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.
Katrina Julia says
Such a powerful way to live. Underlines less is MORE.
I love how God has transformed me and my heart from attachment, materialism, and culture/world to what truly aligns to me + who I am created to be.
This has shown up practically especially since 2010 taking Financial Peace, pursuing purity, reducing clothes, extra clean to no car, studio apartment, to donating over 90% of items last year, and now traveling the world for 2+ years with one suitcase + backpack.
With sooo much more contentment, adventures, and spending way less money!!! On my way to financial freedom! In Jesus Name! Amen
Keep creating, transforming and inspiring every word matters! About to watch the video you did with Dave Ramsey!Came across you there!
Lori says
thanks, I checked his website, Dave has the best financial tips. I have started to use some of them and learn from some other. He is great.
Shweta says
So beautifully said. Thank you!
Samo Zeal says
This is one of my favorite articles you’ve written.
I’m going to pass this on to some people who I care about and think would benefit from it like I know I did.
Reinvigorated me.
I often feel guilty for the possessions I have because I believe in minimalism, but think of it as so unattainable.
This article made it feel so much more realistic of a pursuit for me.
Thanks brother.
Maria Pinto says
I am right there with you Samo, but after reading Joshua’s Weekend Reads on Saturday it really helped me to get motivated to start in on some projects.
The whole process of simplifying, decluttering, embracing minimalism can be daunting but taking baby steps really does work!
Anne M says
Minimalism can help crafters a lot. It keeps me focused on only buying what I can use in the next year or so, and only if I can envision a project with it (as opposed to the “ooh, shiney” or “it’s on sale – must buy” ideas). I also have several designated (smallish) places for “stash” to accumulate, and am getting better at letting things go that I no longer want to find the space for. I also recently gave away all the items I had from a class on a particular craft. I never really “clicked” with it, and felt the time it would take to get better at it would be better spent on upgrading my skills in crafts I liked better.
Gennifer Chenault says
Anne, I did the same thing and it was so liberating. Letting go of that additional hobby and all of its stuff freed me to focus on really diving in to another. I have a sense of accomplishment which was energizing, not depleting.
Dianne says
Well that is giving me something to seriously think about. Thx
Sara Francescucci says
I’d so Desperately LOVE to empty out my house to minimise everything. They’re is STUFF everywhere and i HATE it. My head is so crowded and I just can’t seem to make that start. It really gets me down…
Lauren says
Hey Sara, have you asked a friend to help you? I have a friend who hoards and I have made overtures about being willing to help her purge whenever she’s ready. She is hoarding because of grief, but she also suffers from ADD and has a tough time with executive functioning. If you have one of those annoyingly organized friends, I am certain s/he would love to help you. My friend is also an obliger in her motivational tendency type (search the four tendencies quiz), so having that external expectation can help, too.
Maria Pinto says
Hi Sara,
If it helps, know that you are not alone by a long stretch, & I find it helpful to take one area at a time. I like to put on some music, make a cup of coffee or tea, and take a break now and then.
Sometimes it can actually be fun, & when you start to see some progress that may help to motivate you even more.
Good Luck!
Nik says
I am one of those highly sentimental people who also was raised very frugally by a single parent. I had a scarcity mindset and did not even realize it. When I first encountered minimalism I couldn’t understand how people could get rid of their belongings. Everyone who knows me well is shocked to see how I am transforming my space/life. I bought my childhood home and inherited a lot of other peoples belongings in the process. In the past year and a half I have slowly chipped away revealing a home that I love. Being a naturally creative person my minimalism journey is highly focused on essentialism. I also was SO inspired by your ability to begin your charitable work and the joy you had of sharing that example with your children. I have always said I want to run a non profit when I retire, with these lifestyle changes I may be able to realize that dream sooner. I truly believe that if I can become minimalist ANYONE can. lol I must say that I was blessed to have my children and husband get on board pretty quickly after they realized how important this was to me. We have all seen the benefits of living with less. I will continue on my journey with a grateful heart for your work and hone the ability to cheerlead this lifestyle to anyone.
Toni Forrester says
Fantastic application of logic! I appreciate the way having fewer possessions feels. It has the energy of feeling lighter, less to be responsible for. Love and always look forward to your insights!!!!
Julie says
Great article!
“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.” I have definitely noticed myself more focused on the process of decluttering at times, and not knowing what to do with myself once I’ve gotten rid of everything I don’t use. Decluttering can become an avenue, and even doing research about things can become a way for us to halt actually living out our values. I saw a quote the other day by Henry Nouwen that really rang true with me. “You don’t think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking.”
Regarding the idea that minimalism isn’t for people with certain hobbies, it really is about keeping what you value, and not letting those items get in the way of enjoying the activity. For instance, we love cooking meals and having people over for dinner. Because of this, we have more plates, forks, and cups than we use every day, but that’s okay because we get great use out of them.
Kate Procter says
Thank you for this insightful article. I decluttered my house and in the process, realized that having the stuff to support too many hobbies and interests meant that I rarely did any of them. Thinking about minimalism in the way you’ve described has helped me bring more focus to what actually brings me joy and doing more of that instead of spreading myself too thin and dabbling in many things. Letting go of hobbies that I’m never going to have time for, and their accompanying stuff, also lets me let of the guilt I felt every time I saw the half-completed projects, or the unplayed piano.
joshua becker says
Minimalism forces us to find ourselves.
Amanda A says
We’re just clearing out a deceased relative’s house. We’ve realised she loved shopping for the crafts more than she liked doing the crafts. Loads of patchwork fabric, but only one baby’s cot sized one was ever finished; hundreds of card making papers and stamps but only a few were actually used. Plus all the tools and machines to go with these.
Paula says
So many good ideas!!! Thank you. I craft. Quilts, clothing,alterations, surgical hats, whatever someone needs. I’ve been following decluttering and downsizing, minimalism several years and thinking about it a long time. A large home with full basement and a 40×60 workshop/barn has brought me to a place to desire minimalism. One thing that has made the biggest difference to me is ” enough”. I stopped shopping for fun 4 years ago and now use up fabrics and things I have instead of looking for more. I have much still but recognize that retirement is looming and plan to reduce, reduce, reduce by using and selling/sharing these gifts and talents with others. My journey seems slow but it has been directional! Your book and the many bloggers you feature certainly have helped! Thank you and take courage to all!