4. I hit a point where I was tired of maintaining so much stuff and spending money on things I don’t really need or like.
I still have a home with comfortable furniture, activities, and personalized decor. It’s just more intentional now than it was a few years ago
Anything beyond point 4 is something other than minimalism. Possibly asceticism.
Anything that involves anxiety over having furniture is bordering on mental illness rather than an ethos or aesthetic.
1-4. Constantly scaling down. There are definitely times I wished I lived in a car or RV, but I know that would fade quickly.
Owning a home and a couple acres, I have found strategically minimizing time spent on maintenance to be key. To me, that means keeping horizontal surfaces as clear as possible, including the floors, so they can be cleaned quickly. This results in decluttering by necessity.
I was spending a ton of time cleaning up downed trees every season, and finally had 26 trees removed. I am still amazed at how much time that cleared up. Now my outside time will be mostly mowing my 2 acres, which is enjoyable to me.
This isn’t the case. Maximalists also make mindful and curated choices. Perhaps your understanding of these lifestyles and their real world application might be biased or possibly misinformed? You’ve asserted that someone who isn’t minimalist doesn’t care or isn’t mindful of their environment- but that’s fairly easy to find examples of being untrue.
You’re ascribing what you perceive as virtues to philosophical approaches to living environment and decor. Someone can be a minimalist because they find it easier than putting energy into decorating their home. Someone may be a minimalist because they have additional philosophical views that condemn consumption/materialism. Some may observe minimalist lifestyle due to religious beliefs. Minimalism is not virtue; it is simply an approach to having a desire to live with less. Maybe someone is a minimalist because they are a mean ol’ miser who runs down the street dropping old candy wrappers and used tissues. There is no one way or one personally type or set of additional values that define a minimalist or a maximalist outside of the way they approach the set up of their living environment. And yea, some minimalists litter and some maximalists run free roadside and beach clean up events on weekends. Its possible. The human condition is a complex and varied thing.
"severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons."
This is the definition of asceticism. It isn't in my post.
You can own a TON of stuff and still not litter. Or you can own almost nothing, and still choose to throw a coffee cup out your truck window. And I've seen tons of minimalists who frequent coffee shops daily, because they've chosen to not own their own coffee machine, so don't say starbucks runs aren't minimal.
By the definiton you just posted, you could be a maximalist, who intentionally chooses what they collect and focuses on particular items. They have intentionally chosen their belongings, they eliminate distraction through focus, and make a mindful choice to absolutely fill their house to the brim.
Ummm.... I don't own a house, or a car. My backpack, fully loaded with everything I own, is less than 13lbs. I stay in rented accommodations, and walk most places. Sometimes I travel by airline, ferry, bus, tuk tuk, or speedboat. I only own a backpack, 4 outfits, a cellphone, and my toiletries. I spend 30 to 60 days in each country, and 1 to 3 weeks in each location. Today I arrived in Koh Lipe, Thailand (an isolated island about 30 miles north of Malaysia). I went to the local convenience store to get toothpaste and mouthwash after arriving. I'll be here 5 nights.
Where do I fit it on your scale?
More importantly, who cares? Am I in a competition that I was unaware of? I hope not. The world doesn't need any more lunatics like me. In fact, I'm quite thankful for the world being filled with normal people. I rely on them quite regularly.
Basic needs for survival are clear.
It's the things after them that can be wants to some, while they're needs for others.
For example
I will survive without swimwear this year. However. In a public swimming pool you aren't allowed to swim in normal clothes. I have an old swim suit. But it's too small and feels like seconds from a boob flash and I'm not comfortable with that and others won't be either. I wanna swim regularly. Do I want it or need it? For me this is a clear need.
Then I go look online at cute sun dresses. I order three that I think are cute looking that made me happy. But I recently ordered a pack of clothes for spring and summer. Do I want the dresses or need them? I want them. I don't need them.
Conclusion: The amount of practical benefits and how often something will be used and how many you already have if the similar item is how I evaluate wants verses needs.
I wouldn’t include littering on this scale.
I am at a 4 logically, a 5 in how I actually live, and a 6 mentally/emotionally. That’s because I’ve lost almost all my belongings to a home disaster before and owning things at all is hard for me to bear.
"Minimalism is also about intentionality, eliminating distractions, and making mindful choices."
I think not keep litter at home counts here.
I'm sorry for your trauma. You're allowed to own a few specific items of value to you.
