Human beings search for happiness all their lives, but the truth to happiness really lies within.

How many times have you had the urge to shop for something and found that the instant satisfaction about making that purchase only lasted for a short period of time?

Let’s face it we all love giving ourselves a treat from time to time, but we never really realize why we have consumption habits. Consumption really started when our minds started to be manipulated with marketing.

It’s ironic how I studied marketing and every day I am more convinced that consumption is slowly killing the world. Every day we accumulate millions of tons of plastic waste, disposable products fill up landfills, and clothes made out of polyester (plastic) end up unworn in our closets.

But you’re here to learn why learning to live with less actually makes you happier and I’ll tell you why:

Materialism is a marketing tactic that drives the global economy

Unfortunately, mass consumption is everywhere. It drives the way we eat, think and spend our free time. Materialism is derived from marketing tactics that push us to take actions without thinking too much about the consequences. We contribute to global economies by purchasing items every day without even realizing it.

Every time you make a purchase it’s like you’re making a vote for that specific company to keep manufacturing the product you bought.

But you know better than that. Every time you walk into a store you should be aware that you have the power to make decisions with your pocket. You don’t need to buy that dress that is on sale just because a company needs to get rid of their dead stock.

You have the power to turn down an irresistible offer.

If you learn to avoid the noise you’ll learn to appreciate what is already in front of you

Avoiding the noise is the hardest part we will have as human beings to actually change global demands.

Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop trying to fit into a perfect world with designer shoes, handbags and standards. Don’t let labels define who you are.

Personally, I’ve discovered that once I started avoiding the noise, skipping those Instagram ads, unsubscribing from my favorite fast fashion brands I began to feel more calm and centered. I began to appreciate the love in handmade items by artisans in Mexico. I began to value hard work.

I began to notice and appreciate the items that I already had in my life. I began to pursue spending my money in experiences and not material things. I began to enjoy a nice walk outdoors instead of an hour wasted on social media, and the list could go on and on.

Once you practice avoiding the noise, you’ll be making room for more intentional things

The basics of minimalism is living with less to make room for more. But “more” in a non-material meaning. More time. More energy. More love. More mindfulness.

Start thinking of ways that you can bring more meaning into your life. Make a list of what brings meaning to your life and you’ll notice that in the end it’s not the material things that you buy. Money doesn’t buy happiness, or at least it doesn’t for me.

Living with less sparks your creativity

The more you practice living with less, it will force you to become more creative with what you already own. Let’s say you’ll find 4 ways to style a dress all year long instead of buying one for every season.

Let’s say you’ll find a way to reduce your waste within your home. Let’s say you’ll find ways to save hundreds of dollars by only planning intentional purchases, and after a while you can use that budget to give yourself a meaningful experience gift.

Starting a journey to avoid the noise is not easy. We live in a society governed by mass consumption and there will always be distractions that will make us feel insecure, unsuccessful and lonely. But remember that you have the most important gift of all: to make choices.

I hope you find in your own way a path to make it work, I am sure that if you learn to release yourself from materialism in order to make room for more life you will always find a reason to smile.

If you’d like to read more about living a mindful life, check out my blog The Mindful Choice or subscribe to my newsletter.