way. Decorating your house or creating a personal style in a minimalistic manner always turns out cute, cool, and pleasing to the eye and mind. Just Pinterest it.

3. Save money

With all of the money you save from only purchasing essentials, you will be able to travel, experience, and make memories that are worth way more than any possession.

4. Save time

Less stuff means less time cleaning. Less stuff means less time deciding what to wear. Less stuff means less time trying to find that thing you misplaced. And the one thing that everyone always needs is more time.

5. Ridding yourself of distractions

Goodbye to all of the toxic, unnecessary things keeping you from being the most productive you there can be.

6. Find purpose, delete clutter

In the process, you will get to know yourself much deeper, the real you hiding behind all of the things and all of the stuff. You will discover your passions, and you will have the time and money to pursue them.

7. Love to our planet

Becoming a minimalist is bigger than ourselves. We will stop contributing to a greedy society and start taking big steps in taking care of the earth and its creatures.

8. Stress less

Less clutter = less stress. You will have space to breathe and the opportunity to clear your mind.

9. Focus on yourself and your relationships

You will grow as an individual and be able to focus on your physical and mental health. You will also have more time and heart to give to the people most important to you.

10. A happier you

Eliminating all of the discontents, eliminating comparing yourself to others, eliminating any ties to an unfortunate past: Taking control of your own life will leave you lighter and fulfilled.

Live simply. Live now.