Ready to bust some myths about minimalism?

Minimalists have to declutter and throw out basically everything? Minimalists can’t spend money? Minimalism is just about physical items? There are certain rules of minimalism I have to follow in order to be a ‘true’ minimalist?

These are some of the common myths that people often associate minimalism with. Throughout this month we have strived to eradicate these misconceptions by discussing various topics in minimalism. Continue reading to bust these myths and learn about what it should actually be!

Minimalists have to purge things.

It is true that most minimalists seek to own less stuff. Decluttering is a key part of the minimalist journey, the goal being to remove the things you don’t need. Minimalists strive to get rid of anything standing in the way of themselves and the life they want to live. However, it is a complete myth that you have to remove everything from your life. While some may say that you should only have x number of items of clothing, if wearing a different outfit every day makes you happy, then go for it.

The idea of keeping things that ‘spark joy’ is that you should keep the things that are practical or that make you happy, and if something doesn’t make you happy then it doesn’t have a place in your home. But really, you don’t have to throw out all things in order to be a minimalist. Just because you live a minimalist life, doesn’t mean your entire home or wardrobe is stark white and empty.

Minimalists can’t spend money.

It’s true that minimalists are not out buying new stuff all the time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t spend money. Part of the minimalist journey is to learn a new mindset by really considering your purchases before making them.

Minimalists buy with intention and purpose. Want a new gadget? Fine, but think about it first and make sure that it’s really worth it. Ask yourself, will it enhance my life in a meaningful way? Do I have the space? Do I have the money to spare? Minimalism is a lifestyle. It isn’t about your possessions. It’s not about where you live or how much money you have. Instead of seeing the world as a series of products to consume, it’s a mindset that helps each of us remove excess so that we can focus on what really matters. Rather than quantitative rules, minimalism is more about a mindset. Less mindless spending, more purchasing items that make you happy and that you love.

Minimalism is just about physical items.

With all the photos of aesthetic and minimalistic interior designs online, it is not surprising that people often associate minimalism with reducing physical items only e.g. clothes, household items, possessions. However, minimalism is less about the things you own and more about the mindset you create around what you allow into your life.

Throughout the month, we have discussed various topics in minimalism, including relationships, activities, beliefs and digital usage. Being minimal in these aspects allows you to simplify and ‘declutter’ your life by eliminating toxic relationships that do not make you happy and even by removing yourself from social media channels or spending more time focusing on doing what you love and enjoy.

You have to follow the rules of minimalism.

‘I can’t live with only 100 items in my life’ ‘I can’t imagine wearing the same style of clothes every single day like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg’ ‘I can’t afford to spend so much on high quality products’. Well then you do not have to. There are no rules of minimalism for you to follow. While decluttering, simplifying your life and creating routines and choosing to purchase higher quality products to replace single-use items are great ways to include minimalism in your life, they are not the only way.

The only ‘rule’ is that you decide what minimalism will look like for you and then you create a life that supports this. Keep in mind, this will change over time. What minimalism looks like for you today might be different to what it looks like for you in years to come. You may progress in your minimalism efforts and gradually remove more things from your life or create even more simple processes, or you could even modify things and add a little more in to make you happy.

Minimalism, to me, is about living in alignment with my core values and freeing up more time and money for my relationships and experiences in life. But everyone’s definition of minimalism varies. This is your minimalist life. Your minimalism is your choice. Ignore all of the myths about minimalism, forget the idea of any ‘rules’ and create a simple and happy life that you love with intention and purpose.