“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…
Pablo says
The minimalism movement is really growing at a fast pace! Already crossed the barriers of language. Now there are a few minimalist blogs (like mine) in spanish. Thanks for spreading the power of living a minimalist life.
Courtney Carver says
All great reasons but number 10 is at the top of the list for me. Less stuff = more space and time in the home, heart and mind!
thanks for a great post!
Courtney
Gip @ So Much More says
I’ve struggled with whether to label myself a minimalist — it seems silly when so much of my life is still out of control — but I’m liking the label more everyday.
Eliminating distractions. That’s what it’s all about for me.
Gip Plaster
So Much More
Todd Schnick says
Thanks for this. All of those points matter, but for me, it really boils down to removing the clutter and distractions to achieve an inner peace.
The cool thing is, this is different for everyone…
Martijn says
I’m missing one reason and that is the growing need for information management in your personal and professional life. The internet has created an overload of information which is wreaking havoc with the concentration of a lot of people. I am one of them. As a student good concentration equals good grades. I got my concentration back with minimalism by creating an environment with as little distraction as possible. It was only later that I embraced it as a lifestyle.
joshua becker says
Good point Martijn. I originally had “the need for more focus” as one of my original points, but just decided to fold it into #7. It now reads two words long: less distraction.
Adventure-Some Matthew says
I’ve always liked the idea of minimalism, but struggle with my packrat-ism. My wife is a natural minimalist and helps guide me away from the p-rat.
This is a great list of reasons, any which by itself would be sufficient to try minimalism. Together, how could one not be interested?
Jarkko Laine says
These are all great reasons to become minimalist (my reasons were listed too :).
However, what I love most about the reasons listed and your finding that minimalism is growing at an awesome pace is what it tells about today’s attitudes: minimalism has a lot to do with understanding that there is more to life than stuff and pursuing meaning. So, the fact that minimalism is growing fast tells me that there is still hope for this world: more people are taking life and their part in it more seriously and deciding to live according to what they believe in. And if this is true for all of / a big part of Gen Y, like that first link proposes, it’s awesome.
On a side note, I just finished reading your book, and I must say I loved it. Like you probably remember from our earlier discussion on RowdyKittens, I had my doubts about what “rational minimalism” means, but (in addition to the discussion) the book changed my mind. Rational minimalism like you describe it has nothing to do with faking it, and everything to do with making minimalism work. Great stuff!
joshua becker says
I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I enjoyed writing it.
Luke @ simplifi.de says
I hope number 7 is the one that’s driving the uprise of true minimalism right now, and will continue to in the future.
I wonder sometimes how many people getting into the minimalist movement are doing it out of necessity because of numbers 1 and 3, and as soon as that’s over, will go back to non-simple ways of life…
joshua becker says
I agree Luke. Some of the reasons listed above have more staying power than others. On the bright side, I do think the minimalist lifestyle has inherent value in itself. And no matter what reason people enter it, they may continue to stay because of the benefits they have experienced even then their income level changes.
Luke @ simplifi.de says
That’s true, I thought about that… I don’t know why anyone would ever want to go back! :-)
Kris says
My impression is that the world’s religions also teach that people shouldn’t be ‘beholden’ to possessions and that there’s value in giving things–and even yourself–away.
dysfunction over says
Stay with this guys, you’re helping a lot of people.
Bill Gerlach says
Joshua — Many, many thanks for mentioning The New Pursuit! I am extremely honored. It’s through the inspiration that you and so many others are giving that has allowed me — and so many people — to begin these journeys. Thanks again. Be well!
Brianne Villano says
All of these have crossed my mind at one point or another and the reaction they evoked in me was fear. I would much rather sell my home and rent, and pay down my debt, than to have it taken from me if something were to befall me that would disturb the fragile waters of my paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.
So all of your points in combination with sheer fear have forced me to make some serious changes that will no doubt benefit me in both the short and long term. Luckily, I am 28 with no sigO or kids (well, one furkid) to be responsible for so I am able to implement these changes quickly and without discussion.
You are absolutely right. People are forced to think of new solutions when they are faced with uncertainty and unrealistic lifestyles with no sustainability. Personally, I think the best solutions are born when we are trapped up against a wall and have to find a way out. Let’s hope we can do it both individually and collectively.