“Something deep in the human heart breaks at the thought of a life of mediocrity.” —C.S. Lewis
At the time, I was just looking for a little relief. I was weary of living paycheck-to-paycheck. I was weary of spending so much money on myself knowing there were others that needed it more. And I was weary of the time and energy being wasted on cleaning, organizing, repairing, and maintaining our home.
Our decision to intentionally live with fewer possessions was motivated by discontent. But regardless of our motivation, shortly after the decision was made, we found countless life benefits: freedom, productivity, rest, and a whole bunch more.
Though not expected, we also discovered intentionality in some very valuable places.
We found intentionality in our values and passions. Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. And while this looks different for each person, it always requires its pursuer to further define his/her passions—and discover intentionality because of it.
We found intentionality in our finances. Owning less did not provide us with more money (except for the items we sold), but it did provide us with more opportunities for our money. Once we became attracted to living with less and the hold of consumerism on our checkbook was broken, our money could be used for more valuable purposes than the clearance rack at the local department store. New opportunities to help others became available—and new decisions were forced because of it.
We found intentionality in our health. Six months after discovering minimalism, I was faced with a pending birthday. After spending so many months removing the clutter from our home and life, the last thing I wanted to receive was anything that could become clutter. Brainstorming nonphysical gift ideas, I took notice of a new fitness gym that had just opened down the street from my house. And for the very first time, I had space, the motivation, and the finances to get in shape and place a priority on my physical body.
We found intentionality in our diet. Interestingly enough, the last thing you want to put in your body after working-out is junky, processed food. As a result, we started making healthier food choices: more fruit, more vegetables, less sugar. I began to form new friendships with other simple living advocates—many of whom modeled intentional diets. Over the years, we have experimented with many of their ideas. Each time, we discover new foods to eat and an increased understanding of the food we put in our bodies.
We found intentionality in our spirituality. Minimalism offered the opportunity to slow down. It also provided motivation. As I began to realize how much of my thinking had been hijacked by advertisements and consumer-driven society, I was drawn to the practice of meditation and solitude. I was drawn to find new voices for guidance. Being raised in a religious home, I was also drawn to find the voice of a higher power—one who knew far more and could reorient my life around greater, more eternal pursuits. This voice is still and small. And it requires each of us to slow down long enough to listen.
We found intentionality in our relationships. Owning less opened the door for new relationships in our lives. We were able to become more involved with our neighbors and our community. We were more willing to have people in our home as preparing for their arrival became easier. We spent less time shopping and cleaning and organizing and began to spend more time with the people who made life enjoyable. Our capacity for and appreciation of relationships began (and continues) to grow.
We found intentionality in work. The longer we lived with fewer possessions, the more our view of money began to change. It became less important. Our essential needs are met and we have enough left over to practice generosity—what else is needed? As our view of money shifted, so did our motivation for work. Work became less about the weekly financial deposit and more about the value and contribution we could provide to peoples’ lives. It opened the door even wider for honesty, cooperation, people, passion, and joy at work.
We found intentionality in our heart pursuits. Living with less opened the opportunity for contentment, gratitude, and generosity to take root in our heart. It forced us to redefine happiness. Happiness was no longer for sale at the department store. Instead, we discovered it was a decision available to us all along. And once we stopped looking in the wrong places, we were able to find happiness in the right places.
Minimalism was entered into because of discontent in our lives. But among its greatest gifts, it brought us intentionality. And we couldn’t be more thankful.
If you only get one life to live, you might as well make it the best one possible. (tweet that)
Bethany @ Journey to Ithaca says
Great article!
I, too, have found that minimalism has led to so much more. Having less possessions also led me to become more intentional in all areas of life. Having more downtime led me to explore spirituality more deeply, and going against the “norms” of our culture led me to question the “American Dream” more and more. In the end, I went from decluttering, to getting rid of it all–including the house–and moving 1200 miles away to start over in an apartment. I now have far less than 100 possessions, but that isn’t my focus anymore. The focus is enjoying a life independent of the “script” we’re all supposed to follow, and of pursuing our dream of eventually (by summer) living aboard full-time.
