An interesting turn of phrase has recently emerged: Maximalism.
The first time I heard the word was many years ago in a conversation with someone I had just met. When I mentioned the word “minimalism,” he responded by saying, “Oh, I’d describe myself as more of a maximalist. I want as much stuff as I can get.”
I filed away the word. “Clever wordplay,” I thought to myself.
Since then, I’ve seen it used off and on. But there appears to be a growing increase in its usage. Recently, in a number of articles, it has become used to designate a particular design with a loud style composed of mixed patterns, excessive, but curated collections, and saturated colors.
*Minimalism was also first used as a reference to an art movement and a design style.
But I will never forget my introduction to the word, maximalism. It was used to describe a life chasing material possessions. As if, somehow, that was something to be proud of.
I’ll tell you now what I told that gentlemen. I responded to his statement by saying, “But minimalism is maximalism. By minimizing my possessions, I maximize my life.”
Minimalism is less about the things you remove and more about the things you add.
The payout of minimalism lies in what you choose to pursue with your life rather than material possessions. It is maximalism.
It’s about maximizing the right things!
For example, I choose to own fewer possessions because:
I want to maximize time with my family.
I want to maximize adventure and freedom.
I want to maximize my deepest passions, not the passions hijacked by marketers and advertisers.
I want to maximize opportunity to make a difference in the world.
I want to maximize happiness, joy, meaning, and significance.
No doubt, you may complete any of those sentences differently. I don’t know what it is that you most want to maximize in your life—faith, or travel, or early retirement, or calm and peace in your home.
Whatever it is for you, be assured that minimalism provides that opportunity. Owning less frees up money and time and energy and focus.
Through minimalism, you can maximize all the things that matter most.
Maria Pinto says
Interesting read here Joshua, and how “words” affect us positively or negatively. It also shows that words can have more than one meaning. I personally have embraced what was coined by Duane Elgin in his book “Voluntary Simplicity” I embrace this lifestyle because it not only declutters my home but my mind as well. That is what free will is.
Another example that gets some people’s panties all up in a bunch is the phrase “Childless by Choice”. I have had some people admonish me and say no, it is “Childfree by Choice”, and that is their choice to call it what they will, and my choice to call it something different.
This is also a great exercise for the brain, and I love all these comments. Keep them coming.
Avery Horton says
Maximalist seek more of what they want and desire. They THINK BIG. Minimalist, on the other hand, think small to get what they desire.
It’s not wordplay, it is philosophy, a way of life.
I “coined” the term, MAXIMALIST, in October 2014, in response to being kicked out of your minimalist Facebook group.
MAXIMALIST – One who wants MAXIMUM INTENSITY out of life. You have heard of MINIMALISM. Most of those people are seekers – their life is not complete and they are seeking. MAXIMALIST, know what they want and seek to maximize their life experience.
Lea Bu says
I’m sorry to have to break this to you, but you didn’t invent maximalism. It’s been around for probably longer than you’ve been alive, both as a design movement and as a response to minimlistt philosophy.
joshua becker says
I first heard the word in 2010. Nor do I kick people out my Facebook group. So I’m not quite sure where this comment is coming from.
L says
I think the terms ignite highly subjective interpretations. While minimalism does maximize life by focusing on what’s important, the terms are both also used as specific interior design styles. I think a distinction should be made between whether you mean design style or philosophy. I’m totally with you though, in a philosophical sense, minimalism IS maximalism.
Brenda says
I loved Joshua’s statement that “ by minimizing my possessions, I maximize my life”. It is so true!
When I read the comments, it seems like some people missed the whole point of the article.
Old business major says
Your use of the words minimalist and maximize reflects “pop culture.” In other words, you can define them however you want, just like acronyms used in social media and texting. The terms minimize and maximize have long been textbook-defined terms in economics and finance—many years before Mr. Becker’s becomingminimalist approach or before he was even born. These words seems to jibe with his philosophy though: minimize your clutter to maximize your happiness in life!
Thomas says
I see this as a pun and it fulfills its purpose: It makes me think.
About possessions I don’t need, too much commitments, too much of all that is in the way of the life I wan’t to live. And it makes me think about the life I want to live: do I want to join that “rat race” or do I want to make my own way and decide what matters most to me and what does not?
Over the years I cleared out a lot of stuff that piled up because of unintentional decisions and the inexpierience that this stuff can be a burden, weighs a lot and drags me down physically and mentally.
So I chosed to adopt minimalism to get more of that what I wanted: inner peace, calm and joy. All no worldly possessions but essential for me. The side effects were more time, money and an almost empty private calendar.
Laura says
I am very much a minimalist in terms of possessions but LOVE maximalism in terms of a design style. I love bright colours and plenty of patterns on walls/curtains/blinds/artwork but I also love clean surfaces with no knick knacks to dust! I totally agree with this article that embracing minimalism (whatever your preference for interior design) is the best way to get maximum benefit out of your life.
Kelty Spencer says
I’ve followed you for a long time and enjoy your content, but this seems silly to me. In the design world minimalist and maximalist have definitions that are contrary to one another. I get that you’re saying one could make a case that maximalist and minimalist styles are both highly curated, so you could limit your possessions and still be a maximalist, but if someone went to an interior designer and asked for minimalism and the designer went with a maximalist style they’d be fired.
joshua becker says
Thanks for the comment. This wasn’t a post about design style. Hope that helps.
Kelty Spencer says
Maximalism is the aesthetic of excess by definition, so if you take it out of design does it have meaning at all? I get that minimalism is not purely a design concept, but from my understanding, maximalism is purely a design concept. I feel like if you’re going to use terms completely out of context, yes anything can be minimalism. I’m not intending to be divisive, this is your page and you can make any points you think are valid. However as someone who enjoys maximalism and is looking to incorporate more minimalist philosophy in my life the idea that maximalism is minimalism doesn’t land at all.
Brian says
That is even more ridiculous. Your sense is like I am saying bad things to you but i don’t mean that. So what is the point of conversation then?
Kelty says
Sense? It’s not bad to share my opinion. I meant that I wasn’t trying to start an actual argument, just share my perspective. It’s not “saying bad things” to point out that there’s seems to be a misunderstanding of a concept in this post. If there is research to show that maximalism is a lifestyle concept that would be awesome to include and I’d love to read it. But I didn’t feel that was clarified, so I did assume he was talking about design.
Eve says
I think of it as removing things that clutter my life so I can see only those things that bring me happiness and ease, peace and joy. Sometimes we can’t see them or forget what matters because we have too much in the way. Moderation in all things but maximizing things that are necessary and improve your ability to be whole.
Sammie says
I have been living simply, in progressive stages, for 40 years, but I really dislike the word minimalist for the very reasons you state. Minimalist is negative. Living simply or living gently describes the life I live. And it’s in no way minimal, except that my burdens of all kinds are fewer.
Leslie says
Well said!
MonyF says
Minimalism IS Maximalism…..Love this concept!
Thank you for another great read.
L says
I like those terms, they’re pretty good too.. I totally get where you’re coming from, but for me personally I believe owning a word can help charge the term more positively. For instance, Hispanics taking derrogative terms like ‘chula’ and making it a celebratory one. That’s why I still want to use the word minimalist to describe myself and be a positive example that helps how it is viewed.
Anne says
That’s an awesome way to put it!!