Minimalism is on the rise and it’s a very good thing. It’s the new buzz word that’s trending and growing in popularity in our culture but it’s different than all the other trends out there…
Trends change over time into new trends but this trend is not going away anytime soon. That’s because minimalism is life changing for those that embrace it.
A life with less, slow living, simple living, intentional living, minimizing your home, the minimalist movement…You’ll see lots of these phrases used all over the internet but what is minimalism exactly?
The exact definition varies depending on who you ask but at it’s core, minimalism means living a life with less.
Minimalists work hard to make sure that their belongings don’t infiltrate their life. This can be an extremely challenging mindset shift for so many people who live for acquiring possessions and working to pay for them whether they recognize it or not.
A 2017 study showed that more than ¾ of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and in 2019, 69% of people surveyed in a Go Banking Rates poll said that they had less than $1,000 in savings!
If this was the financial status of Americans in a strong economy, you can imagine how devastating the financial impacts will be for Americans in a struggling economy.
We are shopping with money that we don’t have to try and keep up this image of perfection that we think is going to make us content.
Can you really blame us?
We are inundated with advertisements on Facebook, Instagram and the television. These ads being forced upon us make us feel that we don’t have enough. In addition to marketers winning at grabbing our attention, we’re comparing ourselves to others on social media and trying to keep up.
We NEED MORE. And you know how it goes - To get more, you must DO MORE…
Work long hours to afford your beautiful home and all the stuff in it.
Spend lots of money, sometimes almost an entire salary, on the best daycare for your kids so they can be well taken care of…
Just to afford this lifestyle you’ve created.
It’s no wonder we, as a society, were depressed and anxious long before this pandemic showed up at our doorstep.
Do all of our belongings really bring us the happiness we are searching for?
Do all of your material possessions add value to your life and allow you to live intentionally?
OR
Is what you are allowing into your life, physically and mentally, taking away your ability to think straight in the middle of all the noise that surrounds you?
Deep down we don’t really want more toys, clothes or home décor. We want what we think those material possessions will bring us.
We can’t keep up. We can’t pass up an amazing sale. We can’t pass up that job that pays really well but will make us miserable in the long run. We’re always looking towards the next best thing - The next best phone upgrade, home décor trend, television, kitchen gadget…we’re looking to accumulate more to make our lives easier. That’s precisely how marketers want us to behave. They have us right where they want us!
It’s Not About the White Walls
Many minimalists enjoy the aesthetics of clean, white walls. Some like the white aesthetic because too much color overwhelms them. White has a peaceful, calming effect on many.
Others like it because it gives them a chance to easily change out their decor without having to figure out how to match colors. They can add pops of color here and there and change the look of their space with ease.
Some minimalist homes may seem empty but if you really looked at their lives you might find that they are extremely full, not of things, but of what matters.
Minimalism is not about having an empty house with white walls and everything to do with the freedom that comes from having less material possessions that take away the focus from what really matters in life.
It’s Not About The # of Items You Own
Sometimes people get defensive when they come across someone who calls themselves a minimalist because they feel that they have to let go of all of their stuff! This simply isn’t true. While there are some minimalists that get pretty extreme when purging their belongings, there are others that keep what they enjoy and value without feeling guilty at all. What’s the sense in letting go of something you are using just because you think that’s not what a true minimalist would do? The beauty of minimalism, is that you make the rules.
When discussing the minor details of what minimalism looks like in every home, we have to be really careful not to let another family’s definition of it dictate what our home looks like. Once you start embracing this lifestyle, you’ll quickly find out that this is going to take longer than you expect. Minimalism is a long game…
Declutter
Test Out Your Space
Repeat
This cycle might take you a few times to get your home the way you want because you’re setting up your home to support the needs of your family and the values you stand for…not what you see other minimalists doing.
Minimalism = More Time
The biggest change you’ll find when pursuing minimalism is that the more you let go of the things that surround you, the more TIME you’ll have to pursue the things you never had time to do before.
How amazing would it be to have a home for everything you own?
How would it feel to walk into a clean kitchen every morning?
What does it look like to have purposeful rhythms and routines in place that help you manage your home effortlessly?
What would it be like to feel content in your home and not feel like you have to catch up all the time on cleaning and laundry?
As the clutter starts getting hauled away, you’ll find that you’ll naturally be more purposeful about EVERYTHING. You’ll start prioritizing what’s brought into your home knowing that every purchase you make takes time to maintain.
Know Your Why
Minimalism doesn’t allow anything to get in the way of what you value. Decluttering and pursuing a life with less is not done without a purpose. Knowing your “why” is the best motivation to getting stuff done!
Do the things that surround you in your home align with what you value in your life? If not, I suggest you start looking through your belongings. Is clutter taking your focus away from what matters?