We’ve all heard the simple question “does money buy happiness.” Some would answer that question with a simple yes, going on to cite objects or experiences that triggered a degree of happiness within their life. Others would would respond with a swift no, citing an eternal void that can’t be filled with money alone. This answer is compatible with minimalism.
Minimalism
Recently, designers and artists have found favor in art created from a “minimalist” point-of-view.
The saying “less is more” is often heard within these artist driven discourse communities. That same saying is frequently used when examining the life of a common “minimalist.” Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, or “The Minimalists,” describe 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.”
Let’s first look at some common misconceptions about minimalism and then we’ll look at what minimalism can look like in a “lifestyle setting.”
What Minimalism is not:
There are a plethora of common misconceptions about minimalism. Without going through a long laundry list of them, let’s look at the 4 most popular misconceptions of minimalism.
- Minimalism is living with the BARE minimum
- Minimalism means never spending money
- Minimalism means being boring
- Only the rich can choose to live a minimalist lifestyle
Minimalism isn’t about deprivation, but it also isn’t something you need to be rich to participate in.
What Minimalism is:
Minimalism can take a different form in everyone. Knowing this, let’s take a look at some characteristics of a minimalist lifestyle.
1. Living being self-aware of what they’re spending their money on.
2. Decluttering in order to save what is truly valuable
3. Holding onto things that either serve a specific purpose or spur eternal joy
4. Molding and curating this lifestyle that makes the most sense to them
It is about focusing on why we have the things we have rather than a rigid set of rules. David can be a minimalist who has 16 items while John can be a minimalist who owns 3,000 things.
