"IS THIS 'MINIMALIST' ENOUGH?"
- Oct 17, 2016
- 3 min read
A life of minimalism is usually a term which is paired with young 'hipsters' who think there's nothing better than their tiny house on wheels, or young adults traveling the world with only a duffle bag of simple possessions.
In actual fact, minimalism comes in as many shapes and sizes as there are people in the world. Everyone's version of minimalism and what it means to them is different to how it looks to the next person.
I'm often sent photos and asked, "Is this 'minimalist' enough?".
The images are usually counter tops or shelving units with a number of items that are neatly arranged and uniformly stacked, and as much as the images vary in 'clutter', there is no real way of someone else answer this question for you.
HOW 'MINIMAL' IS 'MINIMALISM'?
People often visit our home and comment on how "empty" our house is. I understand that empty shelves and clear counter tops are probably a little confronting for some. I am also well aware that there are people on their own journey to simplicity that would consider our home to be cluttered.
Whilst we choose to sleep on traditional beds, many families around the world are opting for 'floor sleeping', and although this may sound extreme to many of you, there are many cultures across the globe that have been sleeping directly on the floor or on mats since the beginning of time! Even the lesser extreme of floor sleeping, widely known as the 'Montessori Floor Bed' method, where people choose to sleep on a traditional mattress that is placed directly on the floor (a sleep method designed for young children), is often looked at as unfathomable in the traditional Western world.
These variants of minimalism and simple living are just one tiny piece of the ever-changing puzzle. The level of minimalism or simplicity that suits you and your lifestyle, may not necessarily be the same level as the next person and their lifestyle.
"Enough" is your comfort zone. It is what you feel is the right amount. Instead of looking at minimalism as "clearing out what you don't want", consider minimalism as keeping only what you love.
KNOWING WHEN 'ENOUGH' IS ENOUGH
How do you know when it's time to slow down on the declutter projects and enjoy the space you've created? Easy. When you can enjoy your home without thinking about your next declutter project.
There are some instances where people suffering from obsessive decluttering, a sub syndrome of OCD known as 'Obsessive Compulsive Spartanism', cannot overcome the constant need to declutter. This is an entirely different situation. I'm talking about individuals that enjoy a clutter free home and choose to live that lifestyle due to the simplicity that it brings their lives, rather than due to the obsessive compulsion to irrationally remove items from their surroundings.
MINIMALISM. IT'S MORE THAN JUST 'DECLUTTERING'
Living a minimalist lifestyle is much more than undertaking a few decluttering projects within your home. It's deciding on a simple lifestyle and consciously choosing what you want to include in your life and what to let go of.
It's a way of removing the excess and truly experiencing life.
Minimalism isn't for everyone.
Most people are comfortable to clear out their unwanted items to pass onto charity or sell for a bit of extra cash, but suggest a lifestyle of "less is more" and watch them run.
Understanding that not everyone has the same views is a huge step in the minimalist lifestyle. Your journey is your own. It is not about being in another person's home and commenting on their 'clutter' or suggesting they clear out a few things.
Should you have the opportunity to share your journey with others, do it to encourage; never to degrade. What works for you may look like a 'hot mess' to someone else.
Erin Michele .x
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