There are some things in life that are totally unreasonable when you follow this lifestyle- and whether these comments, events or opinions come from people you know or society at large, here are just a few things you shouldn’t have to waste time or worries on when you live more minimally. We also offer solutions to each of the problems you might face if you can relate to any of them at present.
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Problem: People criticising your way of life: It is unfair that people still feel the need to vocalise their negative thoughts about someone else’s way of being, but it happens and you shouldn’t stand for it.
Solution: You do you and they do them and if they don’t understand it, you could invite them to ask questions so they are no longer in the dark about your motivations for being a minimalist. If they can’t hide their disapproval and are unwilling to listen, it might be wise to spend your time with other people and keep your distance from now on.
Some people simply can’t learn to get along, despite differences.
Problem: Companies forcing their advertising on you: If you don’t want to shop, you shouldn’t be bombarded with adverts for things you don’t need or want in the form of mailers and flyers.
Solution: Unsubscribe from email lists and if there isn’t an option to do this, contact the company directly. I have found in most cases the replies are quick and obliging. The sad truth is, you may have to pay to remove adverts from certain areas of your life if you continue to use them such as YouTube, however ad blockers can cure most of your advertising frustrations when browsing.
Problem: People forcing items on you: If you keep tight control over what comes in and out of your home and you have family and friends who feel it’s ok to bring things every time they visit- you may feel obliged to take them. But- you are perfectly within your rights to decline them if you wish.
Solution: It may be a case of asking them before they come over what they are planning to bring with them. For example, if your sister always brings you her old clothes as hand me downs and you never wear what she gifts you because your tastes in fashion are different- tell her to donate them to the local charity shop instead so someone else can get the use out of them or offer them to her friends instead. Especially if this is what you will be doing with them anyway.
Problem: Ignorance surrounding minimalism: People are sometimes misinformed and lack the knowledge or information, which can result in bias and assumptions about the lifestyle.
Solution: Be open and honest about your way of life and focus on the benefits, dispel any stereotypes that there are surrounding minimalism and offer to help them if they struggle with their things. Sometimes the best way to counteract ignorance is to be informative and kind, rather than taking offence. If you feel passionately about minimalism be a voice for the movement.
Problem: Pressure to keep things you don’t want: You should never have anything in your space that you don’t want there and too often, families will insist on burdening their younger members with items passed down from generation to generation whether they want them or not. This could be anything from a piece of furniture, to an ornament or even jewellery.
Solution: Have a healthy conversation about who else in the family could benefit from such items, or who could spend the money best if the item were to be sold. Chances are if the elder members of the family are so keen to pass it down, they see it as a burden too so they may understand better than you think.
Problem: Pressure to conform with society’s expectations: There are certain things that are classed as ‘the norm’ or the ‘done thing’ when it comes to society and stuff. However, you may not subscribe to these same notions and that’s ok- you shouldn’t have to tolerate them if they don’t align with your values.
Solution: Don’t keep a memory box if all your memories are stored digitally. You don’t have to have a credit card just because everyone you know does. Rent rather than buy if you don’t want to be saddled with the debt of a mortgage. Only buy things when you have the money to do so and have saved enough to cover the entire purchase.
Living the dream can look any way you please and it certainly doesn’t have to mean a 9-5 job, a big car, a mortgaged house with a white picket fence, a spouse, two children and a dog.
Problem: Pressure to fit in with minimalist stereotypes: Minimalism is often portrayed on social media as having a mostly white aesthetic and a certain number of things to your name but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes there are people who enjoy white in their home and those who aim to only have 100 things in their space but not everyone who calls themselves a minimalist adopts these rules.
Solution: There are many shades of minimalism... and not all of them are white! Try to avoid fitting in with these stereotypes and pave your own way in this lifestyle. You can be inspired by others, but that doesn’t mean you have to copy them. What minimalism looks like to one person means something totally different to another. You can call yourself a minimalist if you feel that’s what you are.
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You may think that minimalism takes a lot of time and energy, however, once you reach that minimalist sweet spot it takes little effort at all. Chances are it’s because minimalists have specific things in place that make life simpler- other than having fewer things. Here are just a few thoughts on what you can do to make your lifestyle as streamlined and fuss free as possible… to read more click HERE
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