The short answer is yes. Minimalism teaches people to only keep useful things. It also teaches them that useless things only waste resources. This often shows people that they have too many things. After they remove the unnecessary things, they realize that they have enough. This realization changes their perspectives in ways that can make them better people. We will look at some of the changes. We will also look at the ways it makes them better people. So here are some of those changes that can make you a better person:
It makes you satisfied with what you have.
Before you declutter, you will realize that you had too many things. That is why you will get rid of some of them. Once you declutter, you will realize that you have enough of what you need. You will also realize that you will have more money, time, space, and energy. The improvement of your quality of life with fewer things will make you less likely to crave more things.
It makes you less materialistic.
When your life improves with fewer material possessions, it alters your perspective. You start to realize that material things only benefit you if you use them. Otherwise, they become burdens. So, you will realize that more material things will not improve your life. This will reduce any infatuation with material things thus making you less materialistic.
It makes you less likely to be greedy.
Greed is the willingness to use unfair methods to take more than what you need. As a counter-example, someone who uses honest effort to become rich is not greedy. But if they cheat their customers or abuse employees to get rich, then that would be greedy. As a minimalist, you would be less infatuated with material things. Also, you won’t have much interest in things beyond what you need. Also, you would not be willing to treat others unfairly to get them. This will make you less likely to be greedy.
It makes you value people over things.
As a minimalist, you will realize material things don’t bring happiness or fulfillment. Instead, you will know that happiness and fulfillment come from experiences. Also, many of these experiences include spending time with people. Material things are just tools to enhance these experiences. So, you will more likely to start loving people and using things and not vice versa.
It makes you more impressed by character and less by possessions.
As I said before, you will find more value in experiences than things. Also, many of these experiences involve people. The character of these people will affect your enjoyment with them. But whatever they own will not be as important. So, you will be more impressed by their character than by what they own. This will make you less likely to be shallow.
It makes you more thankful.
If your comfort needs are met, then you most likely have enough of what you need. If something needs replacement, then replace it and you will again have everything you need. This will give a level of satisfaction that cannot come from the latest gadget or fashion trend. You will focus more on what you have and less on what you don’t. Minimalism will make you realize how fortunate you are.
It makes you less likely to be envious.
Envy is the resentment of others for what is rightfully theirs while wishing it was yours. It is a type of malice that degrades the character of the person who feels it. If you feel it, it will cause you to focus on what others have instead of what you have. But minimalism teaches you to focus on what you have that is useful. Also, minimalism shows that anything beyond what you use is a burden. So there is little or no need to envy someone else for what they have.
It encourages you to be kind.
Minimalism teaches you that experiences contribute more to your happiness than material things. Also, some of the most important experiences are those that you share with other people. We all know that people are more likely to want to be around you if you are kind than if you are mean. Besides, minimalism also teaches you to place a high value on people. This is another way minimalism encourages you to be kind.
In summary, minimalism makes you realize that you have enough. This changes your perspective in many ways such as the following:
It makes you satisfied with what you have.
It makes you less materialistic.
It makes you less likely to be greedy.
It makes you value people over things.
It makes you more impressed by character and less by possessions.
It makes you more thankful.
It makes you less likely to be envious.
It encourages you to be kind.
With these changes, there is no question that minimalism can make you a better person.