The Minimalist Mythbust

I’m not one to intrude in people’s conversations, especially when it comes to strangers, but two nights ago, I went on a solo date, and right beside my table were two pretty ladies talking about their lifestyles. I recall one saying she was a minimalist by birth and honestly, I was curious to know what that meant. (Tell me you aren’t curious to know what it means.)

I don’t even know how I did it, but I got up, walked to their table, apologized for intruding and then asked if she could explain what she meant by she was a minimalist by birth. She actually was fine with it and even offered me a seat at their table. (Company was the last thing on my list, especially on a solo date, but I took it in because I got myself into it.)

According to her, she grew up with a single mother, and they didn’t really have much and still don’t. So right from birth, she has always had less and from what she knows that’s what minimalism is about. Having less and less. She was very defensive about her words and looked like nobody could tell her otherwise. I just smiled, thanked her for her time and went back to my seat.

I wasn’t even surprised. Honestly, that smile I let out was me trying not to laugh in her presence because I’ve heard so many opinions of how people perceive minimalism, but this was just hilarious.

One thing I believe people don’t understand is that minimalism isn’t just about having less because you can’t afford certain things. And certainly, this lifestyle isn’t circumstantial or accidental. The fact that your financial situation isn’t allowing you to have more( so you have less) doesn’t make you a minimalist. Minimalist lifestyle is a way of life you decide consciously to live by.

One thing I have come to experience and understand is that when we say minimalism is about having less, it doesn’t just end there. We are keeping less because the bigger focus is on making more space for other meaningful things. We are decluttering physically and mentally to create more space to breathe. We are letting go of burdens to create more space for freedom. We’re having less to no drama to create more room for peace.

Let me reiterate this: minimalism isn’t circumstantial. Minimalist lifestyle is about consciously choosing to have less not because you can’t afford more, but to create more room for other meaningful things targeted towards our nourishment as minimalists.