“Change brings opportunity.” —Nido Qubein
Over the past several years, I have had the privilege to introduce the idea of minimalism to a number of people. These introductions have occurred through personal conversation, writing, and speaking opportunities. But no matter how the introduction happens, each time, I feel a little bit renewed.
The idea of “finding more life by owning less stuff” resonates with most people.
But, unfortunately, I also find that for many, this is where their journey ends—at the introduction.
The idea of minimalism may sound attractive, but the first step appears elusive. And is too often, never taken.
There are a wide number of reasons that keep people from taking this first step towards living with less. And while they vary from person-to-person based on personality, history, gender, and worldview, I have found that most of the reasons keeping people from getting started towards minimalism fit into only a handful of categories. In hopes of providing encouragement to some of you, I thought it might be helpful to take a minute to answer most of them:
• Reason: I’ve Never Considered Intentionally Living With Less.
Interest in minimalist living is growing. You can blame it on the economy, technology, environmental-awareness, or blogs such as Zen Habits, Rowdy Kittens, and Be More With Less. It has been exciting to see the movement grow. But the percentages are still small. In the land of suburbia where I live, the idea of intentionally living with less is still a foreign concept. Hearts desire it, but too many minds have yet to be introduced.
Solution: If you ended up reading this post at the urging of a friend, consider yourself introduced. Intentionally living with less results in a life of less debt, less stress, and less anxiety. In exchange, you will discover more time and energy for the things you value most. Your greatest passions will again take their rightful place in your life.
• Reason: But I Don’t Know Where to Start.
For many, the task of minimizing their possessions seems overwhelming. Their minds race to drawers that don’t close, closets that don’t shut, and rooms that are stuffed full of unused things. The idea of decluttering their homes and lives is attractive, even necessary… but the simple obstacle of knowing where to start keeps many from even starting at all.
Solution: Start small and start easy. Find the easiest drawer, closet, or room to declutter and begin there. You don’t need to start with your attic or your basement. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. The task will be too great. Instead, choose the easiest place in your home – even if it is just one drawer. You’ll feel good when you are done (I guarantee it). And that feeling of success and relief will carry you on to the next step… and the next…. and the next… and eventually, even the attic.
• Reason: But I Don’t Have the Time.
Minimizing possessions takes time. You didn’t collect everything in your home over the course of one weekend and it’s going to take longer than one weekend to sort it out and remove the non-essentials. But we live such busy lives these days. Where can we find the time to accomplish such a large task?
Solution: If you can find 15 minutes, you can take the most important step – the first one. Investing just 15-20 minutes to minimize one area of your home is all you need to get started (especially if you have chosen something easy). Again, the immediate sense of calm you will find in owning less will motivate you to find another 15 minutes. If you struggle to even find 15 minutes, try one of these ideas: get up one hour early, take one afternoon off work, turn off the television, or dedicate one Saturday to decluttering. Any one of those options above will help you find more than enough time to get started.
• Reason: But I Could Never Get My Family On-board.
By far, the most common question I receive after speaking about minimalism relates to other family members (especially about husbands and teenagers). The fact that their family members will never go for the idea of living with less seems to outweigh any benefits of implementing it in their own lives.
Encouragement: Your husband/wife/children does not need to fully embrace the idea of minimalism for you to benefit from it. Remember, it is far easier to notice the clutter of others than it is to notice our own. But if you just decide to start with your own personal belongings, you will notice a HUGE difference. You will almost immediately find more time in your life for the things that matter most – even if your kids’ bedroom is still messy. And the more you begin to experience freedom in your life… the more your family members will start to take notice. Just ask my wife.
• Reason: But I Don’t Know What I’d Do With ________.
Another common thought-process I have noticed is that people’s minds often rush to their toughest belongings to minimize. These vary from person to person, but typically resemble sentimental items, books, or hobbies. Over the years, they have collected a large number of items in these particular areas and the thought of having to part with them raises concern… and often stops them from ever taking the first step.
Solution: You don’t have to part with anything until you are ready. And you certainly don’t have to begin by removing the things that mean the most to you. If you are anything like we were, you have a whole house (or at least, a clothes closet) full of things that don’t mean anything to you. They are just taking up space in your home and life. They don’t fit, match, or work anymore. They can easily be removed. Start there. And remember that there is no time limit on this journey. If you are not ready to part with the memories of your past today, don’t worry about it. Maybe you’ll be ready tomorrow… or the day after that.
• Reason: But I’m Afraid of Change.
