Is this more than a semantic difference?
I’ll give away the ending, Yes. And again yes, I realize this debate has been done to death recently and you’re likely tired of hearing about it. But since Minimalism had such a huge impact on my life over the last couple of years and getting me where I am, it’s a big deal to me and something I feel like expounding on briefly. If you’re done with this whole mess, by all means head out and come back next week when I will have moved on to greener pastures and other topics. If not, read on for my take on this debate and why I’ve decided that I no longer label myself a minimalist…
Minimalism is a useful tool for simplifying your life, home, yard, car, work, etc…It is not – IMHO – a way of life. The difference between these two classifications is that a tool is something you use then put away while a way of life is not. It becomes part of what defines you and makes you uniquely you. You can have a minimalist aesthetic, you can like minimalist design, but what I now realize is that it’s hard if not impossible to BE a minimalist.
On the other hand, to live simply is…well…simple. All you have to do is focus on what’s important and the rest sorta falls away. I know, I know, that sounds so trite even I throw up a little when I read it, but bear with me for a minute and see if you don’t end up agreeing.
You don’t have to be anti-consumerist in order to live a simple life. I like Katy Wolk-Stanley’s take, she calls her blog the Non-Consumer Advocate. That sums it up so nicely I’m not sure I can add anything useful. You don’t have to be against something, just don’t let it affect your life. Ignore it.
That’s the crux for me. Minimalism has morphed (at least the online community) into a lifestyle design if-you’re-not-with-us-you’re-just-part-of-the-problem cool kids club that I want nothing to do with. I don’t shop for new clothes often, but when I need a new shirt for work (I only have a couple that are dressy enough) I want to be able to go get one without being made to feel guilty. I get good quality stuff so it lasts a long time, and I know how to make most repairs barely noticeable.
Living simply does not require that you follow a prescribed set of steps (other than the overarching and painfully self evident one – SIMPLIFY). It doesn’t require you to quit your job (unless you really want to). It doesn’t even require you to call yourself by any particular moniker (again, unless you want to).
Apologies for letting this turn into a bit of a rant, but then again it is called Barefoot RAMBLING! let me know in the comments if I’m missing something, got too far off topic, or if you want to call me an ignoramus for insulting your beloved minimalist blogosphere. I can take it.
Oh, and this should be the last time I post using the subject of minimalism. If people are going to find my little blog I’d rather they get here by searching for Simple(r) topics.
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