My son is 17 and my daughter is 14.
But when we first began pursuing minimalism, my son was only 5 and my daughter was 2. Which means, they’ve seen us trying to live a minimalist life as young kids, as elementary-aged kids, and now as they enter the end of their high school years.
And whether we like it or not, our kids are learning from us. They are learning about values and worldview and how to live their lives when they become adults.
I know this isn’t the case for everyone. But personally, I’m happy to know we chose a more minimalist life while our kids are still at home. They’ve learned valuable lessons (or at least I hope they’ve learned some valuable lessons from us).
Here are seven ways minimalism has impacted my kids:
1. They’ve learned that they don’t need to buy things to be happy.
For the rest of their lives, advertisers will barrage them (and us) with the message that our life needs more. That happiness will appear if we buy whatever they’re selling.
Many people will believe it and buy into it, and start chasing and accumulating things that they don’t need to be happy. My children have seen, from us, that you don’t need to own a lot of things to be happy.
2. They’ve learned that you don’t have to live like everyone else.
You don’t have to live like everyone else on your block… or in your neighborhood… or in society. Everyone else may be chasing bigger houses and nicer cars and changing fashion, but you don’t have to live like that if you don’t want. In fact, you’ll probably be happier if you don’t.
3. They’ve learned the value of living within their means.
No matter what their income level might be, as they get older, they won’t need to overspend it to find happiness. In fact, quite the opposite is true: When we begin overspending our income is when we start adding unnecessary burden and stress to our lives—rather than finding contentment with what they have.
4. They’ve learned the importance of being deliberate in their purchases.
As my kids have gotten older and found new hobbies and passions and pursuits, there are purchases that have accompanied those new pursuits and new passions.
But each time, they’ve seen us be deliberate and intentional thinking through the next purchase asking questions like “What do you actually need in order to begin playing this new sport or starting this new hobby? What do we already have that will work? What are the needs that you have in order to do it well?”
5. They’ve learned the importance of sharing with others.
Generosity is the byproduct of minimalism. My children have seen us get rid of the things we don’t need and donate them to be shared with others. They’ve seen us become generous with our finances. And that our time and excess can be used to solve problems around the world.
6. They’ve learned the value of spending time together.
As we’ve owned fewer possessions, we’ve wasted less time cleaning and organizing and maintaining all the stuff that we used to have. We’ve been able to spend more time together, making memories together, enjoying experiences together.
The greatest gift we can ever give to someone else is our time. I’m confident my children have learned that over the last decade.
7. They’ve learned they are in control of their stuff, not the other way around.
The old adage is true, “The more stuff you own, the more your stuff owns you.” I’m just convinced most people don’t realize how much of a burden their possessions have become until they begin to remove them.
That being said, to live is to consume. There are needs that we have and things that we own in order to fulfill our purpose and live the life that we want to live.
But you don’t have to own so much stuff that your possessions begin to dictate your life. You own your stuff, not the other way around.
There are countless values and life lessons that I want my kids to learn from me, but the importance and value of owning less is definitely near the top. It will set them up for a lifetime of potential.
Jen says
I have been working my way into becoming my version of a minimalist for a few years now. Luckily my husband has jumped on board. Our kids are grown and we were left with a 4,200sq house that required incredible upkeep and high bills. We just made the leap and moved into a 2000sq house and it suits us so much better. Instead of spending money on a house cleaner we can work together and clean within an hour. Instead us both working full time my husband is able to retire early, we have been super intentional about every single thing we brought with us. We left furniture in the house we sold and the only brought about 10% of our belongings. It was really hard sometimes making decisions but now that it’s all donated, sold and settled man does it feel good. We feel free! Our garage only has a few bins in it and that’s it. Literally nothing else! We both like it because we don’t have room to purchase much so it will be easier to remember the path we are on. We spend hours together in the early morning on the beach to see the sunrise, walk our dogs everywhere and sit together to watch the sunset from our back porch. We see friends more, relax more and our relationship is growing. It’s been eye opening. We have vowed to make our time count. Thank you for all of your advice and teaching us a new way of living!
Tina says
That is the best, living less, so lucky you’re able to pursue as a minimalist now. Me, I still have two grown up kids at home and they’re not exactly following my wishes to own less, in fact they’re almost like hoarders, it’s stressing for me to watch, sometimes I go behind their backs just to donate stuff I know they won’t need or use. I still have a long way to live a minimal life, yes the more stuff you own the more maintenance/upkeep to live with. I cross my fingers that this life of mine will not last for long and that I can retire into minimalism.