If you are curious about simplicity and minimalism, you may want to understand the difference between the two. You want to be clear about the lifestyle change you are making.
When I started to simplify my life, reduce the number of things I owned and pare down my wardrobe and schedule, I didn’t really think about the difference between simplicity and minimalism. There wasn’t a name for what I was doing at first. I wasn’t trying to create a minimalist lifestyle. I was only trying to reduce stress so I could feel better.
As I got more serious about clearing clutter and reducing excess obligations and distractions, I started to think about naming my actions. Was it simplicity or minimalism? Maybe it was intentionality.
Simplicity and Minimalism: What’s The Difference?
Maybe it comes down to semantics. Here are some definitions (from Dictionary.com).
- Simplicity the state, quality, or an instance of being simple. The absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness.
- Minimalism a lifestyle involving a reduction or simplification of one’s material possessions that frees one to lead an existence that is more intentional, purposeful, spiritual, etc.
- Simple living is a minimal, low-consumption way of living sometimes called minimalism.
My response to “What is the difference between simplicity and minimalism?” is this:
What you call it isn’t nearly as important as what you do with it. Maybe you want to simplify your belongings and declutter your home to live a more meaningful life. Or by owning fewer things you hope to shift your mindset from always wanting more to figuring out what “enough” means to you.
I used to have way too much stuff in my wardrobe. Now I dress with 33 items or less. Does that make me a minimalist? Maybe. Maybe not. Does it matter? I’m not sure. If it’s inspiring to you to become a minimalist, call it minimalism. If the term minimalism feels intimidating, focus on simplifying your life.
Simplicity and minimalism can both lead to clear countertops, more space in your closet and home and less stuff to take care of and manage.
Simplicity and minimalism can also:
- Provide support during a life transition.
- Encourage a downsize.
- Contribute to financial freedom.
- Help you sleep better.
- Make you feel less stressed.
- Inspire happiness.
Call it what you want, simplicity and minimalism, simple living or frugality, intentional living or simple living and put it into action. Sure you’ll have less. Less stuff. And then you’ll have more. More Love. More Freedom. More Happiness. More purpose.
In an older blog post, I shared some tips for beginner minimalists and wrote, “While it’s really not important to call yourself a minimalist, adopting the mindset of a minimalist (especially when it comes to stuff, spending and overdoing it) can really make a positive difference in your life.”
My minimalist journey and how I live a more intentional life
Even though I’ve made big changes in my life, it’s been a slow, step-by-step adventure in developing a more minimalist mindset. While I never had a specific destination in mind, I knew I wanted to reduce stress and create more room to feel good and be present in my life. I simplified my diet, stuff, debt, health, home and schedule. It took years, hundreds of tiny steps, and I’m still making progress. There are a few reasons why I intentionally take my time.
- When I started to simplify, I was sick. I had to take it slowly.
- In my experience, slow shifts are more sustainable than radical change.
- I have a family and didn’t want to create a stressful life in search of a simple one.
- I want time to experiment and discover what enough really means at each stage of my life.
- Getting rid of stuff and owning fewer things was never the goal. I want to know what matters to me and why I’m making space. That takes time.
- I am still experimenting and defining what enough means to me.
The idea of experimenting has given me permission to be curious and try new things without the pressure of a big change. Through these experiments, I created a tiny wardrobe, downsized from a big home to a small apartment, stopped drinking, created a morning routine and more.
If simplifying your life feels overwhelming or If you want to become a minimalist without getting frustrated or burning out, try tiny steps. Instead of decluttering everything overnight to move into a tiny home, start by keeping a box by the door for odds and ends that don’t matter to you.
Start by cleaning out your pantry or a corner of your closet. If you want to cut back on social media so you have more time, start by protecting a few minutes every morning before you check your phone. Instead of getting rid of everything, try living without something for 30 days and see how it goes. This little guide to living with less will help too.
