Is a Minimalist Lifestyle Right for You?
Twice a year, I pack a fifth of my possessions and move into a living space a tenth of the size of a house.
This is the college lifestyle, but it allows me to experience some of the clear-headedness of a minimalist lifestyle. My space is clutter-free and just the right size for me, and I only have the essentials (okay, you got me — the untouched crocheting yarn is nonessential).
Minimalism is not all about space and possessions, though. How we spend our time plays a huge role.
I’m more conscious of the time I spend watching Netflix or YouTube when I’m living on campus, because I value spending my free time with friends.
Still, I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist.
When I move into a more permanent residence after college, my goal is to become my personal version of a minimalist. Then I realized — what does that really mean? So I did some digging. The first thing I wanted to understand about minimalism was what it is — where did it come from?
Minimalism: An Art Form
Before writing this, I had no idea that minimalism originated as an art movement.
This definition from tate.org summarizes minimalism as an art form:
“Minimalism is an extreme form of abstract art developed in the USA in the 1960s and typified by artworks composed of simple geometric shapes based on the square and the rectangle.”
The coolest part about this type of art is that it’s not supposed to represent physical objects.
Our brains are wired to compare unfamiliar shapes to familiar ones, possibly so we feel more in control. Daikon shaped like nude people, outlets shaped like shocked faces, nail polish chipped into the shape of Bruno Mars’s side profile. (Or maybe we’re just a narcissistic species.)
Minimalist art encourages viewers to focus on what they see in front of them rather than make comparisons, essentially swatting the thumbs from our mouths. Similarly, the minimalist lifestyle discourages living one goal at a time (which might be difficult for those of us in future-oriented societies).
Okay, so now I know that minimalism is an art movement as well as a lifestyle. At this point in my research, I’m wondering: What does one gain from a minimalist lifestyle?
What’s the Point?
Minimalism is like meditation — the destination is spiritual, not physical. The best part about not having a clear destination is that you can start today. Not by cleaning out your closet, but by letting go of something that takes up your space or time and doesn’t do much else for you.
Minimalists strive to live more meaningful lives, but what this means to each individual is entirely subjective. Someone may find meaning in a solitary life that connects them to nature; another might find meaning in a life constantly surrounded by people and connected to technology.
My first impression of minimalism came from Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things and Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, a.k.a. The Minimalists. On their website are hundreds of essays that answer any questions about minimalism you could think of, in topics like careers and relationships. Both documentary and website are great resources!
At this point, you might be thinking: Sounds great! But… I have a lot of responsibilities. How can I prioritize minimalism if I can’t even prioritize breakfast most days?
Do I Have To Quit My Job and Live in a Tiny House off the Grid?
Not even close. This was one of the common misconceptions I came across when researching minimalism. Regardless, this lifestyle still exists in the back of my mind as the “perfect” minimalist lifestyle. However, no lifestyle is perfect, and this misconception makes minimalism seem inaccessible when most minimalists want us to realize that it isn’t — that we can become minimalists just like them.
In his YouTube video, “The 3 Biggest Myths About Minimalism,” Matt D’Avella emphasizes this point:
“No two minimalists are the same.”
Minimalism is not supposed to be an angry family member telling you to donate your old foosball table before they dump it. You don’t have to get rid of objects that bring you joy because other minimalists get rid of them. Others can serve as guidelines to spark meaningful change in your life, but minimalism is all about the personal journey.
You might still have reservations about becoming a minimalist — so do I. Is minimalism a step in the right direction, or would a spa membership do just about the same?
Would Minimalism Benefit You?
Ask yourself these few questions to find out:
- Do you feel like the speed at which life is passing by prevents you from focusing on what’s important to you?
- Do you spend more time than you’d like on mundane tasks or things that are meant to distract rather than focus and clear your mind?
- Does a mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional part of you feel “off”?
If you answered “Heck yeah” to any of the questions, minimalism might be right up your alley. So what next?
Start the Journey
A good first step is to understand yourself.
Start with asking what values are most important to you and what you want out of life. Take it back to fourth grade with a “main ideas and details” web. Use your answers as the main ideas and actions you could take as the details.
As I’m finding out, answering truthfully is the most difficult part. But thinking about my answers reminds me of why things like family, education, and health are so important to me. It makes me want to declutter my time spent running in circles on social media or overthinking what I’m going to cook for dinner/which brand of pretzel I want.
If minimalism sounds right for you, take the opportunity it offers to focus on you and recalibrate your life. Easier said than done, but let’s get it done.
