Defining Minimalism

If you have decided to live with less, you may have also wondered about minimalism. Reading about modern day minimalists like Everett Bogue or Joshua Becker, may have you confused about what minimalism really is. How could each of these people be minimalists, when their lives are so different?

Everett Bogue created a location independent business, has lived out of a backpack, owning less than 50 things, and only works a few hours a week, while Joshua Becker has a home in Vermont, is married with two small children and likely works to support his family.

How can they both be living the same lifestyle?

Everett and Joshua do not live the same lifestyle, but they are both minimalists. They both decided that, “enough is enough”. They both decided that the “American Dream” of working more, to make more, to spend more and have more wasn’t working for them. They both chose to live life on purpose. While there are similarities, minimalism is defined differently by each person, and each person modifies the definition as time goes on.

Why does the definition change over time?

At the beginning, you may define minimalism as cleaning out your junk drawer. When you start to unclutter, you immediately see the benefits of living with less. This benefit may be something as simple as always being able to find that one thing you used to spend time looking for. As you start to enjoy the benefit, you look for ways to live more simply. What starts out as an external journey (giving things away, cutting the cable), becomes very personal, intentional and more meaningful. You start to think of “stuff” as not just things but obligation, debt and stress. Then you see how this “stuff” is getting in the way of your LIFE and decide to make a bigger change. It’s at this point that minimalism becomes more about who you are, instead of what you have.

What minimalists have in common:

• The “enough is enough” moment
• A desire to live with less
• They all made a choice to change

In my life, minimalism is:

• Ultimate simplicity
• Living with less
• Making time and space to discover what is really important
• Working towards real freedom
• Redefining freedom
• The answer to “enough is enough”
• Expecting and welcoming change

Minimalism Resources:

• i love (my personal recommendations)
• Know the Power of No
• Misconceptions About Minimalism
• 18 Ways You Might Be a Minimalist

The great thing about minimalism is that when you really dig in, you realize that when you live with less, your life becomes more than you ever imagined.

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