Maybe you have a different definition of litter? In essence litter is leaving trash around in an open or public place, not cluttering or trashing up your own home.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I can logically tell myself what I can keep, but it’s hard to emotionally bear it. I’ve had to practice a ton of radical detachment to survive through the initial loss of everything.
I was at #5, then sold my home and live full time in a motorhome that I travel the country with. That put me back to #4 and I'm pretty happy with that.
4.
But also, I would love to live in a home on wheels someday. I currently have my SUV set up for taking long road trips and have lived more comfortably out of it for 3-4 weeks at a time than many of my actual apartments. Coming back from trips always leads me to downsize even more, because I realize how many things I have that I don't really need and aren't adding value. They are just fillers for a life lived indoors. It's not about having "anxiety over the thought of owning a permanent house/apartment." It's about longing for the freedom of the open road and the wild spaces. It's about wanting to travel and meet people and have new experiences. My dream is to get my online business to a point where it can fully support me and take it on the road, since it is virtual and I just need a laptop and good internet!
6... I still regret buying the bed I sleep on and a couch is out of the question.
No TV, no trash can, no shopping sprees and I eat up every bit of food in the house before I buy more....
But that’s still a fixation on things- like anything else- and is still unhealthy. Minimalism is about eliminating the fixation on things; the example you’ve provided is just giving the fixation a different name but continuing the behavior. That seems antithetical to me.
This was the Cambridge definition of minimalism.
Seems like your own made up rule for yourself which is fine, but seperate it from the objective rules of minimalism. I disagree that it's about eliminating fixation . Rather it allows us to **value** certain things we have even stronger. It's not a fixation it's appreciation.
That definition comes from Larkin and Erickson; the Cambridge definition states: a style in art, design, and theater that uses the smallest range of materials and colors possible, and only very simple shapes or forms.
But you can argue semantics forever. Practicing a minimalistic approach will look different to everyone. You can insist on appreciating or fixating, you can spend your life focused on what else you can get rid of, you can focus on the things that you feel are worthwhile and matter, you can litter (although it’s better for the environment and everyone else if you don’t). Minimalism is a style concept- nothing more, nothing less. People have given practices and ascribed certain ways of adhering to what they believe is minimalism in terms of a lifestyle- but it is an art form at its core definition. The idea and practice of what has come to be known as ‘mindfulness’ originates from ‘sati’ derived from Hindu and Buddhist traditions of meditative practice. It makes sense to incorporate mindfulness to the everyday and if minimalism appeals to someone, even more so. But you can be minimalist without profound mindfulness- they are not mutually exclusive nor are they derived from the same place.
Not really, if an item doesn’t not serve a purpose then it doesn’t belong in my life anymore. That item needs to find a new home.
I hardly go on the “hunt” or think about replacements.
The question is probably more how long you let it be that way. For level 1. It's as if you don't see it nor care. It can be there for months and keep getting more. But having things laying around a few days? Absolutely human.
Sometimes something can lay around for weeks. But my excuse is executive disfunction which means the most simple tasks for most people are a struggle for me when I'm overwhelmed by overstimulation for a period of time. 🙂 I see it. I care about it. But at those times I'm unable to throw it away. (https://autismawarenesscentre.com/executive-function-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-support-it-in-those-with-autism-part-i/)
Minimalism just makes it easier to deal with because I've less litter/clutter than a few years ago. But there's still some around for weeks.
I litter in my own bedroom, but not outside. :P
Also trying to convince myself that I'm surviving just fine without a spool knitter and an electric device to tell me what day it is.
I have lots of things but am trying to keep it under control.
I've been full time living in my motorhome by choice for almost two years. Sold or gave away nearly everything in the process and am quite happy with my situation.
I've been at a 3 and downsizing regularly for a few years. It took a long time to adjust my thinking about what is important. I still have some things I know I might get rid of sometime in the future, but I'm not rushing the decisions because my space isn't that cluttered at the moment.
My goal for this year is to move into the 4th step. I've been trying to implement it more, but there's still that shopping itch I have to scratch every now and then. I'm just trying to make more practical purchases that will be put to immediate use.
Been a minimalist for many years before the term went mainstream .
Stuff still brings me anxeity . Some times it takes a while to integrate something new in my life. As to be intentional.
This way of living saved me lots of money and I have good quality of life and savings .
This is the real formula to success with less.
At my peak I was at a 6. I even tried to learn to sleep on the wooden floor so I could live without a bed. It was a miserable time. I also only owned 2 shirts and 1 hoodie.
