I’ve written about my journey and what has brought me to living a minimalist lifestyle. So far, the benefits significantly outweigh the downside. That being said, I find adopting some minimalist aspects challenging. Below are three reasons I find minimalism challenging :
1) Minimalism Is Strange – Everything I see in our society tells me to buy and consume. On top of this, I’m told I deserve to live this way. Television shows and movies I watch feature characters who have adopted these values so far to the point that it’s an unconscious choice. Nobody in my family has directly told me I’m making a lifestyle mistake but sometimes I can’t shake the feeling at the very least, they think I’m weird for it. I have drifted apart from some, not many, of my friends due to a gradual change in beliefs about the way society should work.
Minimalism conflicts with the lifestyle I’ve been conditioned for 23 years to believe is appropriate and ‘right’. These factors accumulate to make me feel somewhat estranged from the common road path. I take responsibility for the choices I make because I am an adult. But I still feel alone from my peers and general society for choosing something uncommon. Everybody likes acceptance – I know I do. But I value my own self acceptance over general society’s view of what I ‘should’ be doing. In my heart, I know the minimalism lifestyle works for me. Minimalism’s values and ideas make total sense when I examine them and how they relate to who I am and want to be.
Photo Credit: BalanceLifestyles
2) Auto-Pilot Is Easier — It’s much easier to just do what I’m told and not actively make decisions. Minimalism forces me to think about everything. Why am I really buying this? Am I holding onto this stuff because I need it or because I’m just attached? Can I be doing this process more efficiently? How is the action I’m about to do going to affect the environment? Not thinking about any of these questions can be easy to do and it’s encouraged subtly by mainstream entertainment and blatantly from advertisements. Being conscious about my decisions takes effort. Each day, these questions become more integrated into my natural decision making process. I make the choice to answer these questions because it’s worth it, but taking the responsibility to be aware takes effort. Auto-pilot is easier, plain and simple.
Photo Credit: BalanceLifestyles
3) I Like Stuff — Again, full disclosure, I like stuff. Everyone has a different definition about what minimalism means to them. For me, minimalism simply is about choosing the essential and minimizing the rest. I think people who haven’t come across minimalism think it’s just about getting rid of absolutely everything to live in a 5 x 10 foot room. Getting rid of things just for sake of the act makes no sense. To me, that’s not what minimalism is about. But making the distinction between things I want versus need definitely is crucial. There are things that I want that I really don’t need. And some of these things aren’t environmentally friendly, or are expensive, or could be used by ten additional people instead of just me. I’m aware of the things that are necessities and I choose them — but it’s not always easy for me.
Yes, it’s lonely to be alone on the journey. Be encouraged because you will find like minded friends and some of them may be your old friends who see the benefits of your new way of living. You are so correct in realizing that minimalism for the SAKE of minimalism is a dead end street. That’s why your writing the mission statement was crucial at the beginning. Read it everyday and evaluate your purchases and decisions accordingly and then you won’t lose yourself in the abyss of ‘wrong reasons’. (Yes, I’m working on mine.)
I do buy books occasionally so I can share them with others. My community library isn’t always on the cutting edge of what I want to read. And as a teacher, I see the value of books for kids to learn to read. For me, some books will remain in the essential pile- they have a purpose and are useful. But as you wrote, I’m not on ‘auto pilot’ with buying and keeping them. Now I’m thinking about the question, “What things do I have/buy on auto pilot?”
Hey Willow — you’re right about making sure to keep evaluating my purchases + decisions according to my mission statement. Each day, that process is also becoming more ingrained in my mind so I’m glad to have something I can look back to for a frame of reference. The lack of available new books was, to me, the only significant drawback when it comes to public libraries. Sometimes it’s nice to just have the new book NOW! But for those old classics, it’s perfect because it’s free, you read it, and give it back so it doesn’t add to space.
another great post Reggie. u have correctly pinned down the exact issues faced by us starter-minimalists.
just letting u know u r not alone in this journey. even better, u r leading the way for some of us. keep it up!
Gogol, I appreciate the reminder that I’m not the only one who is sharing a similar path. Also, personally I like how both of us are about the same age so it’s nice to have somebody with a familiar frame of reference to get feedback from too. I do think that more people our age are going to look at alternate ways of living as time goes on — but that change doesn’t always happen very quickly but more so over time. Also, thank you for the encouragement Gogol!
Hi Reggie,
you do what is right for you and eventually you will be surrounded by people who believe in what you believe in. The people around you now who truly are your friends but don’t share these beliefs will still be around you because they love you and that is good too.
I am sure I annoy the hell out of some of my friends but they stick by me anyway and I love them for that. Luckily my husband and best friend is right behind me all the way.
Stick with it you will be a better person for it in the long run. The planet will thank you too.
Hey Colleen, thank you for the words of support! I am trying to take what you said and use it as a positive in the sense that, like you said, the people who truly care about me will stick by me no matter what. It’s almost like a test to see who’s really with me and who’s not. I’m sure the people that love/like me just the same are the people will have proven themselves to be true friends and that’s something that is great for me to find out.
