What is minimalism? A no-nonsense definition that busts common myths

We often find decluttering and reorganising (Marie Kondo style or not) and minimalism used as if they were the same thing. We’ve also come across people who’ve given up on minimalism because they feel it’s unattainable. This is a real shame, because we believe everyone can benefit from a more minimalist mindset. It also tells us that minimalism (how WE perceive and live it) is often misunderstood. And being the opinionated people we are, we felt we needed to rectify this misconception. So, let’s debunk minimalism – once and for all.

What is NOT minimalism (by our definition)?

Minimalism is not about depriving ourselves or denying pleasure. And it certainly is not about glorifying or romanticising poverty.

It’s not about owning a fixed or maximum number of items. And it’s not a contest of who can live with the fewest possessions?. Likewise, it’s not about living in a home devoid of furniture.

Minimalism is not about reorganising our wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, etc. And it is not decluttering – though for many, decluttering can be the first step on their minimalist journey.

Minimalism is not a one-size-fits-all. It is also not a project with a finite end date.

Let’s be clear, too: Minimalism is not a new trend (far from it), and it will not soon go out of fashion (more on that below).

Minimalism is about more than getting rid of stuff. It is actually about aligning my life’s resources with my greatest values. – Joshua Becker

What IS minimalism (by our definition)?

Minimalism is about finding balance and contentment, not by chasing material possessions but by aligning what we DO with who we ARE:

• That means, firstly (and most importantly), that minimalism is about knowing what is truly important to us. It’s about understanding our inner compass – our values.
• Secondly, it’s about making conscious decisions based on our values – by inviting what gives us value into our lives and eliminating (or at least, reducing) what doesn’t. Or put differently: By freeing ourselves from distractions, we can (re)direct our energies towards what truly matters to us.

Minimalism is about living without external pressures (from peers, society, clever advertising). It’s about living in a way that feels full, authentic, grounded and less stressed.

Minimalism is about quality, not quantity.

Minimalist living is different for everyone, as we all have different values.

Ultimately, it’s a mindset, a lifestyle choice and a life philosophy. As such, it’s an ongoing process (or, as we call it, a journey).

Minimalism is a tool to create the life you want. – Hannah Faed

How did minimalism come about?

Minimalism (by our definition) is not new, though it wasn’t always called that. Let’s examine its various roots and incarnations.

Common spiritual theme

Gaining wisdom and becoming a better self by letting go of possessions (in the broadest sense of the word) has been the subject of religious teachings (across all religions) for centuries:

• Jesus is said to have lived a very simple life. He even requested that ‘[…] anyone of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple’ (Luke 14:33).
• Fasting during Ramadan reminds Muslims of what it is like to be poor, to be grateful for what we have and to be generous towards those less fortunate.
• In Jewish burial, people are cleansed and then clothed in a white linen robe without pockets, symbolising that we are judged on our merits, not our material wealth, when we leave this world.
• According to Hindu scriptures, materialism and spirituality are two paths in life one has to choose. We can reach eternal heaven only if we overcome our attachment to worldly life.
• In Zen Buddhism, meditation helps us live (in the here and now), without distractions, and in greater harmony with ourselves and those around us.

Similarly, the Ancient Stoics (from ~300BC to ~180AD) taught the people of their time (and ultimately us) that we are in command of our life. That a good life is not built on wealth, status or possessions, but on character, purpose and meaningful relationships. That stripping away the stuff that doesn’t matter (and accepting what we can’t change) gives us the clarity to pursue what does (and change what we can).

Societal critique

Whenever humans felt let down or disconnected from mainstream society, counter-cultures developed.

In the 19th century, philosophers like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson criticized the (pre-civil war) America of their days: an increasingly industrialized society with institutions that undermined and corrupted the power of the individual and nature itself. Their answer to it was Transcendentalism, a philosophy which believes (like Hinduism and Zen Buddhism) that we already hold the answers to our questions, and that simplicity and self-reflection lead to insight and enlightenment.

Thoreau even tested his views in an experiment: he lived in a forest far from society for two years, an experience he shared in his book Walden.

Artistic revolution

Simplicity (re)gained popularity as a design form in the 1920s/30s. After World War I, Walter Gropius and later Ludwig Mies van der Rohe led an experimental art school that combined applied and fine arts, influencing art, design and architecture today. The German Bauhaus style was known for its clean lines and everything you need/nothing you don’t approach to function and design.

Stripping away superfluous layers in art and design continued decades after the Bauhaus closed. In the 1960s/70s, minimalism as an art form was developed to create a zen-like experience based on simplicity, utility and elegance. It aimed to heighten specific experiences by reducing distractions. It’s trying to do the most with the fewest number of things. (Stephen Chung/Architect).

Post-modernist counter-culture

As a counterculture and lifestyle choice, voluntary simplicity (re)gained traction in the late 20th century in response to an increasingly self-destructive society driven by exponential economic growth, materialism and overconsumption. The two-part documentary Affluenza / Escape from Affluenza was made during that time.

Minimalism as a life philosophy has gained further popularity since the Global Financial Crisis, thanks to big-name bloggers, podcast hosts and book authors like Joshua Fields-Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists), Joshua Becker (Becoming Minimalist), Courtney Carver (Be More With Less), Leo Babauta (Zen Habits) and Brooke McAlary (The Tortoise and formerly The Slow Home podcasts).

Without (the sharing of) their learnings, we may not have embarked on our minimalist journey (or at least not when we did). We even met Ryan and Joshua in Sydney in November 2014 (and gave them a big hug – physical distancing wasn’t a thing back then).

If you put your energy where your heart is, you will create ripples (Minimalist Journeys).

Should minimalism as a lifestyle choice be renamed?

Minimalism is derived from the Latin word minimis (the least). It’s no wonder that minimalism as a life philosophy is often misunderstood. So, should we rename it?

We’ve considered this question many times over the years and haven’t reached a satisfactory conclusion yet. Given the misconceptions about minimalism, maybe a better description would be conscious / mindful / intentional or values-aligned living? Though none of these are as catchy as minimalism, are they?

Let us know if you have a great, snappy word (or phrase) that better encapsulates what minimalism as a life philosophy is about.

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