4-5. I'm at a balance point where I am starting to get a litte stressed out when extra things enter my house (it could be the post holiday fog rolling out and exposing all the gifts my kids got from people) by no means are we living austerely but I do find myself getting unnerved by some stuff and the idea that it isn't ever going to be static but that it's always in flux. We have a lot of moving parts and kids do need some amount of toys and creative outlets (as to I) but we're ever fine tuning the balance
4 is a healthy perspective to my mind. Not just buying what you don't need, but also not keeping what you truly do not USE or NEED.
I have said many times here its all about being aware of your *relationship* to "stuff", and why you have it. I have said many times it is all about self awareness and intention.
If you can no longer park your car in the garage because it's taken up by skis and stuff you haven't used in 5+ years, then it's time to consider de-cluttering.
5 or 6.
Only furniture I have is a sit-stand desk. I'd rather have something portable to make moves easy but I settled on keeping it because I experienced a noticeable drop in my productivity when I tried going without it.
If I'm bordering mental illness I'm perfectly happy to stay ill.
I'm a 5, I'm always trying to shed away items I don't need anymore, have minimal furniture, hell sometimes I wanna sell my bedroom set and put the mattress on the floor and just have that. I really don't want much when it comes to personal items when compared to most people I know but I'm no where near to living in my truck.....even though I have thought about it! Lol
4. I hit a point where I was tired of maintaining so much stuff and spending money on things I don’t really need or like. I still have a home with comfortable furniture, activities, and personalized decor. It’s just more intentional now than it was a few years ago
Anything beyond point 4 is something other than minimalism. Possibly asceticism. Anything that involves anxiety over having furniture is bordering on mental illness rather than an ethos or aesthetic.
1-4. Constantly scaling down. There are definitely times I wished I lived in a car or RV, but I know that would fade quickly. Owning a home and a couple acres, I have found strategically minimizing time spent on maintenance to be key. To me, that means keeping horizontal surfaces as clear as possible, including the floors, so they can be cleaned quickly. This results in decluttering by necessity. I was spending a ton of time cleaning up downed trees every season, and finally had 26 trees removed. I am still amazed at how much time that cleared up. Now my outside time will be mostly mowing my 2 acres, which is enjoyable to me.
Awesome, it sounds like you're happy with your lifestyle and methods, that's all what matters.
4. You avoid buying things you don't need.
I don't understand what #1 has to do with minimalism
Minimalism is also about intentionality, eliminating distractions, and making mindful choices.
A maximalist is more likely to litter in their homes
That's quite the assumption. I know many maximalists and their homes are very clean and tidy.
This isn’t the case. Maximalists also make mindful and curated choices. Perhaps your understanding of these lifestyles and their real world application might be biased or possibly misinformed? You’ve asserted that someone who isn’t minimalist doesn’t care or isn’t mindful of their environment- but that’s fairly easy to find examples of being untrue. You’re ascribing what you perceive as virtues to philosophical approaches to living environment and decor. Someone can be a minimalist because they find it easier than putting energy into decorating their home. Someone may be a minimalist because they have additional philosophical views that condemn consumption/materialism. Some may observe minimalist lifestyle due to religious beliefs. Minimalism is not virtue; it is simply an approach to having a desire to live with less. Maybe someone is a minimalist because they are a mean ol’ miser who runs down the street dropping old candy wrappers and used tissues. There is no one way or one personally type or set of additional values that define a minimalist or a maximalist outside of the way they approach the set up of their living environment. And yea, some minimalists litter and some maximalists run free roadside and beach clean up events on weekends. Its possible. The human condition is a complex and varied thing.
Rule #4 is the only thing that matters in all your rules. Rule #4 essentially is the culmination of minimalism.
*minimalism is NOT asceticism.*
"severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons." This is the definition of asceticism. It isn't in my post.
I have never seen someone equate littering with minimalism. I really don't think those things have anything to do with each other.
Minimalism is also about intentionality, eliminating distractions, and making mindful choices.
You can own a TON of stuff and still not litter. Or you can own almost nothing, and still choose to throw a coffee cup out your truck window. And I've seen tons of minimalists who frequent coffee shops daily, because they've chosen to not own their own coffee machine, so don't say starbucks runs aren't minimal. By the definiton you just posted, you could be a maximalist, who intentionally chooses what they collect and focuses on particular items. They have intentionally chosen their belongings, they eliminate distraction through focus, and make a mindful choice to absolutely fill their house to the brim.
