“Do you want to change the world? Then change yourself first.” – Sri Chinmoy
I’m around the topic every day. I blog about minimalism and read blogs about minimalism. I tweet about it and follow others who tweet about it. I have a tumblr blog dedicated to the topic. And I publish a newsletter every other week for influencers desiring to promote simple living. I am very much in-tune with the simplicity/minimalism movement. And the movement is growing… almost everyday.
Luckily, I am not alone in my assessment. Others are also making the same observations (Meet Generation M, The Rising Trend of Minimalist Marketing). New blogs are popping up almost every day . New books are being written at a furious pace. And more and more people are being attracted to the lifestyle and adopting minimalist principles.
To understand why, consider these 10 Reasons Why Minimalism is Growing:
1. Worldwide Financial Turmoil – Rising unemployment, stagnant wages, and falling stock prices have forced families and individuals to reevaluate their purchases. Many have begun living on tighter budgets. As a result, many consumers are choosing to identify the difference between essential and nonessential purchases.
2. Environmental Concern – Many people are choosing to live a minimalist life out of concern for the environment. They understand that less consumption equals less use of the earth’s natural resources. And they are choosing to make a difference rather than stand idly by on the sidelines.
3. High Levels of Personal Debt – After years and years of living beyond our means, people are beginning to get the picture. Many are wisely choosing to get out from under the crushing weight of debt. The wide-spread popularity of Dave Ramsey and Adam Baker is proof of that growing trend. And as a means to reach that end, people are choosing to buy less and save more. It is a trend that hopefully continues.
4. Increased Global Social Awareness – Injustice, poverty, and malnutrition have always existed. But as new technology has made the world smaller by making global images/news more accessible, our awareness of the disparity has increased. Some are responding to the call and using their finances to make a difference on a global scale by feeding the hungry, providing clean drinking water, fighting back epidemics, and speaking up for the voiceless wherever it is needed.
5. Minimalist Art / Modern Aesthetics – Good art enters the soul and makes new ideas plausible. The term “minimalist art” (first used in 1929) experienced its major growth during the 1960’s and 1970’s when stripping art down to its fundamental features began showing up in painting/sculpting/music. Soon, it transcended into design and architecture and began to define the term: modern design. As a result, it has entered our soul and made the idea of minimalist principles plausible as a lifestyle as well.
6. Personal Computing Advances – Personal computing advances have made minimalism far easier than ever before. Today, computers replace the need for cd’s, dvd’s, paper files, photo albums, calendars, calculator, books, phone books, notebooks, newspapers, etc. The inherent necessity of keeping these physical items in our home is a thing of the past. Thank goodness.
7. The Benefits are Desired Today More than Ever – As our world continues to grow in complexity, there is far greater personal demand for many of the benefits that minimalism offers. Minimalism offers a life with less stress, less distraction, more freedom, and more time. All things that people today are desperately searching for more than ever.
8. More Online Presence – Proponents of the minimalist lifestyle are making it more accessible and attractive to others by writing about their experiences online. Bloggers such as Leo Babauta, Dave Bruno, Colin Wright and Tammy Strobel are making it easier than ever to find advice, encouragement, and inspiration for the minimalist lifestyle.
9. New Lifestyles Are Available Like Never Before – The Internet is making new lifestyles possible. No longer do people have to be tied down to a typical 9-5 job. Darren Rowse makes his living helping others become profitable bloggers. Chris Guillebeau will teach anyone to start their own small business. Countless others are choosing to make their living online. And many of them are choosing minimalism to make these lifestyle choices more accessible. After all, traveling the world becomes much easier when all of your belongings fit into a backpack.
10. The Realization There’s More to Life Than Possessions – Consumerism is alive and well. Advertisers continue to tell us that our next purchase will bring us satisfaction and people continue to believe it. But there is a growing trend of thoughtful people who are beginning to see through the falsehood and challenge this claim. They have tried finding happiness through possessions during the world’s latest economic boom… and have been left unfulfilled. As a result, they are beginning to seek happiness and fulfillment in other places: relationships, social causes, and significance.
In case you are still on the fence concerning the power of living a minimalist life, it may be helpful for you to consider these reasons why minimalism is growing as 10 Reasons Why You Should Become a Minimalist. After all, it only takes one…
Gil says
Josh..I have a myriad of reasons for adopting the minimalist lifestyle.
However, from a moral and personal standpoint, shedding things has definitely made me much more aware of the needs of others and in turn, has transformed me into a person with a spirit of giving.
I am also cognizant how my consumption affects the environment and the effect that said consumption has on my footprint. In reality, it’s not about “me” any longer.
Bob says
This is an excellent list, my number one driving force is the underlying freedom that I hope to gain from exercising the “stuff” demons from my life. I have two kids (10 & 12) and already see the attitudes of obsessive acquiring filter down from parents to kids at this age. 12 year olds who are now on to their 3rd cell phone, 10 year olds with arms full of silly bands. I’m trying to lead by example and show my kids that without the obsessive desire to get more stuff, you have the freedom to live creatively. Anyone want to buy my dvd collection???
Zengirl @ Heart and Mind says
I agree, that minimalism is good and gaining widespread media. However I think somewhere along the line, minimalism has become a race or competition which I think is wrong and wrote about in my blog.
Simplicity of minimalism has lost its true message somewhere along the media hype. Just my 2 cents.
Vincent - B-basic.com (from the Netherlands) says
I especially agree with the environmental reason!
Less consumption does help earths resources!
Jess @minimalistmum says
I’m having so much fun with my journey to minimalism! Thanks for all your inspiration…
Jess says
I’m having so much fun with my journey to minimalism! Thanks for all your inspiration…
Edward Paz says
Thanks for the post Joshua!
Thanks to bloggers like you, Everett, and Leo, each day I making steps towards a more minimal lifestyle.
Thank you for sharing your journey!
Lynn Fang says
It’s true, the minimalist movement in the blogosphere has influenced me a great deal, and continues to do so. My interest in living more eco-consciously resonates well with this movement. Minimalist bloggers have definitely planted a seed within me, and for that I am very grateful to the blogosphere. Thank you for your awesome posts.
Tammy Strobel says
Thanks for the link love! I appreciate it. :)
Keep up the awesome writing!
Mac_BetH says
11. Getting a good feeling for yourself? ;-)