Minimalism is a means to a bigger life, not a smaller one.
There are many misconceptions about minimalism—both from people on the outside of the movement and from some who are just beginning to pursue the lifestyle.
One such misconception is that minimalism is a means to check out of life or check out of society.
Many seem to assume the goal of minimalism is to sit on a beach somewhere for the rest of their days. But this is not the best way to view minimalism—at least not in my opinion.
In fact, when I wrote The More of Less, my only request of the publisher was to not include a picture of recliners of a beach on the cover. “Checking out of life is not what this book is about,” I repeatedly said to the designers.
Just the opposite.
Minimalism frees up our finite resources so we can pursue more important things in life than physical possessions. It frees up our money and our time, our energy and our focus. It brings intentionality into our life.
It frees us up to pursue our greatest passions and it frees us to pursue those things in life that bring real joy and real meaning and real significance and real fulfillment and real happiness.
And the place that we’re going to find the most meaning and fulfillment is in helping others, in serving others, in giving to others, and in being the best member of society that we can possibly be.
If you are just getting started on your journey to minimalism, please don’t see it as a way to check out of society and life.
Instead, see it as a way to live a bigger life—focused on others and focused on the things that actually matter.
Am trying to look at Money as a tool.
Money, like any tool, has the ability to help me, if used correctly and safely.
Used mindfully, it can bring joy.
But like a sharp knife, used incorrectly, it can bring much grief, unhappiness and pain.
I am all in with “Less is more”.
Peace, Strength and Joy be with you all.
Wise thinking.
…
I hear a lot of people hear talking about the regrets of spending so much money. To me it is just a means to an end, and as long as I have enough for food and shelter, I don’t think much about it.
We all make mistakes but the point is to learn from them, and get past it.
Long ago we had a different kind of society. There wasn’t resource available for extras. People were simply preoccupied with just living; having enough for food, shelter… With all the stuff came responsibility.
Material abundance can cause us to loose something fundamental – the time and funds for personal enrichment and pursuits. Minimalism gives back to basics a whole new meaning ?
Val,
So agree.
Thank you for clarifying that sitting in a chair by the beach is not the intent of minimalism. I have been giving a lot of stuff away recently and feel a burden being lifted. One of the regrets that came up that needs inner work is how much money I wasted. Your blog relating to this regret supported me to keep shedding. My inner work is about “That was then and this in now.” What have I learned from this regret? This way I can put things in perspective and heal.
This sharing is one of the ways I serve today. :)
Wonderful post and reply. Iris or Joshua, could you please share a link to the post about regret? I’m almost 60 and filled with time and money regrets about my decidedly non-minimalist past. I know in my head that I can only change my future, not my past, but I need to stop beating myself up over it. Thanks!
The French frog is back!
[I didn’t dare to comment anymore because I found my English bad …
I decided to comment anyway! Down with the complexes!]
About your post you say :
One such misconception is that minimalism is a means to check out of life or check out of society.
Many seem to assume the goal of minimalism is to sit on a beach somewhere for the rest of their days. But this is not the best way to view minimalism—at least not in my opinion.
But you know, I think this misconception is the same with the money.
For a lot of people money is the finality (oops… french mistake?).
They don’t understand that money not must be the master but a means.
If you do this mistake with money, I think you will do the same with minimalism.
It’s important to see the difference between means and what we really want to do with our life.
If you understand that you will be rich : of time, experience, relationship. With you for you and for the others.
Thank you, Joshua, for your work !
Au revoir from France !
Time is money, and experience, relationship are trades or soexchanges. I am in a francophone country and lost the practice of my english. this is what i think about money and what to do with it Services are better because you do something to help and then the other person can offer the same to you. No need for money. You can do this with clutters, furnitures, appliances, or at thrift stores. I find this enjoyable when the services is practically when you need the most. I just found that people who use other people to make benefit are evil. So it is, of course, very important to see the difference between means and what we really want to do with our life. Thank you for your hlepful comment.
While sitting on the beach for the rest of my life does sound ideal, I do agree that it shouldnt be the WHY.
Truly, isolation on an empty beach sounds like heaven to me! I would love that life as I feel most at peace by the ocean. But reality is a different thing and I am far from the ocean. So minimalism brings me what peace I can achieve in the here and now. Not being possessed by my possessions is is very freeing.
I had been a Gandhi follower from when I was 21. Yes it is very freeing and am leading a happy satisfied life. For me it also makes me a better Christian. Money was never my goal and always lived within my means. I am careful in my usage of things hence need very little. My dad taught us waste not want not. Yes I have never wanted!!!!!! Now at 67 , I enjoyed reading what you wrote above and wanted to share my experience!
I feel like I’ve been doing well in my pursuit of living without stuff and in living simply. It has definitely freed up my time! I can focus on what is important to me.
I’m glad I read this article. I’m reminded of what I need to work on. The thing that I need to work on now is serving and giving. I know that the times that I’ve given to others I’ve felt real joy. Seeing others happy, or at least make them feel less unhappy, really does bring a smile.