Minimalism gets a tough rap. Sure, Leo Babauta of http://mnmlist.com/ dominates the scene. But for those of us small time minimalists, it seems like we are always defending ourselves against a lifestyle that has far reaching benefits. From parents to friends, I have been looked at as a crazy young male who follows a minimalist practice with hopes of becoming some random Buddhist monk with no intention of achieving much. That is far from the truth, but for some reason very few people do not grab the concept of why I am a minimalist. So I have recently learned to turn the tables on them. Why DON’T you want to be a minimalist?
I am one of those people that loves to defend themselves in most instances. Usually, so I can prove others wrong and that may be a bad habit, but I selfishly thoroughly enjoy it. Not only am I wrong at times, but I rarely see the deeper question being asked. That is definitely a huge flaw. I have not been able to get my minimalism perspective understood by many people because they usually defend their ‘stuff’-addiction. That’s when I came up with the question.
The question puts the ball in the other persons lap. That person must derive an answer that isn’t based on a defensive attitude. For example, if I were to ask someone, “Why do you think you are the best?” they usually will give a push back answer. With the question, “Why don’t you want to be a minimalist?”, the person being asked goes through the thought process of asking themselves why they are not choosing a specific path. The battle of proving one’s self right is not apparent and the question is answered with one’s true feelings to such issue.
I am not going to argue or try to prove that minimalism is the best lifestyle right now. I am trying to show that posing the question to yourself in a different light may bring about a different response and conclusion. Minimalism isn’t for everyone, unfortunately. But we should really ask ourselves more questions before downing the minimalism perspective, or anything for that matter, right off the bat.
What I am going to ask of you is that you look in the mirror and ask the question, “Why don’t I want to be a minimalist?” By asking this question to yourself, the answers you come up with will come from a true analytic thought process and not allow you to be defensive towards the person asking such question.
Click here to let me know how this question effected you…
Hope this question opens your eyes to the minimalist world!
Have a great day…
Dave
LifeExcursion
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I’m a minimalist myself. For me, the question about why I’m a minimalist doesn’t seem to come up much, unless I bring it up. When people see my room and how little I have, they might ask about it. But my room is thoughtfully arranged so that the little amount of stuff actually has a calming effect, and usually their response is “Wow, I wish I could do that.” Sometimes people ask me why, and I tell them it’s all about “living deliberately”, to quote Thoreau.
Keep up the good work, I like your posts on minimalism. It’s how I found your site, now I’m a regular reader.
Thanks for your insights Travis. I appreciate your comments and your returned visits. Hopefully, I can continue to feed your minimalist desire.
Do you have a site/blog?
Dave
LifeExcursion
I haven’t given much thought to minimizing my wants and consumption until recently.
I’ve started to clear a lot of the clutter that had taken over my living space, by throwing away/donating things that detract from a streamlined minimal living.
Clearing the clutter not only helped me clear more living space, I have been able to clear my mind when in my own ‘space’.
We tend to be bombarded with advertising telling us that we ‘need’ things, but it’s nice to stand back and enjoy the serenity that comes with minimalism.
.-= Ken Kurowasa´s last blog ..What Are You Doing To Prepare For The Future? =-.
Although the field is dominated in some ways be Leo, I think the rest of us Minimalists have as much value to add if not more than Leo can on his own.
I meet with resistance when I talk about reducing, downsizing and changing your life to embrace less than embracing more but it has so many far ranging and high impact effects on your life.
I really enjoy how you phrase the question, it’s much more open and inviting to thought than an aggressive – why you do have all that stuff – question which usually only results in defensive posturing.
.-= Carl´s last blog ..An Interview with Cath Duncan – The Bottom-line Bookclub =-.