Occasionally, I hear chatter around the topic of minimalism that sounds something like this, “Minimalism isn’t for everyone. It’s only for _______.”
Well, that’s hogwash. Of course minimalism is for everyone. And I’d like to share some thoughts about that today.
There are any number of versions to that sentence above, but here are some of the most common:
– Minimalism is great for me. But may not be right for you.
– Minimalism is only for the rich.
– Minimalism is only for certain personalities, like non-sentimental people.
– Minimalism isn’t for people who are crafters.
I can’t possibly speak to every version of the “Minimalism isn’t for everyone” argument, but I can talk about those four specifically.
But first, I think it might be helpful to remind ourselves what minimalism is and what it is not, because I think that will clear up a lot of the confusion.
Minimalism is not a set of specific rules or guidelines and the goal of minimalism isn’t to own the fewest number of things possible.
Minimalism is about owning only the possessions you need to accomplish your greatest goals in life. It is the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing anything that distracts us from it.
And minimalism is always going to look different from person to person based on any number of factors: where you live, the size of your family, your career, your hobbies, your age, your socioeconomic realities, just to name a few.
All of these factors should influence the physical possessions you keep and the ones you remove. Minimalism is entirely freeing in this way.
It is also important to note that minimalism is about more than owning less, it is also about seeing the world differently and removing the unending pursuit of physical possessions.
Sure, many people own too much stuff and need to minimize their possessions to reach the optimal amount. But even someone with little can embrace minimalism as a means to not over-accumulate in the first place.
In the end, minimalism frees up our most important resources for things in life that matter more than physical possessions—however you choose to define that. And that is something that benefits everybody who embraces the lifestyle—regardless of any individual characteristic.
Of course minimalism is for everyone. We all have a finite amount of money or days to live, and the less we waste them on physical possessions, the more we can spend on meaningful pursuits.
Now, let’s look at some of the thoughts above in more specific terms:
1. Minimalism is great for me. But may not be right for you.
Minimalism offers the same benefits to everyone who embraces it: more opportunity to pursue greater passions than physical possessions.
Certainly, each person is going to define those passions differently. But a life lived pursuing happiness and fulfillment in places that can actually deliver it, is a recommendation that is absolutely right for everyone. We should be bold in spreading it.
2. Minimalism is only for the rich.
“Minimalism is for the rich” is a critique that pops up from time-to-time in articles written by people who do not fully understand minimalism.
You don’t need a lot of money to own less stuff, you need a lot of money to own more stuff.
Perhaps my thinking is skewed by the resident of an underdeveloped African country who approached me after a presentation and said, “This is a message that the people in my home country desperately need to hear. They are so focused on wanting and accumulating things, they miss the joy and happiness right in front of them.”
People who believe that minimalism is only for the rich, in my opinion, are focused too much on the process of removing possessions to achieve a more minimalist life and less focused on the benefits that arise when the pursuit is removed.
If someone has to declutter an entire home of unneeded possessions to begin living a minimalist life, then it is highly likely that person has excess finances. But again, minimalism is about more than “decluttering.”
Minimalism is about realizing there are greater pursuits than material possessions and that directing our focus and money towards pursuits of greater significance is always a better decision—whether we have little or much.
3. Minimalism is only for certain personalities, like non-sentimental people.
I don’t disagree at all that minimalism may be easier for certain personality types. But I do disagree that just because minimalism is harder for some than others, the lifestyle is not beneficial for all.
Minimalism is about owning only what you need to live your best life. And what possessions are necessary to live your best life is going to change from person to person—but there is always a point where excess possessions become a burden, regardless of your personality type. Minimalism forces you to discover it.
If sentimentality is beneficial to you in pursuing your greatest purpose, you will own more items of sentimentality than others. But you can still own too many.
If a cluttered desk is how you get your best work done, you will keep more stuff on your desktop than others. But it can still become too cluttered.
If you are gifted in keeping the family history, you will likely keep more possessions from past generations than others. But you can still keep too many.