Got it. Change doesn’t come easy to you. And intentionally deciding to live with less is among the biggest of changes that you could make in your life. It is a counter-cultural way to live life. After being fed millions of advertisements from the world around us promising that more is better, deciding to reject that thinking and live with less is going to require changes – not just in the home where you live, but in almost every aspect of your life going forward.
Solution: Change is never easy. And even though it is inevitable through this journey of life, we seem to avoid it whenever possible. But change comes easier when we realize the rationale behind it. The reasoning provides us with necessary motivation to make the needed changes. When we started out on our minimalist journey, I listed every benefit of minimalism that we were experiencing. The rationale and the reminder of why we were changing our lifestyle pushed us further down the road over and over again. Perhaps, they will provide the necessary foundation for you to embrace change in your life as well.
• Reason: But Minimalism Doesn’t Sound Attractive to Me.
Still, for others, they will never take their first step towards minimalism because the lifestyle does not sound attractive to them. They find no appeal in the idea of intentionally living with less. And believe that they want nothing to do with it.
Solution: I embraced the idea of minimalism because it became apparent to me that the stuff in my life was keeping me from the most important things in my life: faith, family, and friends. And since removing most of the personal possessions from my life, I have found more freedom, energy, and finances to pursue the relationships that mean the most to me. And that applies to this relationship as well. May our differing views on possessions never come between us as friends.
vivian says
this sounds so interesting! i always feel like many Americans are too prodigal and prefer quantity where they forget to appreciate things. I recently joined a new blogging + social networking site called TopicLog. Check out blogs and topics if interested :) athttp://topiclog.com/viviant
Mike | Homeless On Wheels says
It’s nice to see an article like this for people who are just discovering minimalism, offering inspiration to those just embarking on their journey or even merely toying with the idea.
Mama C/Catherine says
Nice post. Every six months I encourage folks on my blog to participate in a “bag a day” for 30 days challenge. It is super satisfying to move out one bag, or bag equivalent (giving an outgrown bike to a neighbor for example) a day. In one month you have an entirely new home, and all it takes is 15 minutes a day. ONe reader said that her and her husband both got into it and it “literally saved our marriage as we suddenly were successful together in doing something we both wanted so deeply.”
I am behind a few days actually… why am I on the computer?
Fiona Cee says
that is one of my biggest DISTRACTIONS. ”just a few minutes on facebook” and before you know it, ANOTHER day/opportunity wasted. well, i’m down the wire now.
misty says
It is VERY overwhelming to change a course and path that you have been on to accumulate this and that that we are told we need, must have, can’t live without, etc. I appreciate the simple encouragement to start small and move forward with the end goal in mind! Read a book recently (The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson) that speaks of how to make these changes…a small steps get you towards the path. It is easy to do them and easy not to do them. The choice is yours. Please continue to inspire and encourage each of us in minimalism. Love it!!!
Marti says
Thank you Joshua for summarizing so many of the thoughts that have arisen in me during the past year of “knowing” I needed to “minimize”!
“Minimize to Maximize” is my new motto!
I was in a jewelry store about 5 years ago having my wedding ring resized and looking at a collection of women’s jewelry the store owner was selling for a customer who was down-sizing”. An older gentleman approached me saying, “Lovely collection, isn’t it?” I answered that it was, but that was it was not a temptation
for me, “I’m not into jewelry.”, I announced proudly. “Everyone is into something, or many things. . .we all have more than enough!”, the
gentleman rebutted. Knowing there was a word of wisdom to follow, my response was simply, “Oh?” He continued by explaining all he had owned, where he had traveled, how he had lived and without telling me the circumstances of his financial demise, he stated a simple truth I shall never forget, “The best day of my life was when they came and took it all away.”
Norman says
Your story made me say wow (out loud with no one around). Lots of wisdom in that story.
Cat'sMeow says
Thanks for sharing this great story!!
Uh, I shudder at the thought of having tons of possessions. I want to give away a bag full now :)
Elizabeth says
Thank you for this. I started a journey to simplification in February, and at the time didn’t even realize it was a trend/movement. I just knew it was what I needed. And what my familiy needed. I have a long way to go. I want to read more about minimalism. I’m not sure if that is where I am heading or not, but I seem to agree with everything I have read from you so far. I’m guessing there are different levels/degrees of minimalism?
Living the Balanced Life says
Absolutely, Elizabeth. Minimalism looks like what you choose. Everyone has varying degrees, and many describe themselves as being on the “path to minimalism” as it seems to be a journey and not a destination.
Congrats on making the changes that are making a difference in your family!
Bernice
Is your stuff holding you back?