Barborka On The Run says
Great article, I’m taking baby steps, but can’t wait for every one of them, I’m glad your book is in the bundle as I just got it through one of the Paleo blogs :)
Sandra Pawula says
Joshua,
I think Intentionality is exactly why I’m so draw to read the work of minimalist, which i was just pondering yesterday. Your article beautifully expresses how intentionality transforms the quality of our life and gives us the opportunity to connection with something bigger, deeper, and more profound.
BrownVagabonder says
I love this post because it defines why minimalism is such a popular movement right now – I feel that you start off with minimalism for a reason, maybe debt or health or whatever it might be. But you end up with a host of other amazing benefits that just changes your life for the better. How could you not love such a lifestyle change? For me, being aware of inequalities out there was one of the major benefits of being a minimalist. I realized at a very young age that there was inequality in the world, and for me, being a minimalist kind of helps that inequality. I am not taking more than what a person in India would take from Mother Earth. It makes me feel like more a part of the natural cycle of the world than anything else.
Rod J. Rogers (@FreeAgentRogers) says
Actually, I like having ‘stuff’, but not too much! A theologian recently advocated living a simple, separate, and deliberate lifestyle. How you define those therm may vary, but getting away from the focus on accumulating for the sake of accumulating is key.
Michelle Russell says
Joshua, it’s interesting how the benefits of minimalism unfolded for you and your family so organically over time. And I’d bet that’s probably due to your intentionality about the process right from the beginning, whether you were conscious of it at the time or not. Seems to me you went into the process with great awareness and an openness to be changed.
I think one of the reasons minimalism gets a bad rap is because it so often gets promoted in terms of arbitrary “here’s a list of the X many things I own” or “cut the clutter! 20 tips for a minimalist lifestyle.” People get the idea that it’s about deprivation and shy away.
That’s a natural human tendency—it takes energy to dig deep and try to understand any new subject, so if we don’t immediately see how it will *eliminate* rather than *cause* pain for us, we’re likely not to bother.
But there’s a difference between mere contentment and true happiness, and I believe part of that difference lies in the very intentionality you’re talking about here. Contentment is pleasant, sure…nothing is really wrong, and you’re comfortable.
But to actively choose the things that truly matter to you and deliberately chip away at what’s extraneous so you can focus on them? That approach to life brings true joy. And that joy, as you’ve shown us here, naturally feeds on itself and grows over time.
Ellen Scott Grable says
Well said and I could not agree more! I often have difficulty explaining to people why I choose not to grow my business at this time. I have enough for the life which brings me joy and allows me significant “free time.” The funny thing is time isn’t free it is our most valuable commodity and it should be spent intentionally.
Maximal wishes for a wonderfully joyous life of minimalism.
Roberta says
Fabulous post! All of it rings true for me. Intending to live a minimal life in Dubai – a culture dominated by materialism (particularly in the expat community) – continues to be an interesting experience on a daily basis :-)
Miss Growing Green says
“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.”
Great definition.
In our journey towards minimalism we have found intentionality in many of the same places you have, namely our finances, diet, and relationships. Thanks for the great post!
Sandy says
I am at the beginning of the process, but, thus far, I have found that minimalism has brought me a feeling of peace.
Laura says
I’m also am just beginning my journey and I’m finding the same thing.
Peace, intentionality, focus, predetermined direction, purpose…. all coming into view.
Anders Hasselstrøm says
Hello,
Thanks for another inspiring article about minimalism. I have been reading motivational blogs for a long (!) time and I have always skipped all the blogs advocating for a minimalist lifestyle. Recently I gave it a try and I must admit that I have found secrets for happiness in minimalism that I now use in my own life. I has become an integral part of who I am and what I stand for.
Before I started implementing some of the ideas you have brought up I was worrying about a variety of things and money was one of them. However, I have experience a relief and an increase in my well being when I’m not thinking about money all the time because I have no need for spending them.
Part of my personal development and motivation to strive for a process in life filled with happiness.
Best,
Anders Hasselstrøm
Motivational speaker