Minimalism isn’t about forcing every individual into the same set of rigid rules on the number of outfits they can wear or items they can keep on their desk. Minimalism is owning the optimal number of possessions to accomplish the most with your life and removing anything that distracts you from it, regardless of your specific unique personality characteristics.
4. Minimalism isn’t for people who are “crafters.”
This thought extends beyond crafters, by the way. Some might say that minimalism isn’t for artists, or teachers, or outdoor enthusiasts, or photographers, or whatever.
When I was first starting on my journey toward becoming minimalist, I read an article by Karol Gajda who made a very helpful statement. “I love biking,” he said, “and because of that I own more biking equipment and tools than others. But I own less of other items than most people do and that is fine with me. Biking is a hobby that improves my well-being and will always require a certain number of things for me to keep in my possession.”
Recently I received a comment from someone who was new to this blog. In her comment, she said, “Minimalism is not for everyone. Why would I ever give up my piano? I have played that piano every week for the last 15 years.”
Of course, the article had nothing to do with giving up pianos and neither does minimalism. If you play the piano every week and that is a hobby that enriches your life, you shouldn’t remove the piano from your home. But maybe you don’t need the basement full of possessions collecting dust, or all the items in your kitchen, closet, or drawers.
If you are an artist or crafter, keep the possessions required for your hobby and passion. But remove the other unneeded possessions in your home. Freeing up time and space and money may just allow you to thrive even more in your creative craft—whatever that is.
Minimalism doesn’t dictate what hobbies you can or cannot pursue. It doesn’t dictate what career path you can or cannot choose. And it doesn’t dictate what possessions you can or cannot keep.
It only reminds us that our lives are too valuable to waste pursuing and accumulating physical possessions. And that is true for every single one of us.
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I’ll plan to be active in the comment section answering questions you might have related to this article. I think it is an important one.
Kris says
My hobby (or craft as you call it) is photography, and my passion is animals. I work on a dairy farm and am active in animal rescue/TNR. Because of this, my phone is swollen with digital photos. While it may bog down the memory at times, the benefits are profound. I always have a photo that’s perfect for media sharing rather than using a meme. Senior friends that used to farm enjoy seeing cows and calves. Likeminded friends trade cat videos on the daily and we connect through our pets. I say all this to show that one this aspect of possession may be cluttered, but is an area/hobby that is focused and useful. Great article, Josh!
Beverly H. says
I’m so glad you’ve emphasized that minimalism isn’t only for the rich. A lot of people don’t get that enough is enough whether you’re rich, poor, or in between. I’ve never had more than a minimal income, so accumulation was never a motivator for me–necessity, quality, comfort, utility, beauty, these are more important than quantity. I would rather have a tiny amount of stuff to deal with than a huge amount, even if a huge amount was a possibility. And less is easier to take care of than more is anyway.
steveark says
I love this! I’ve always felt I had the minimalist spirit even with three vehicles, a boat and an ATV. Our many hobbies come with gear but if anyone really looked at my purchasing they’d see I never spend a dollar on anything I don’t use until it wears out. And what I spend is on things that bring us joy, and nothing else. We are always playing tennis, fishing, hiking, off roading, running, blogging and playing pickleball and those things take a good bit of gear. But looking closer you’d see I buy used when possible and never buy anything just for the fun of buying or showing it off. I just buy the minimum required to do my hobbies at a high level. And I buy at the maximum value point, never the most or the least expensive, just at that point where additional dollars stop adding additional benefits. And our house is larger than some but it was very inexpensive and we did have three teenagers in it at the same time, and a little more space made for a lot less drama! I really appreciate your non-judgy attitude, Joshua. I think you are right, the minimalist concepts, that may look different for everyone, they do make for a better life.
Genile says
I am on this Journey of just having things around me that matters most.
In my quest for that state of nirvana (lol) I am shocked of the amount of STUFf that I have accumulated in the house.
It has been months since I started and am doing room by room.
