“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…
Pat says
I have been a minimalist now for a couple years for most all of the reasons listed above. The bottom line, I have never been more happy. My life is simple, peaceful, serene. I have very little stress and I have the time to do the things I want to do. I am no longer tied to a job. I live well on less than $1000 per month. Instead of constantly working to pay for “stuff”, I have a life. Long story short, I traded my Corvette, Boat, and large house (all with large payments) for an old toyota, a bicycle, a kayak, and a small rv.
I have bee following Becoming Minimalist and Zenhabits now for sometime now, and i so appreciate the insight and inspiration. It has truly changed my life.
Sasha Forbes says
I completely agree with all the above.
I might add also the increased Eastern influence (ie Buddhism). My journey into this world has gone hand in hand with my increased minimalism.
Sasha
SimplySasha79.blogspot.com
Joyce says
I agree with all of your points and might add my own. I think when we are able to love ourselves, we realize we don’t need to surround ourselves with STUFF! Clean out the inner baggage and then it’s much easier to clean up the outside. Love your blog.
Lavonne says
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is fantastic,
as well as the content!
Jan VDM says
Today I gave a bag with fake flowers and plants to my mother.
I threw a lot of crap away and my parents said, ‘but Jan that is crazy, so I gave my clutter to them, right know I am becoming a real minimalist.
Also with the helpt of this site!
I like it!
I even think about selling my scooter!
Because I drive like a maniac.
Had some accidents by falling.
But the idea by only having my koga trekking bike.
Just makes me glad.’
Erik Johnson says
Technology/computing advances are big. Software replaces hardware every day. My office is two tables, two chairs and a computer.
Jan VD M says
You inspire me to do the same!
I am on the path of a minimalistic lifesttyle since 2010.
But, right know I want that more and more.
I do also write in my own language.
And it just frees yourself of every bull crap that is on our society.
Since I follow you on FB, I see the truth in minimalism!
Thank you very much.
And may the Lord Bless you and keep you in His presence.
Jan.
Nancy McFall says
Jan, I’m just writing to let you know that after sitting at my computer and reading all the comments that your’s is the FIRST mention I have seen of our Lord. I was beginning to be concerned. I hope thoughts aren’t removing Him from our mind and life. Please say a little prayer for this concern i’m having. God bless.
peaceseeker says
I recently took an interest in minimalism and began searching the web. It is a lifestyle I am excited to journey. For one thing, I have recently opened a business, and wanted to be able to spend more quality time with my family, as well as doing things that interested me. I was finding that when i wasn’t working, i was completely stressed about the “stuff” that was flooding my life. It seemed that cleaning was sucking all the fun out of life. I found myself using everybit of spare time, moving “stuff”, cleaning “stuff”, buying “stuff”,
Needing “stuff”, did i mention Cleaning, cleaning, and stressing abut cleaning. Slowely I am using my spare time to eliminate the “stuff”. It’s been a real eye opening experience, as i feel a sense of freedom i never felt. My hope is not to be an extreme mininimalist (ie. 100 item), but to elimate all clutter, and keep only what i need. To live without distraction. I only wish i did this sooner.
Vanessa says
Great post. I’ve just hit the point where I’m taking minimalism seriously. I’d been following Zenhabits for a while but only recently have I felt the push to finally get rid of my excessive crap! I’m glad I stumbled upon this blog, I’m looovin your writing topics. Good stuff! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Leslie says
This is a great list! I’m a 15 year old who has recently decided to go simple and minimal. I was greatly inspired by blogs such as yours. If you guys had never started these sites than I would have heard of this thing called “minimalism.” I started my own personal developement/simplicity site to share and document my journey along the way. It’d be awesome if you’d check it out at radicalturtle.com. I’m now getting rid of so much of my stuff that has accumulated over the course of my life and it’s been soothing to say the least.