Reader Jamie wrote:
I don’t want to live in a world without tv, without cars, and without other things that minimalists hate and it seems that’s the world the minimalists are trying to get us to live in.
…..
btw* everything I have I could fit into my car except for the bed and the couch in our place.So its not like I’m living in excess. I don’t have debt either. I don’t believe in spending in excess either.
What do the minimalists want? Do they want us to live better lives or do they want us to live in the same spartan manner and extremes that they do?
I just don’t get what the movement is about anymore. For awhile I really loved minimalism. Now I just wonder if its a nicer term for extremism or forcing people to do things they want.
IMO** they also claim that minimalism helps people lead better lives. Its almost like they think that minimalism can change the world.
*BTW = By the way
**IMO = In my opinion
In some ways they’re right, in other ways they aren’t. I just have so many complex feelings about minimalism.
She makes some valid points that I hear a lot from other non-self-proclaimed minimalists.
Now to address her thoughts:
LIVING IN A WORLD WITHOUT TV, CARS, OR MODERN AMENITIES
Not for me.
I am a minimalist.
I know I am, I am just not a very extreme one, perhaps moderate. But I am a minimalist because I’ve taken steps to be conscious about what I own. I get rid of what I don’t use or want any more. I really stand back and objectively say: Do I need that? Is it going to work in my life? Is it portable? 
As for a car, I need a car to get from city to city for work at the office, or even just within the city.
I am not excited about the idea of having to bike in winter, nor to bike two hours each day to get to work and back. That said, if I can walk somewhere or take the bus, I usually end up doing that rather than taking my car.
As for TV, TV isn’t necessarily some evil time wasting activity. I’ve learned a lot over the years from watching documentaries, as a kid trying to learn my ABCs or basic math.
I just don’t own a physical TV or a cable TV subscription, but that doesn’t mean I don’t buy the DVDs of the shows I like and watch them over and over again.
I am a modern nomad for a reason.
I like gadgets, modern conveniences and everything else like the next person, but I am not texting while I walk (gives me a headache), and I am not glued to my phone (I spend about $11/month on my plan, sharing it with BF).
I use what is around me for convenience and within reason.
AS A MINIMALIST I WANT YOU TO:
- Be happy and find happiness in less: Excess in any aspect is never a good thing
- Learn to love and appreciate experiences over things
- Live your life with purpose and to find and realize your dream
- Live your life by being conscious of what you own, use and buy
- To relax, de-stress and enjoy your life, not to race to the end of it
- Help cut down on environmental waste in whatever way you can*
- Live your life by making your own rules of what you think is necessary**
- To challenge the “truths” about life, like having to be in debt, that you must be a workaholic or own a home***
*You don’t need to give up meat or your car, but just be aware that eating too much meat for instance, is not a good thing for your body or for the environment, so if you scale back in that area, you are helping yourself and the environment. Like me, you can own a car but just be conscious to not drive it all the time, everywhere, even just to around the corner.
**I don’t do the 100 item thing for instance, but if you want to because it is a worthwhile challenge then please go ahead and do so!
*You don’t need to give up meat or your car, but just be aware that eating too much meat for instance, is not a good thing for your body or for the environment, so if you scale back in that area, you are helping yourself and the environment. Like me, you can own a car but just be conscious to not drive it all the time, everywhere, even just to around the corner.
**I don’t do the 100 item thing for instance, but if you want to because it is a worthwhile challenge then please go ahead and do so!
MINIMALISM IS NOT AN EXTREMIST MOVEMENT
Minimalism is not just a fad. It’s a gradual lifestyle change and a different way of life. It’s changing the way you think, for good. It is a movement in the strictest definition, but not in the kind where it makes you feel BAD about yourself and your life.
In my mind, minimalism was never intended to make anyone feel bad for what they have, or to “beat” other minimalists by only owning 50 or 100 items.
But perhaps Jamie is right in that the name “minimalism” is not correct, but it does speak to the general idea of being with less, living with less and being conscious of your decisions rather than accepting the given truths of life.
MINIMALISM CAN AND IS CHANGING THE WORLD
People are becoming more conscious about what they own, even if they don’t end up calling themselves minimalists, or only paring down to 100 items.
The point is to get people to start thinking about these things, and to feel good with less, but I never want anyone to feel like they should throw it all away.
I’m happiest when people say things like: Wow, I never thought about just sleeping on a futon on the floor, rather than having a bed and all the accessories. What a great idea!
You don’t need to sleep on a floor or do anything specific to be a minimalist. I don’t care what you do or don’t do.
I just want everyone to hear what the other options and alternatives out there to what they’re used to as “normal living”, and even if you think it’s stupid, a waste of time or not worth it — at least you know it exists as an option.
MINIMALISM IS NOT A COMPETITION AGAINST OTHERS…
… to be greener, better, richer, or whatever else you can think of.
Quite frankly, who cares what they think?
They aren’t living your life, and you aren’t living theirs. You can only do what is best for you, and whatever you choose to name it, is your own business.
I chose “Minimalism” because I don’t like to complicate anything by starting to define everything, and it is easy to understand as a basic concept if you don’t try to get caught up in the details.
And I leave you with this: Why Choose Minimalism?
A Minimalist’s Train of Thought
Less money spent means more money saved
More money saved means the longer you can live in financial peace and security
Financial peace and security comes from owning less
Less stuff owned means less to carry around, move or have to travel with
Less responsibility for your stuff also means less maintenance and more time
The more time you have, the more relaxed you will feel
The more relaxed you are, the less you will care about stuff
If you care less about stuff, it means you’ll care less about image
If you care less about image, you will care more about experiences and memories
If you care more about experiences and memories, you will be happier with less
If you are happier with less, you’ll never want or need for more
The less you want or need for more, the more you will feel free