I am definitely going to stick with it! The benefits just make so much sense and already I am seeing results, and I think the benefits are only going to grow stronger over time! I was reading something recently that said when most people begin a lifestyle change, there is a point where they give it up (and many do) or where people really give in to the commitment and the latter group really reaps the benfit.
Very true Reggie, especially number 2. I was thinking about the problem, “why do people find simple living so hard” – I think a lot of the answer is, as you’ve identified, it’s just plain easier to go with what everyone else does, just go with the status quo, and not have to think too much about it. Nice article, thanks!
Hey Tony — you’re welcome, I’m happy you stopped by to give your thoughts! I was thinking recently too and I’m not exactly sure, but it seems like as humans we are naturally drawn toward the path of least resistance. The way our society is set up, just following along is popular because it’s just so EASY to do and it fits in with the path of least resistance. But I also notice that those on that path don’t seem to be the happiest. I think the true benefits that living a minimalist lifestyle presents is MORE happiness but it just takes that effort to carve out our own path.
An incredible post Reggie! You express so much of my own thoughts. We are naturally drawn toward the path of least resistance; so, so true! I just wrote on my blog that I will never truly be a minimalist, or at least one living with only what fits in a backpack, but I appreciate those who do and have learned much from them. I think we have to each define what minimalism or simplicity means to us, and stop following the crowd whether it be the consumer crowd or the minimalist crowd. I have total confidence you are going to find your way and it is going to be wonderful, and filled with friends and those who love and appreciate you, just because you are you.
Hi Reggie! Good post. I really relate to #1–my friends and acquaintances just completely draw a blank when they ask what I am up to these days. It is so strange to them it literally doesn’t compute. Of course my peers are 50-65 years old, and that baby boomer age group was certainly the vanguard of consumerism once the 60′s were over. Yet I think we are the group that could most benefit from minimalism. Maybe.
I am gearing up to write my own post defining minimalism, and what you’ve written here is pretty close to where I’m coming from, too. I look at it as a process, because needs and usefulness fluctuate. The process also reveals our truths to ourselves, showing us that doing without some particular thing or activity would be tantamount to suffocating our spirit, such as a hobby.
Hey Meg, thanks for your thoughtful comment. I think it’s interesting to look at minimalism from the viewpoints of two different generations. I always thought that as we get older, it would be more likely to hold less of a value on “stuff”. But I can also see the alternate view that as we get older, we hold onto stuff perhaps for more security? I’m not exactly sure but it’s a topic that interests me and sounds good for exploring in a post.
Also, like you brought up, the process can suddenly change what’s useful and vice versa. I think as we progress, our needs change, and as our needs change, we have to adapt with it or be stuck holding onto things that ultimately don’t offer a personal benefit any longer.
Reggie, I find it easy to not purchase more stuff for myself or more stuff for the rest of the house, but the kitchen–that’s where I get hung up! I have a genetic predisposition to kitchen gadgetry! But food is both my hobby and my job, so …
Love your blog! I think minimizing is important for individuals, for society AND for the planet. Keep up the good work. As I am fond of saying: The American Dream has become The American Nightmare; we are no longer consumers, we are consumed.
Hey Jean thanks a lot for coming by and dropping a comment! LOL @ “genetic predisposition to kitchen gadgetry”, I’m guessing you are a chef/cook of some sort? I really appreciate your compliments about the blog and also for living a minimized lifestyle. I’m so glad that other people realize what the American Dream really is now. I have faith that it can be turned around into a dream that’s sustainable, environmentally friendly, etc., but it’s going to take a slow but steady awareness for people to wake up to what’s really important. I suppose that progress takes time too but with the growing popularity of minimalism/simple living, at least there is growing support.
Hi Reggie–I’m just a home cook, not a chef, and a freelance writer. You can see some of what I do on my food blog. Like you, I encourage people toward the sustainable, environmentally friendly, etc.
It’s hard to be a conscientious spender and a minimalist in today’s world. On the one hand, you have family, friends and coworkers who think you’ve lost your mind and actively try to bring you back to “normalcy,” On the other hand, you have to watch your friends and family waste and consume, consume, consume. It’s hard to learn what you do on a minimalist journey and keep your mouth shut when people tell you they don’t care about how buying something effects the environment or the world around them. Just be resolute in your decision. Know that it’s best for you and eventually the people who love you will accept it.
It sure is easier to operate on “autopilot.” Then again, it’s awesome to go into buying something with the full knowledge of what it means to purchase and own something. It’s a powerful feeling!
Hi Red what’s up? Boy can I relate towards feelings that push for friends and family to want to push you towards what’s “normal” and how I might feel. I think my approach thus far is trying to just do my own thing and then if people ask me about it or show some interest, I go into how I’m living a little bit more. It’s hard when I see people who don’t appreciate the environment or their impact on it because I want to say, “don’t you realize the damage you do is going to effect you sooner or later?” But I rarely say anything. Maybe I should but sometimes I don’t feel it’s my place but it’s still hard! Thanks for the encouragement. It’s good for me in that my Mom and my older cousin know about minimalist living from this blog and they are really supportive even if it’s not something for them. Thanks for the comment!