What is minimalism? A big question, for sure. But there’s no “right” answer, or something I can point to in Wikipedia, except that say that for ME, at it’s most basic, minimalism means living with fewer more meaningful things.
MINIMALISM =
Living with less
Being satisfied with less
Wanting less
Needing less
Being grateful for what IS
I do think you can “be” minimal at any stage in your life; it’s more about shifting your mind away from scarcity and towards abundance, not how old you are, if you have kids, or work outside the home. Hoarding and buying new things all the time can come from a place of fear that we’re not good enough without the stuff, and is exacerbated by the false idea that a “thing” is scarce. This is especially true when the “scarce” thing appears to also be “perfect.” (good luck resisting that cozy cashmere cardigan you don’t really need if it’s marked down on a sample sale site!)
When we shift away from fear and scarcity, we have no where to go but towards love and abundance.
When we shift away from fear and scarcity, we have no where to go but towards love and abundance. If we hold in our minds that we love ourselves and the things we have chosen to acquire and care about, and that there will always be “stuff” available to buy (EVERYTHING won’t suddenly disappear) and experiences to enjoy, then something shifts inside, and we feel more open & free to just be, to enjoy the abundance life offers.
I have felt this shift, although I must say, it’s not quite second-nature yet. I still feel tempted by sale items and some (wrong/misguided) “ideal” in my head of how I’ll look OR BE PERCEIVED if I have x, y, or z. It’s a process. Minimalism is a long journey that begins inside, not with the clothes you are getting rid of, or the building back of your wardrobe.
Minimalism is a long journey that begins inside, not with the clothes you are getting rid of, or the building back of your wardrobe.
I’ve been on a path toward minimalism for quite some time (paring down my closet only to build it back up again, trying to shop consciously, etc.), but it’s only just begun to take hold, because I only just became ready to tackle the REALLY hard part: ME.
Minimalism “taking hold” for me meant that several things had to happen at once:
- I had to start accepting and being grateful for the LIFE & BODY I HAVE RIGHT NOW
- I had to be realistic about a budget for clothing
- I had to realize that I AM GOOD ENOUGH even without “the perfect” things
I tried all the minimalist blogs, wardrobe challenges, and capsule wardrobes, but couldn’t make them work for me. I appreciate those tools, and think they can be very helpful, but only in tandem with the internal work (or if you’ve already done that work), and if you’re good at following rules, which I am decidedly not! But as I’ve mentioned before, I was NOT ready to do the internal work until recently. (the early 40’s will do that to you I guess!)
When it comes down to it, minimalism is not a number. Nor is it a “look.” Too often we see images or blogs that feature the same stark, sharp black & white outfits, or striped shirts & converse (or Stan Smith’s which, it seems, are de rigueur today), in the same tall, lanky, young bodies.
When it comes down to it, minimalism is not a number. Nor is it a “look.”
The images we see on Pinterest and in the media as standard-bearers for minimalism, including the ones featured on minimal clothing brands’ sites (Everlane is definitely “guilty” of this) tend to look the same. And they never look like me. Is there a “minimal” look? Must you wear head-to-toe designer brands (albeit subtle) and delicate jewelry to be “minimal”? Must you be tall & thin and in your 20’s? Must you wear only black, white & gray? Must your fashion be minimal? Must you own the Celine trio bag?
Of course not.
Not that there’s anything wrong with those bodies, those women, those models, Celine bags, or minimal fashion, but those images and “ideals” are not what make up minimalism. There’s no formula for being a minimalist, there’s only a desire to have fewer, more meaningful things.
Some helpful Minimalist Resources:
Be More with Less (Courtney started Project 333, but I love reading her “main” blog more)
Recovering Shopaholic (Debbie is captivating and reading her work has been instrumental to me on my journey)
Into Mind (generally, I disagree with her “workbook” approach to finding your style and minimalism, but I love her discussions of the psychology of shopping – this post especially)
The Nife en l’Air (I saved this one for last, because you will want to spend a lot of time on Kali’s blog – she is extremely thoughtful and honest with what she writes, and the closest I’ve come to finding a “minimalist” blogger I can relate to – and want to read all the time)
Do you have any other minimalist resources to share? What is minimalism to you?
See The Minimal Closet in the WSJ! Then read more in The Minimal Closet series (new posts every Thursday):
When you mention internal work – I really think that comes with hitting your 40’s because you’re at that point where you’re not competing with anyone but yourself. In my 20’s I tried to look cute to catch the attention of the male population, at 30 I tried to be ultra professional. Now I’m in my 40’s and meh .. I don’t care oh, so much about those things .. I am just competing with myself now and trying to age well.
Another good resource is zenhabits.com
Monica.
PS: I have not master minimalism as I purchased a plaid blazer from Target that so needs to go back .. lol
oh YES!!! what a good way to put it monica! it’s not easier though, competing with yourself…the voice in my head is BRUTAL 😉
oh, and i love zenhabits.com – i don’t know why i didn’t include it here, maybe because it didn’t seem to “fit” with the rest of the blogs? anyway, thanks for reminding me …
Yep, in my early (to mid) 40’s and recognizing the internal work that needs to be done. I guess ones wardrobe is a good place to start. It seems innocuous but then you realize the emotion that goes into it. I think I’m at the point where I need to live with my wardrobe choices for a while and move on to working on how I live my life and what it is I want and need to be happy and fulfilled.
I love all the blogs you mentioned.
Great post, but may I ask why you disagree with Into Mind’s approach? I loved her workbook and the exercises have helped me so much. And my wardrobe was in pretty bad shape believe me!
i definitely think the workbook and exercises can be helpful and are a crucial step for a lot of people, but not for me…i just don’t like to do things that way, or follow directions 😉
i am the type of person who has to come to things on her own, in her own time and own terms, so steps and workbooks and exercises NEVER work for me – or for people like me.
Excellent! Too good for words. Thanks for the suggested links…do love Debbie Roes…will read others. How can possessions end up taking over our lives? Exhausting for sure.
I follow you regularly and rarely submit a comment but I felt compelled to do so after this truly thoughtfully composed and articulately stated post. Bravo! Much to reflect on in your words……
thank you so much juli!
Grechen, your first two paragraphs echo exactly what I wrote yesterday about my struggle with scarcity and perfection (Remember, I’m catching up, so it was on the previous post from this one!). I still struggle with body acceptance. I don’t want to be old and fat! I want to be FIT and TO FIT in my clothes, and able to chase my granddaughter around.
To paraphrase the late US Supreme Court Justice, a Potter Stewart, “I don’t know how to define it, but I know minimalism when I see it!”
lol i think that’s a perfect way to describe minimalism. although let’s definitely not confuse it with what that quote was REALLY referring to… 😉
Haha!!! ????