7 Years Later...What I Wish I'd Known About Minimalism
Several years ago, I created a post and video on the pros and cons of minimalism based on my few years of experience living minimally at that time. That post is still the most visited post on my site, so I thought I’d do an update after living simply for almost 7 years now. I wanted to share 4 more things that I’ve learned and wish I understood when starting my minimalist journey. If you prefer video, skip to the bottom of the article to view.
The desire to acquire doesn’t go away completely.
I still want things that I don’t need or love. Now, my willpower has definitely gotten stronger and I don’t buy most of the things I’m attracted to, but still…sometimes I’m surprised by how much I still want, especially when it comes to thrifting. Even though thrifting is a more mindful, sustainable form of consumption, giving discarded items new life and keeping them out of the landfill, and it’s cheaper, I still have to keep myself from going ham in the thrift store. Just because something is cheap and nice doesn’t mean it will add value to my life. In the beginning, I thought that minimalism would gradually reduce my desire for consumption, but it’s clear I still have work to do. My desire for things needs to be addressed on emotional and spiritual levels and likely is connected to growing up poor.
The constant interrogation can be exhausting.
Deciding if I should acquire something is not always a simple process. Large and small purchases alike can take time to consider. Sometimes I get so sick of the back and forth with myself, I end up not buying anything! I suppose not buying anything is the silver lining for my space and my wallet, but still, the process is frustrating and decision fatigue is a real thing. I talk about decision fatigue in my book and how it can sometimes lead to making poor decisions. Whether you’re minimalist or not, we all suffer from it because of the society we live with information overload. Our lifestyle, career, relationships, technologies, and more all contribute to the number of decisions we make in any given day. For me though, I think the fatigues comes from a lack of commitment to my values and priorities at times. If I was 100% committed, would it be easier and quicker to say yes or no? Knowing your priorities, which stem from your values, and keeping them fresh in your mind, helps simplify the decision making process.
Social media can become another form of consumption.
This idea is also related to the society we live in, similar to decision fatigue, but it’s related to minimalism because I believe on some level, I’ve replaced physical consumption with digital consumption. The endless scroll of social media and fulfills the need for more! Social media doesn’t take up physical space, it doesn’t cost money, but it’s the most expensive thing we consume because it costs us our time and takes up mental and emotional space. I believe that even many seasoned minimalists like myself still struggle with digital consumption. If your work or hobbies are connected to use of the internet, it can be even more daunting to unplug. I use the internet for work, to keep up with friends and family, for entertainment, and for marketing myself and it’s definitely been hard to unplug. When I was writing Mindful Simplicity, I started using the screen time functions on my iPhone more consistently because I could not afford to waste time. Social media can also have you out here thinking you’re a fraud. I’ve definitely compared myself to others and questioned whether I was “minimalist” enough or wondered why my platform isn’t as large as others. Ultimately, I’ve had to remind myself that my journey is mine, what is for me is for me, and it’s imperative to embrace who I am in this space.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell are good books to read on the impact of the digital world in our lives.
Minimalism can get boring.
If you only consume the popular aesthetic minimalism where everyone looks the same and has the same style, and does the same things, you may not recognize the diversity of minimalism. I was definitely guilty of playing into the minimalist aesthetic when it came to my website and wardrobe, until I got tired of it. While there is nothing wrong with that minimalist look, in my opinion it’s not representative of all that minimalism can be. If we believe that each of us gets to define minimalism for ourselves, then it should look differently. Additionally, not everyone who lives simply and intentionally identify as minimalists. Black Minimalists was created so that we, black folx, could see ourselves represented in this movement and show the myriad ways we express ourselves. In this community and beyond, there are people who consider themselves to be alternative dwellers, ecoists, who practice debt-freedom or sustainability. Not only are there many ways of being “minimalist”, but on my journey, minimalism has shown up in other areas, like my spiritual practice Hoodoo. Hoodoo is all about cleansing, being clutter-free, and using what you have (ancestors included) to get what you need and want. It appears in my beauty and self-care practice, as well, as my art. Let’s focus on and celebrate the multifacetedness of minimalism.
Understanding these four realizations for me represents my maturity on this journey. After 7 years, I feel as though I’m seasoned in some respects, but just beginning in others. I’m discovering new layers of me and this lifestyle through creativity and spirituality. I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’m grateful to have found minimalism and I look forward to how my journey will evolve over the years.