There is a criticism that I sometimes hear when talking about the benefits of owning less. And it goes something like this:
“But if everybody did that, the economy would collapse.”
I have three responses to that concern:
1. Just because somebody stops buying unneeded physical possessions doesn’t mean they stop spending money. Minimalists just choose to spend their money on other things. A minimalist economy still churns—it just looks different.
2. What is good for the individual is good for society and the economy. It would be foolish to say, “It is best for society if I take harmful actions against myself.” That model is entirely unsustainable. If owning fewer possessions is better for the individual (and it is), it is also good for society in the long run.
3. But most importantly, just because something makes the world go round doesn’t mean it needs to make your world go round. And I can’t repeat this last point enough.
We are individuals with agency and get to decide for ourselves what will ultimately motivate us in life. Society doesn’t get to make that decision for you.
You don’t have to live your life like everybody else. In fact, you’ll probably be happier if you don’t. (tweet that)
There are a lot of people in this world motivated by economic success, but you don’t have to be one of them.
There are a lot of people in this world motivated by sex, but you don’t have to be one of them.
There are a lot of people in this world motivated by the pursuit of fame or accolades or notoriety, but you don’t have to be one of them.
There are a lot of people chiefly motivated by pleasure, power, competition, control, even revenge… but you don’t have to be one of them.
You get to decide what is going to motivate you as an individual.
Whether it benefits some societal construct like “the economy,” shouldn’t be your greatest obligation.
Just because something makes the world go round, doesn’t mean it needs to make your world go round.
It is up to you to make the very most of the one life you have been given, living it for the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
If owning fewer things allows you to do that (which it probably does), then that is one of the best decisions you can make.
You get to choose your pursuits, your motivation, and your life. The world doesn’t get to decide that for you.
About Joshua Becker
Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you for this post. The future of us living on this beautiful planet depends on us collectively changing all the norms we’ve been supporting on “auto-pilot”. Your influence in grounding people to what matters is invaluable.
I haven’t liked acquiring things for a number of years. My husband often says if everyone was like you there wouldn’t be any shops left.
Well, with the economic turmoil in recent years along with the pandemic many shops have closed. That doesn’t bring me any pleasure of course.
No doubt people are spending their money on other things now.
Wonderful post Joshua. Please don’t ever stop spreading the word
Thank you Joshua! As I read I kept thinking “YES!” “YES!” Thank you for all you’ve done for me, my life, and my heirs’ lives.
Thank you for the encouraging words. I appreciate them very much.
I spend as little as possible. I buy only in need.
This saved me ton of my money. I live on €250 after rent. I pay bills, groceries and my free time to pass well. I enjoy free hobbies, like walking, to save money. I never been happier in life.
The economy, I do not think about, I pursue my life and enjoy.
Folks might enjoy (and already know) the lovely Mary Oliver poem, “The Summer Day”
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean–
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down —
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver
The Summer Day
(Apropos for some / me as I try to focus and put my attention on Becoming Minimalist while dealing with other things as well.)
Loved this poem. Thank you for sharing. I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to poetry, but this I thoroughly enjoyed.
Absolutely. And one can tend to think valuable change like this is not possible. But a take on this, to minimize health and climate issues in Finland, I believe: dairy farmers were paid to become berry farmers. Minimizing our impact on the world and the impact that things have on us is truly possible.
yes!
Damn right. Now you’re talking.
Right on! Just started following you and have been making some great changes in my life!
LOve this and you!! Thank you for the reminder. How can I best serve the world and those closest to me in every way?
Totally agree !!!
Amen !
Sixty-seven years ago, my mom taught us, “we don’t have to follow the crowd” create your own path in this world, I have done this all my life, and I have taught my daughters to do the same. We should follow our “needs,” not our “wants.” Thank you for your post.
Thank you Joshua for this note. It’s always a light feeling that comes up when we talk about a minimalist approach to life. On reading this article, there is a change in perspective. We, individuals, have our own stories, learning, lessons, and experiences. Not everything that we own can be minimalized. For example happiness, love, kindness, joy, etc…. The best part is we have the choice within us what we want to own, what we want to disown, and how much should we own.
In a world full of followers, this is a post for leaders. Very good post Joshua.
Amen! Preaching to the choir!
We definitely vote with our dollars spent. If I don’t buy meat because I don’t believe the planet is large enough to support growing meat for everyone, the marketplace will adjust to less meat being grown and sold. More vegan foods are available every time I visit the grocery store. Likewise when I buy less stuff in general, less stuff will be offered and thrown away. Thank you Joshua for reminding us of this topic. The marketplace will adjust by offering higher quality things when we do need to replace them.
A great post!
Can I get an amen? We should read this every day and keep it at the forefront of our minds in everything we do.
The whole world is going to crazytown on the crazy train and it’s standing room only. Just get off the train and think for yourself.
Amen
Amen! Great post Joshua! I really agree with that. No matter how many times we talk about how good minimalism is for people the whole world isn’t going to suddenly become minimalists. But on the individual level we must choose what is right for us and in the end it will be better for the earth to stop buying and throwing away junk, it will be better for the economy to spend more money on knowledge and experiences that stuff, and it will be better for humankind to focus on relationships and wellness rather than work money and stuff that doesn’t make us happy anyway. But it starts with one person choosing what is best for them and being brave and unapologetic. One at a time.
This is so true.
Before I retired, I used to wonder why it was so necessary to work so incessantly. Work smarter not harder was not a concept I found applied to my career (teaching).
In addition, spending became a habit born out of earning. Almost a tangible equal to my fatigue levels.
Recently retired, I’ve reduced my footprint, given away in pleasure and simplified. It’s been a process, still ongoing, but I am so satisfied to treasure what I love, a lot of which/whom don’t involve things at all but experiences.
Thank you for all your many thoughts.
Thanks Jochua for such the motivational article. After 7 years living in Switzerland I disconnected me from social influence from my own country. Yet, not being influenced by Swiss social. I found my life is much happier after , i don’t have to acquire what the social think that success people should acquire. I live in minimal style but very quality, I ride bicycles instead of car, have less expensive hobbies, read more. Save and invest heavily and being motivated by financial independence. I have more and more freedoms. I spend very little time taking care things but more time taking care myself. Your articles confirm and remind my thought. Thanks you.
Thank you so much for speaking up about that comment about ‘a duty to spend’ which is definitely not what we are here to do or responsible for. Not any more than it would make sense to say, folks all must go ‘off the grid’ to be doing the right thing–farming, milking our cows for milk and making cheese…. making our own clothes, etc. Somethings are right for some folks. We need and (fortunately, in most cases in our situations) get to decide and make those decisions for ourselves as to what makes sense and is right for us.
I agree. We should take advantage of things that help make our lives better. Our grandmothers did those things because they had too. If that’s your thing then do that but I personally like my iPad. I like my groceries and meds delivered to my door. I also love living with less things. I don’t think minimalism means what a lot of people think it does.🙂
Brilliant!
This is an excellent post and I completely agree with ALL of it.
Some years ago, after coming across some of your writings, I immediately began to pack things into boxes. It was such a wonderful feeling when we dropped everything off at the thrift store. We continue to live the minimalist life and have never looked back. In fact I always find things every week to put into what we call the ‘giveaway’ bag.
My wardrobe consists of 18 items and that includes footwear. Housecleaning is a breeze and we have plenty of time to do the things we truly enjoy.
It just really makes sense.
Thanks Joshua
Amen to that!!
Love this!! Amen.