Why Minimalism Isn’t For Everyone

Becoming a minimalist can be beneficial for some, but is it right for everyone? I became a minimalist about two years ago, and in that time, I’ve discovered a few reasons why minimalism might not be for everyone.

1.It’s hard

Going through the decluttering process, changing the way you spend money, and choosing new hobbies that don’t involve excessive amounts of money are all situations that will not be easy to implement. The decluttering process alone took me about a year, as I did it slowly and intentionally. Finding things to do with all of my new free time really forced me to think about what I actually want out of life.

2. It will force you to grow

Once I went minimalist and started finding loads of free time, I had to figure out what to do with that time. I started reigniting passions that I’d pushed aside long ago, becoming a better photographer, writer, friend, and person. I learned about traveling on a budget, and I quit my dead end job to pursue my dreams of traveling the world.

I read more and I started learning how to make videos. I focused more time on my health and relationships and learned how to ease my anxiety. I learned how to cook. I started making my own beauty products. I learned more about how consumerism impacts our environment and took steps to create less waste in the world. If I’d continued my consumer-focused lifestyle, I probably would not have learned about any of these topics.

 

3. It might change your relationships

The simple process of decluttering my one bedroom house (which I lived in with my boyfriend) forced to me acknowledge the hoarding tendencies of my partner. It also forced me to acknowledge that the status of our relationship was less than ideal. We had been together for four years, and in that time we grew more apart than together.

Minimalism made me look at my relationships and really implement a bird’s eye view of how I was spending my time, and with whom. I started spending more time with people who were positive, people who were interested in a non-consumer based lifestyle, and people who inspired and motivated me to continue on my journey of growth.

4. It will reveal your priorities

Priorities are shown through action. When you are choosing how to spend your time intentionally, versus spending your time by doing what you feel you should be doing, you are revealing your true priorities in life. After going minimalist, I made sure that the time I was spending with others was quality time.

I no longer spent time just hanging out at my parents house – now I go there, talk with everyone, and catch up properly. This way I still have time to focus on my other priorities like photography, writing, cooking, and self development.

Minimalism can change your life in such a deep and real way. Maybe minimalism isn’t for everyone, but for some, it can be a truly life changing shift.

 

Your Turn!

  • Are you a minimalist?
  • What was the hardest part about becoming a minimalist?

 

 

4 Comments
  1. For me now…I still struggle with those people that for whatever reason want to negate me as a minimalist. They think ‘its cute you think you are a minimalist’. Some spout off about how oh you bought a house? How is that minimalist if you have to buy a lawnmower. How is that lawnmower going to provide you joy? Um I can think of a lot of ways but first off becoming minimalist over the past 5 years has ALLOWED me to finally get out of financial straits to where I can OWN a home. UGH. That’s just one example. Everyone just has this one idea of what minimalism means.

  2. Minimalism is relative. It might be good to give each other examples of our
    successful resolution of difficult challenges. Part of minimalism is the conscious choices we make. In an economy that needs to “grow” to remain healthy, the minimalist will always be seen as a heretic. If we can continue to do “business as usual” without any negative consequences, the minimalist will forever remain a historical footnote.
    However, if there are limits to “growth”, the minimalist provides the model for graceful living.

  3. Interesting read! I actually adhere to many of these tenets- intentionality, frugality, fostering meaningful relationships, fun on a budget, cooking, making cleaning and beauty products, think along time about what I buy, Aim for quality over quantity, second hand shop, I rarely shop just for fun, etc…. BUT…. I am NOT a minimalist, I like to have things around for when I might need them…
    Halloween costume? I have a teddy bear, a princess and a bumblebee…
    Need a gift for the teacher ? I got you , kid…
    Christmas dishes and goblets? Check AND they bring me joy whenever I bring them out! You get the idea 🙂 . Just thought you might enjoy hearing from someone with a similar mindset who loves a good tableau of sea shells, shed antlers, African carvings, silver teapots, Swedish horses, children’s art and classic books… 🙂 (all of which have personal meaning of family History , travels, experiences) any how, cheers to you and I look forward to exploring your site 🙂

  4. I am a happy minimalist pensioner.
    Would not change this way of being
    so and living simply for anything.
    Am ever so happy. Greetings from
    a lady Swiss pensioner.

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