9 Ways Minimalism Boosts Creativity and Fun

If you’re someone who loves creativity but often feels overwhelmed by clutter, this article is for you. I’m sharing 9 ways minimalism boosts creativity and fun so you can enjoy expressing your artistic self!

CREATIVITY BENEFITS EVERYONE

I’m the first to say that I’m not a creative person and I really don’t enjoy crafting, painting or anything very artistic. I like to think I have a good eye for design and I certainly appreciate it. I nearly did a degree in Art History and still love to visit art galleries in my free time. But, that’s probably the extent of my artyness!

My eldest daughter is very creative and her artwork hangs on my walls, full of colour and character! Although I’m a minimalist, I still like to have bright pops of colour in the home so don’t think that minimalism is boring, dry or bland – it’s anything but!

In fact, as I hope to share in this article, minimalism as a lifestyle actually promotes and encourages free expression, artistic endeavours on many different levels and allows you to prioritise fun and freedom in an otherwise fairly routine every day.

CREATIVITY IN ALL SHAPES AND FORMS

Whenever I write articles, I like to draw on my own experiences as much as possible. So, when I was brainstorming for this article, I initially felt a bit stuck in all honesty. As I’m not creative, how could I write about creativity – and then it struck me.

This blog is probably where I pour out my creativity – in words and messages if not in drawings and needlework. So, as you read this article, think about different ways that creativity plays out for you. Think outside the box and be creative (!). Maybe it’s hosting a book club, or cooking different recipes?

9 WAYS MINIMALIST BOOSTS CREATIVITY AND FUN

And, I’ve found many things about my minimalist home and life have helped me blog better and more enjoyably. I’m sharing them here with you today in case you need some ideas to bring a little creativity and fun back into your life!

1. Creates Mental Space For Ideas and Inspiration

When your environment is clutter-free, your mind follows suit. A clean, organised space helps eliminate distractions, allowing you to focus better on being creative. Imagine trying to paint a masterpiece while surrounded by piles of unrelated stuff, or in my case, blog about clearing clutter when I’m sitting at a cluttered desk. Instead of feeling inspired and motivated, I just feel overwhelmed by stuff with a foggy brain!

Minimalism clears the way for a clear mind and sharp focus. This clarity is crucial when you’re working on something that requires deep thought and concentration like never missing a cross-stitch, or in my case, writing a blog post that doesn’t repeat itself or go round in circles.

By removing the excess, you create a space where your mind can wander freely, leading to more innovative and creative ideas.

Sometimes I deliberately open my notebook at a blank sheet of paper just to give my mind and self space to come up with ideas. Sometimes I’ll shut my eyes and close my thoughts for the day and open them to brainstorming for my blog.

It’s like having a blank canvas for your mind like you’d start with a blank canvas for a painting.

2. Reduces Distraction And Increases Focus

Clutter can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. When you simplify your surroundings, you reduce the mental load. A stress-free mind is more open to new ideas and creative thinking. You’ll find that without the constant worry of organising and maintaining a lot of stuff, your mind has more room to breathe and explore your creativity.

What this means for me is that when I look up from my laptop whilst waiting for inspiration for my next sentence, I definitely don’t want to see a pile of papers or load of laundry. Instead of my next sentence, I’ll just end up stressing about all the things around the house I’ve got to do after I finish.

Less stress means you can approach your creative projects and hobbies with a fresh perspective and more energy.

3. Encourages Mindfulness and Inspiration

Minimalism encourages mindfulness, which is being present in the moment. This practice is really helpful for creativity because it allows you to fully immerse yourself in your creative process. When you’re mindful, you’re more aware of your thoughts and ideas, making it easier to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration before they get submerged by your To Do list.

For me, this also means that I’m focused on the task in hand, coming up with ideas to share with YOU on the blog instead of multi-tasking in my brain on what to cook for dinner and remembering to give the dog her medications.

4. Make The Most Of The Materials

A minimalist lifestyle often involves having fewer but higher-quality items. This principle can be applied to decluttering your creative tools and materials as well like paper, paints and brushes.

When you choose to work with the best quality tools, you can produce better work. High-quality materials not only last longer but also inspire you to create more because they perform better and are often more enjoyable to use. Investing in good tools can be a game-changer for your creative projects.

When I was researching for a new laptop recently, I found that there were just so many to choose from. But, I knew that I wanted something fast, slim and with great graphics. The one I chose was a little more expensive than I’d planned but I happily stayed away from clothes shopping trips so I could save that extra money.

