You Need to Stop Believing them

I Believed these Myths about the Minimalist Lifestyle

But now I don’t. There are a Million ways to Embrace Minimalism.

I want to thank the time when we didn’t have the option to go out and shop or order online. Our life was normal, living with the things we had and putting them in the best use. And this is when I understood that having this feeling of wanting something more, buying some stuff each week was just a waste of money and energy. I was happy with what I owned and had this sense of joy that I can put this money which I was saving in for some better use.

And also I had the feeling of calmness since I had fewer things in my mind to think about. During that time going outside, thinking of what to buy, what to eat. I didn’t have those luxuries but I was collected with my thoughts by not wanting those luxuries. And I understood how owning less meant to care for fewer things.

Many people I know want to follow the minimalist lifestyle but they are too intimidated by it. They feel that the minimalist lifestyle doesn’t allow you to own nice and fancy things. It will make their life boring.

This is the biggest misconception they all have. They don’t have to move into a tiny home, get rid of 70% of their stuff, wear only white & black t-shirts, or own only a pair of tablespoon and fork. Minimalism can be molded and changed to fit our needs. As Joshua Becker told, It is always going to be practiced differently by each individual.

I mean, you can live with only 30% of your things or move into a tiny house. But you don’t have to do it just because you have watched someone doing it. People like Matt D’Avella, Joshua Becker, and The Minimalists, they all have been following minimalism for over a decade and none of them do it. They all have their version of the minimalist lifestyle and enjoy every part.

Here are three myths about minimalism that you need to stop believing.

1. Minimalists can’t want or have nice things.

As a minimalist, you don’t like to buy many things and the biggest freedom it provides to you is you can buy nice things. When you know owning fewer things is good, you buy the best when you do your purchase.

You know how to buy jeans which fit best and are comfortable to wear rather than buying multiple jeans. The same thing can be applied to all things. Owning fewer things and buying nice things go hand-in-hand and we value our every purchase.

2. Minimalists are boring.

A lot of people consider being a minimalist is being a boring person. You eat the same meals, you wear the same clothes, you drive the same car for nearly 10 years, you live in a small space with only essentials. The only thing you do that is probably interesting is the places you visit. Everything else seems boring, filled with the same processes and routines, daily grind.

You don’t have to wear the same things every day or wear solid and neutral colored cloths. Minimalists can do trends and wear anything they like. It’s just your personal preference, as simple as that.

You can have your minimalist shoe collection or you can buy PS4. You’re still a minimalist. You don’t have to give up on things like these if you love them.

3. Minimalism Is Just About Physical Items.

Things which we physically own as well as our mental well being, minimalism helps to get clarity in both aspects.

Minimalism is less about the things you have and more about the mindset you create around what you allow into your life.

It can be taken under the context of anything like your life in general, your digital life with mobile phones, laptops, or your mental life. It will help you everywhere.

You can simply declutter your life in your processes by reducing the number of friends with whom you don’t enjoy and even by removing yourself from social media platforms and spend more time doing what you love.

Since the coronavirus pandemic, many people have lost their jobs and many are not getting their salaries. We need to find a way to sustain in these times. Now we have to see, how can we get the same kind of lifestyle or how can we make it better by sustaining under our own pockets.

Hope you guys are safe and looking for each other in these difficult times.

“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it. It is a highly personal journey that forces you to identify and articulate your highest values. Because of that, it is always going to be practiced differently by each individual.” — Joshua Becker