Who’s Right & Who’s Wrong When It Comes to a Simple Life

Posted on May 2, 2010 by admin

(Article is ~400 words)


Throughout recent discussions, comments, and articles in the minimalist community, there has been a sense of simplifying being over done. So, I asked myself, “How much simplifying is too much?”

I am going to make a few generalizations here to bring up a topic, not to categorize everyone (despite that being what I am doing). It is just easier and simpler to discuss this in three groups.

As The Minimalist Path has grown, I have come across three types of readers. The first are those that are enthused and motivated by the articles here and have started applying simplistic ways to their own lives. The second are those that are starting to dip their toes in the minimalist water, but are still on the fence between a consumer-esque life and a minimalist one. The last group tend to be those that disagree with much of what is discussed here at TMP. I actually love the last group the most.

Those that do not grasp the notion of living a simpler life are intriguing to me. I have come across many people who think I am a complete hypocrite and they have legitimate arguments for not living a basic lifestyle. They are probably right in many cases for their own lives. I am not here to tell you what you must do. I am just here to help in a small way. By way of these non-TMP thinkers, I have been able to learn where I have been wrong in giving advice as well as how I live my life. I am not perfect. Though I try to live the best life I can. Those that disagree with the teachings of TMP are doing the same as I. They are just taking a different approach that I love to learn and apply to my own life.

Now, I am not going to stop living a minimalist life, but I do want to point out that this lifestyle isn’t for everyone. I understand and accept that. So as we all become defensive about living a simplistic lifestyle, remember that no one lifestyle is perfect. Every lifestyle has flaws. We all just manage them differently.

I want to keep this short because I feel that the longer this post is, the more I will judge and expect of others. I am trying to stop this and hopefully, we can all accept difference and grown and learn from them.

Whether you are a minimalist or not, I wish you a good day.

David Damron
The Minimalist Path

Click here to get a copy of PROJECT M-31: Simply Your Life in 31 Days

Related Posts with ThumbnailsShare
This entry was posted in lifestyle, simplicity and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
  • I've been reading minimalist blogs for a month or so. I came across yours through Google Reader "recommendations". I am one of those just dipping my toe in. I can see the value in this lifestyle and want some form of it for myself. Thank you for publishing what you have learned for people like me.
  • David,
    Great post. I find that I am probably a member of all three of those audiences with even less patience or more love for myself depending on a number of factors. I am facing these decisions from a standpoint of "mindful materialism" versus minimalism. Less may be more, but sometimes more is more. This is just one of the ways I work at Knowing Happiness.
  • David,

    Just rediscovered your site via your guest post on TheSimplerLife.net.

    Here's where I stand on the minimalism vs. non-minimalism issue: it's a personal decision. I'm not saying that to be diplomatic or to evade the argument, but because I believe that clutter and excess and stuff are all subjective. As long as you genuinely believe that you need something, then you really do need it. As long as you genuinely believe that you're not living a life full of clutter - then you're not. Other people may share their points of view, or may push towards one side or the other, but the final decision and viewpoint is yours and yours alone.

    As for me, I consider myself a minimalist, but not in the sense of 100-items-or-less. I see simplicity and minimalism as means to an end (a view that I think is becoming more and more popular). I simplify my life because I need room for the great things I want to do and build and discover. I don't really care whether I live with 100 items or 1000 - so long as I have enough to do what I want without getting in the way. At the same time, I have a tremendous respect for people who do manage to live with 100 items or less. That's an incredible achievement - but it just doesn't motivate me personally. I'm motivated to simplify when I notice a conflict between my goals and my stuff or my routines.
  • daviddamron
    I completely understand where you are coming from Jeffrey.

    For example, I have had many (MANY!!!) discussions with my girlfriend about her wardrobe. I have learned to stop implementing my life on hers, but what I have mainly been trying to preach is that I don't care how many clothes you have. Personally, I would love to have a closet full of North Face and Patagonia gear. It all comes down to what you like and what you love. If I can eliminate more of the likes and dominate the world with the things I love, I don't care how many items I have. The 100 things challenge is mainly a test of my own focus and desires. I would love to keep my personal possessions under 100 things forever, but if it doesn't happen then I won't worry (as long as the 100+ things are LOVES and not LIKES).

    Thanks for stopping by Jeff and sharing your thoughts. I have been seeing your name come up everywhere and been meaning to get in contact. Guess I have to now huh. HaHaHa.

    David
    TMP
  • As far as minimalism goes for me, I wouldn't say I'm entirely dedicated, but I use the underlying principles to try and declutter my life and to live lightly. This is something that brings me more peace of mind and is simply a stress reliever. At my current time in life, I'm surrounded by friends and others who can directly disrupt a simple lifestyle, but part of it is learning to be ok with the ups and downs of life, and doing what you can no matter the situation, and also learning to accept and love others as they are.

    I'm a firm believer in the right of everyone to decide their own path. I'm sure a lot of people who read TMP take what is said in different ways and apply it to their lives differently as well, but that's up to the person to decide, and that's a part of our rights as people. I agree with your ending comment that we must learned and discuss our varied beliefs and views on the topics of TMP.
  • This subject hits me personally, as I'm rather ambivalent about it. Sure I agree that we should ALL cut back where we can, and make efforts to do so. But what gets to me is the feeling that I have to do more, when I am already living Minimalist by default. Meaning, my domestic & financial situations FORCE minimalism on me. For the past couple of years, I've been living in a 200 sq. ft. "apartment" (hotel room recoined a studio) and taking only public transit.

    I could buy a car, but I choose to put that money towards paying down my debt which was acquired when I had cars and bigger apartments to live in, plus I no longer want to participate in the Big Oil Game. I deliberately recycle and reuse items; everything I can. I shop for used items when something is needed, and always have. I conserve water. I wear clothing until it wears out, and do not follow fashion. My electronic devices are also not replaced until they completely break down, so I have a lot of old and outdated appliances that still work. But most of these things I do because I'm trying to save money & generally not be wasteful in all my daily activities.

    Sure, there is more I can do to conserve, but seriously; I feel life has me in a position where I am doing more than my share and it really bothers me when I see people saving bottles & cans, yet still driving solo in their luxury sedans and wearing new clothes every week, and replacing their cell phone as soon as they become eligible for upgrades even though the old one would suffice.
blog comments powered by Disqus