It was an example of how minimalism isn’t about never spending money, or that minimalists are always frugal, but also that minimalism is about being a conscious consumer, practicing mindful shopping and prioritising where and how we spend our money. I use my laptop far more than I’d ever use a pair of fancy earrings that caught my eye recently!

5. More Space To Think And Do

Having fewer items means you have more space, both physically and mentally. This extra space can be a blank canvas for your creativity. Whether it’s a clean desk for tapping away on a keyboard like me or an empty room for dancing your worries away, having space allows you to think bigger and explore new ideas.

For me, physical space can also translate to mental space, giving me the freedom to brainstorm and develop my thoughts without feeling cramped or constrained. What this looks like in reality is that I find it easier to look at the bigger picture of what makes a simple and intentional life, focused on dreams and goals that I aspire to reach, rather than bogged down by the minute details of daily life. A clear physical and mental space helps me do that.

We all have to do the mundane stuff in our every day, and there’s a lot to be said for the mindful practice of home-making and routine, but for creativity and fun, you might want to put those aside for a bit and give yourself space.

It’s also good to take an aerial persective. And, in terms of the creative topic of this article, it’s a bit like standing back to consider your artwork from afar and getting a different experience than if you’re standing right up close to the painting to examine the detail. The same painting looked at from different perspectives can give you totally different reactions.

6. A More Intentional Approach

Minimalism encourages intentionality, meaning you make deliberate choices about what to keep and what to let go of. This intentional approach can spill over into your creative work, helping you to be more selective and purposeful in your creative decisions.

This could be choosing your materials, your subject matter, where you’re going to display your finished project(s). It may even reduce all those half-finished art projects you’ve got lying around the home but don’t know what to do with, or the money you spent during a creative whim on a rainy day.

When you’re intentional about your creative process, you produce work that’s more thoughtful and meaningful and maybe, better quality. For me, this has been key to producing better articles (I hope), that are as helpful as I can make them and give a realistic picture of the ups and downs of simplifying life!

7. Better Use Of Existing Materials and Set-Up

By reducing the number of possessions and extra stuff, minimalism helps you appreciate what you have. This sense of gratitude can boost your creativity by making you more content and satisfied. When you’re not constantly seeking more, you can better appreciate and utilise what you already have.

I’ve found this to be particularly true for my daughter as she’s quite a messy person by nature. When she has too much stuff to manage, she’s much more inclined to ask for more paper and painting materials – probably because she can’t find what she’s looking for or doesn’t really know how much or what she has. When she has a tidier room and less stuff, her art materials are quicker to set up, easier to use and make the most of, which also means she enjoys painting more!

8. Less Consumption And More Creation

Minimalism often involves reducing digital clutter as well. By limiting your screen time and social media use, you can free up more time for creative pursuits. I wrote about the benefits of detoxing from screens recently and it’s amazing what we can turn our brains to when we’re not nose-deep in our devices!

Digital minimalism helps you avoid the constant distractions of notifications and endless scrolling, giving you more uninterrupted time to focus on creativity and fun.

When I’m writing a blog post, I’ll close down all my other tabs including internet browsers and emails, so that I don’t get distracted and lose my train of thought.

9. More Focus on Simple, Creative Pleasures

Finally, minimalism promotes a simpler lifestyle, which can lead to more inspiring and memorable experiences and less materialism and stuff.

By choosing to spend your time and money on experiences rather than things, you open yourself up to new ideas and inspirations. Whether it’s travelling, attending a workshop, or simply spending time in nature, these experiences can fuel your creativity in ways that material possessions cannot. I’m sure I’m not alone in coming back from a walk around the block feeling energised and full of ideas!

CONCLUSION

The before-minimalism-me would be running from A to B with a load of laundry in hand, getting grumpy with the kids and desperate for some me-time. I’d slump into bed at the end of the day, watching TV but not taking it in and still trying to switch my brain off into the early hours.

Nowadays, I still have laundry, work and kids (and probably grumpy moments!) but I also have time for blogging, reading, walking, gardening and listening to my youngest learn the piano. Creativity and fun given priority by clearing clutter and making space for what matters in my every day.

Instead of being bland and boring, this is how minimalism boosts creativity for me. How does minimalism help YOU be more creative and fun-loving? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment below and share your thoughts!

And, if you love creating in a messy environment that gives you freedom of expression and inspiration – I’d love to hear your perspective too.

Don’t forget, minimalism is a great way to live, but I know it’s not the only way that’s right for everyone!