What I have learnt though is to be gentle on myself and take one day at a time and not add any new UNNECESSARY purchases to my space.
Pamela says
I really enjoy reading and absorbing all articles you’ve written about being a minimalist. I’m 74 and inherited a beautiful home and everything that is in it. I am also a active artist which keeps me busy on a daily basis. I am being inspired by following you and I am at the point I’ll be diving into a lot of downsizing and clutter clearing fast.
I’m trying to pace myself with this task and have been selling all the furniture and designer clothes to start. So I know this will work well for me someday when I need to sell my home.
joshua becker says
Thank you for the encouraging words and all the best on your art.
Lisa says
Please help !
I’ve been watching your YouTube videos and began the journey to minimalism before we moved 2 months ago. It’s been a great success and wow, have I been able to declutter so much! I started with all of my own possessions, as you mentioned I should. I’ve tried to teach the Minimalism principal to both my son and my husband. My Son actually understood and started to get rid of clothes and toys that no longer were useful. My husband on the other hand, does not want to understand or participate in it. He is from another country where they cannot afford nearly as much as we have here in The USA. He loves to shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, ect, in hopes to gift them to his family the next time he visits them. This happens maybe every 2 years, more or less. The amount of stuff he acquires takes us so much space, not to mention the amount of money he is paying for these items each time he hits up a TJMaxx or Marshall’s. It also triggers him to buy something for himself at the same time. He has so many clothes and shoes, that he truly needs another closet just for him. The shopping doesn’t stop and I feel it’s because he can actually afford the items he never got as a child. What can I do to deal with this consistent flow of stuff coming into my home?
joshua becker says
Honestly, you’ll probably need to give him longer than 2 months. I believe strongly that the benefits of minimalism eventually win out in a relationship when you lead by example, but that doesn’t mean the change is going to occur in 2 months… especially if he is swimming against strong attitudes learned in childhood. For now, encourage him to stay focused on the things he is buying for relatives that cannot afford them.
Emma says
I’d also encourage him to send the cash at times instead – then they can choose what to buy based on their needs.
Karon says
Love reading everyones views and picking up ideas. I think their is something for everyone in minimalism.
Ingrid Wolpert says
This is such an important message. Thank you. I would like to add: Minimalism is also only putting on your schedule or to-do-list what is meaningful to you and helps you live the way you want to live. And letting go of the rest. I started by decluttering physical possessions. And then I decluttered my schedule. It’s been life changing.
Your book, ‘The More of Less’, helped me so much. Forever grateful there are people out there like you sharing this message.
joshua becker says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the book.
Cat says
Well said, and I heartily agree that Minimalism, if perceived in the right context, IS the path to living a more focused, more passionate, and more fulfilling life.
Especially if each of us have unique, defined interests and purpose that require a particular and specialized set of tools, sensibilities,focus and an environment that actively supports and cultivates what we love or are gifted to do. When there is too much… we are pulled away using our precious time and energy to “maintain” or clean up the trivial or the inessential.
Love this! Best article yet! ❤️
Ann Blake says
This is off topic. As a teacher I learned that children needed to be able to conserve the concept of a number, before the could add or subtract from that number. They can add 3 + 2 = by counting 1,2,3, and 4,5. That’s part of what manipulative like beans chips or fingers are for. That why you see grown ups in the grocery store counting on their fingers, they have the concept part not the conserving part.
But to hear three and know what it is, the count 3,4, that is a whole other conceptual level.
Subtraction is much harder. Even student who are exceptional at arithmetic find subtraction harder.
This is really too bad because you get paid bi weekly or monthly (add)and you subtract, mtg, gas, groceries, utilities……(subtract)
Minimalism is subtraction.
Noelle says
I am a teacher also. I started the journey to minimalism maybe 6 months ago. Personally, I believe minimalism adds to life. It adds space, time and freedom to focus on what matters most. I suppose you do have to subtract first if you have acquired possessions or even activities that need to go ;)