Note: This is a guest post by Mike Donghia of This Evergreen Home.
On the surface, the message of minimalism is about less stuff.
But dig a little deeper and it’s clear that for most of us trying to live simply, minimalism is a means to an end.
Minimalism is a pathway, not a destination. It frees up your time, money, and energy to pursue more of what matters most to you.
How you choose to invest that newfound wealth is a separate matter altogether. The wealth you attain can just as easily be used to pursue a frivolous life, as one that is rich in meaning.
The former I’ll call cannibalistic wealth, for reasons I’ll get into shortly, and the latter I’ll call true wealth. Let’s dive deeper.
Cannibalistic Wealth
Have you ever noticed how eating a small amount of junk food stimulates your appetite for even more? When it comes to junk foods like Pringles or Oreo cookies, it’s easier to eat none than to stop at one.
Certain kinds of pleasure are like that. The pleasure itself is undeniable, but doesn’t quite scratch the itch, and so you go back for more.
In the case of junk food, it’s clear what would happen if this became a regular pattern. In order to maintain the pleasure of eating whatever you want, whenever you want, you would have to sacrifice other pleasures— like the enjoyment of good health, regular energy, and a wider palette of tastes.
That’s what I call cannibalistic wealth. It is a form of wealth that, given enough room to expand, will consume other forms of wealth that you enjoy.
To carry the financial imagery just a bit further, when you invest heavily into cannibalistic wealth, it’s possible to lower your overall net worth rather than raise it.
Here are some examples to be aware of:
Luxury goods and experiences. You can make wonderful memories on an extravagant vacation, splurging at an expensive restaurant, or purchasing a beautifully crafted item. But if you allow yourself to expect this level of experience, you may be trading away your ability to enjoy simpler, less-refined pleasures in the company of those you love.
Status and popularity. Who doesn’t love to be appreciated, enjoyed, and even respected? It is natural and good to occasionally enjoy the spotlight when it is pointed at you. But make this one of your highest aims in life, and you may lose a sense of inner contentment that doesn’t depend on the applause of others.
Comfort and ease. We all have a psychological need for comfort to some degree, and rest is an important and beautiful aspect of being human. But make comfort your true north, and you will come to resent anything that looks like hard work or inconvenience. And let’s face it, so many good things in life require the messy struggle of discomfort to produce good fruit.
Just to be clear, nothing in this list is necessarily bad. There is nothing wrong with enjoying them provided you are able to enjoy them with the right perspective. My personal approach is to try to enjoy these things as pleasant surprises when they arrive in my life, but not to put too much time seeking them out. Far better to invest in wealth that is more robust.
True Wealth
True wealth is the real deal.
While it is possible to corrupt these forms of wealth, and turn them into something they were not meant to be, they tend to be enjoyed more innocently.
Instead of robbing you of other pleasures as you enjoy them more frequently, they tend to expand your world, compound your happiness, and add richness to your life.
Here is just a small sample of the kinds of true wealth you might pursue:
Physical energy. Ample energy to live your life with full engagement.
Worryless sleep. Rest your head on your pillow in peace.
A project of your own. A bit of work that is untainted by the demands of others.
A hearty appetite. Nothing better than to arrive at a good meal with a strong hunger.
Mutual intimacy. Drawing close to another human being through conversation or touch.
Having enough. The realization that you have all the raw materials you need for a meaningful life.
Deep laughter. Found most often alongside close friends in unrushed environments.
Occasional surprises. Enough to keep alive your child-like sense of wonder.
Solid hope. Something to look forward to that will endure.
Conclusion
Minimalism is great, but it’s not enough on its own. Practicing minimalism will not automatically make you content or turn you into a better person.
The choice is up to you to decide the kinds of wealth you will pursue with the freedom that a simpler life enables.
I hope you will choose wisely and invest into wealth that multiplies life both for you and those around you.
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Mike (and his wife, Mollie) blog at This Evergreen Home where they share their experience with living simply, intentionally, and relationally in this modern world. You can follow along by subscribing to their twice-weekly newsletter.
Johnson says
Really enjoyed this post. I’m so glad that the focus on true wealth highlights the importance of family, friends, laughter and health. The best things in life really are free :)
Emma says
Really enjoyed this post. I’m so glad that the focus on true wealth highlights the importance of family, friends, laughter and health. The best things in life really are free :)
Janet Rucka-White says
Mike-
Fantastic post. I appreciate that you spoke about the importance of being a good steward of the rewards of minimalism. While simplifying and making room for the important things is wonderful, there IS a next step-actually spending our resources on the important things!
You captured this wonderfully by differentiating between true wealth and cannibalistic wealth. It is a challenge to keep true wealth at the forefront of our attention, especially if we haven’t learned the difference between the two. But man, don’t they *feel* different? If we learn to be quiet enough and pay attention we can sense it in our body.
I will reflect on your words often as I continue to par down and hone my focus. Thank you for writing this.
Janet
Mike Donghia says
Well said, Janet. Minimalism can sometimes be pursued as an end in itself– as if all the matters is having a clutter-free home and a clear schedule. Of course, that’s only chapter 1 of the story :-)
P.s. If you haven’t read Joshua’s new book, Things That Matter, it might be right up your alley.
Alvin Rittenhouse says
Don’t forget your spiritual life.
Mike Donghia says
Exactly! I would put that under the “solid hope” category.
Jessalynn Jones says
This is a GREAT post Mike. I appreciate the contrast. The word cannibalistic really makes you think. Does this “wealth” really give back or does it take away things that matter more. I’ve always been amazed at how people will do almost anything for work including basically giving up their life. It’s important for us to remember that money, fame, and comfort are not as important or meaningful as love, hope, friendship, and true life satisfaction.
Mike says
So true. The material wealth gained from work is no substitute for the meaningful things you mentioned. Beyond a certain point of security, you have to ask yourself what it is you’re aiming for.
Sabrina101 says
Thank you for this post. This was exactly what I needed today. Greetings from Germany, Sabrina
MIke Donghia says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sabrina :-)