Matthew says
Hello,
I resonate with being and staying in the ” introduction” phase. My family chooses not to accumulate things we don’t need but we are still not minimalists. In being a minimalist, it seems as though one has to have a sense of purpose or passion that they have defined. People, such as myself, would not know what to do without things. How does one become a minimalist when they don’t yet think they know their faith, purpose, passion, etc. ?
John M says
Great article. My one comment would be that the first step should be a commitment to not purchase or bring into your life things that are not absolutely needed. You can start this step now. Minimalism is a state of mind, not just getting rid of clutter or reducing the number of items you own. It is living with things you love, improve your life and make you happy. Also, make an effort to use what you already have.
Justin says
This is a great comment. I think John is absolutely right. Minimalism is about shifting our paradigm and by doing so we clean up all aspects of our life. Excellent post! I love the motivation, and I think I’ll go minimize my kitchen right now.
Deborah Edwards says
Thank you for this John. I am just hitting this challenge as the weather cools and the lovely Autumn textiles start appearing in the shops. The catalogues are also arriving and with this embryonic mindset I can see how there is an enticement to purchase variations on a theme. For me a first step is not to buy, and to cancel the catalogues, and not to buy advertisement driven magazines.
We are movng house imminently and originally I thought “I will take nothing I will not need in the new house”, but this is too tight of a deadline and is stressing me out! So I am giving things away but at a pace I can tolerate!
Thanks for these posts they are a real encouragement!
CarolAnn says
This is my biggest problem….buying stuff. I’m an adult child of an alcoholic abusive father and hoarder mother. My alcohol is shopping. It is howni control things and find my happiness. I try to declutter and I have begin with the help of this tie and a few others. But then I’ll get in a mood and go shopping because if a spot becomes too empty then I start to panic that I won’t have “something” when I need it. It is a cycle that I’m trying to break but some days are easier than others!!!
Tina says
Shopping has always been a sort off cross-addiction for me. I’m a bargain-hunter. I’ve never in my life gone out and paid $xxxx for a designer purse, but I’ll go to a thrift shop or a warehouse sale or a closeout store, or a pop-up sale and drag home designer towels, bedding, clothing,etc., because it was a “good deal.” Silly me to not realize that living paycheck to paycheck is never a “good deal.” So my house is crammed with good stuff. My 1st pass through the house removed all the old/used items and old clothes that don’t fit. The second pass involves excess kitchen gadgetry and the pans I never seem to use. Not all are leaving yet. I’m packing them away and waiting to see if I ever go looking for those items. If not, they’ll go in the future. Now, I’m faced with piles of things I think I should sell. My retired friends have time for selling on Facebook groups; I don’t. Or I tell myself that. I could probably sell one item at a time, right? It’ll take years to clear it out, but someday, I’ll be free.
Ryan Ash says
Great thoughts and advice, Joshua! From your “encouragement” sections it seems like you might have struggled with these before. :-)
mel says
I loved this article, but it was Jaymie’s comment that I really wanted to recognise. Jaymie, congratulations on starting to make changes, and on using the knowledge that it’s much easier to change our own behaviour than others’! I was really touched by your story, and wish you all the best. :)
Jaymie says
For getting the family part on board, that was my biggest excuse. Considering I am a 20 year old living at home with a hoarder mom and a very worldly brother (he gets the newest iphone, game stations, ipads etc despite having not even enough money to buy it).
But finally, I gave up trying to force my mom through the garage. Though I’m not “allowed” to touch anything in the living room (which I want to the most) or the “kitchen (which is a horrible paper mess), I finally just did my room. Which needed it. I went in and have been getting rid of things in my room. And you are so right. The more I go through stuff, the more I realize IIII have SOOOOO much! Who am I to complain about the family when over half my closet is stuff I never ever ever ever ever wear?!
Some of your blogs pushed me over the edge. So thank you:) I started a blog last week (see link) to begin my progress! The first blog has a few of your quotes. thank you!!!
Living the Balanced Life says
Jaymie,
Having grown up in a similar home where I was not allowed to touch anything, I commend you for taking care of your part. I did not have that desire and while I did not become a hoarder, I was definitely a bonafide packrat. I am now in my 40s and just now getting a real good grip on my belongings, having purged my books, clothes, kitchen items as well as other household things. I still have a ways to go, but feel so much lighter!
Good luck on your journey towards a more intentional existence!
Bernice
Wonder Woman doesn’t live here anymore
Di says
Jaymie,
I congratulate you on taking the first step toward minimalism and realizing at your young age that it begins with you and your possessions. I hope your family will be inspired and motivated by your efforts.
Angela says
Well done Jaymie! I grew up in a similar environment so I fully understand the frustrations, but kudos to you for recognising the “log in your own eye”. Where’s the link to your blog?