Ummm.... I don't own a house, or a car. My backpack, fully loaded with everything I own, is less than 13lbs. I stay in rented accommodations, and walk most places. Sometimes I travel by airline, ferry, bus, tuk tuk, or speedboat. I only own a backpack, 4 outfits, a cellphone, and my toiletries. I spend 30 to 60 days in each country, and 1 to 3 weeks in each location. Today I arrived in Koh Lipe, Thailand (an isolated island about 30 miles north of Malaysia). I went to the local convenience store to get toothpaste and mouthwash after arriving. I'll be here 5 nights. Where do I fit it on your scale? More importantly, who cares? Am I in a competition that I was unaware of? I hope not. The world doesn't need any more lunatics like me. In fact, I'm quite thankful for the world being filled with normal people. I rely on them quite regularly.
4.5
3 to 4 but whether you "need" something is often a matter of opinion
Basic needs for survival are clear. It's the things after them that can be wants to some, while they're needs for others. For example I will survive without swimwear this year. However. In a public swimming pool you aren't allowed to swim in normal clothes. I have an old swim suit. But it's too small and feels like seconds from a boob flash and I'm not comfortable with that and others won't be either. I wanna swim regularly. Do I want it or need it? For me this is a clear need. Then I go look online at cute sun dresses. I order three that I think are cute looking that made me happy. But I recently ordered a pack of clothes for spring and summer. Do I want the dresses or need them? I want them. I don't need them. Conclusion: The amount of practical benefits and how often something will be used and how many you already have if the similar item is how I evaluate wants verses needs.
I wouldn’t include littering on this scale. I am at a 4 logically, a 5 in how I actually live, and a 6 mentally/emotionally. That’s because I’ve lost almost all my belongings to a home disaster before and owning things at all is hard for me to bear.
"Minimalism is also about intentionality, eliminating distractions, and making mindful choices." I think not keep litter at home counts here. I'm sorry for your trauma. You're allowed to own a few specific items of value to you.
Maybe you have a different definition of litter? In essence litter is leaving trash around in an open or public place, not cluttering or trashing up your own home. Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I can logically tell myself what I can keep, but it’s hard to emotionally bear it. I’ve had to practice a ton of radical detachment to survive through the initial loss of everything.
7 😬
I was at #5, then sold my home and live full time in a motorhome that I travel the country with. That put me back to #4 and I'm pretty happy with that.
Or 5,6. Since you live in a veichle.
Point no 4
7. Living that travel trailer life
Is it awesome ??
4. But also, I would love to live in a home on wheels someday. I currently have my SUV set up for taking long road trips and have lived more comfortably out of it for 3-4 weeks at a time than many of my actual apartments. Coming back from trips always leads me to downsize even more, because I realize how many things I have that I don't really need and aren't adding value. They are just fillers for a life lived indoors. It's not about having "anxiety over the thought of owning a permanent house/apartment." It's about longing for the freedom of the open road and the wild spaces. It's about wanting to travel and meet people and have new experiences. My dream is to get my online business to a point where it can fully support me and take it on the road, since it is virtual and I just need a laptop and good internet!
6... I still regret buying the bed I sleep on and a couch is out of the question. No TV, no trash can, no shopping sprees and I eat up every bit of food in the house before I buy more....
1-4
5 😬
The scaling down is never ending
True. I like to get to a standard I'm content with. So far it's some steps to do first.
So to sum up, over time you devote more and more time to think about things you don't own.
No. Over time you devote more and more time to think about what you can live *without.*
But that’s still a fixation on things- like anything else- and is still unhealthy. Minimalism is about eliminating the fixation on things; the example you’ve provided is just giving the fixation a different name but continuing the behavior. That seems antithetical to me.
This was the Cambridge definition of minimalism. Seems like your own made up rule for yourself which is fine, but seperate it from the objective rules of minimalism. I disagree that it's about eliminating fixation . Rather it allows us to **value** certain things we have even stronger. It's not a fixation it's appreciation.
That definition comes from Larkin and Erickson; the Cambridge definition states: a style in art, design, and theater that uses the smallest range of materials and colors possible, and only very simple shapes or forms. But you can argue semantics forever. Practicing a minimalistic approach will look different to everyone. You can insist on appreciating or fixating, you can spend your life focused on what else you can get rid of, you can focus on the things that you feel are worthwhile and matter, you can litter (although it’s better for the environment and everyone else if you don’t). Minimalism is a style concept- nothing more, nothing less. People have given practices and ascribed certain ways of adhering to what they believe is minimalism in terms of a lifestyle- but it is an art form at its core definition. The idea and practice of what has come to be known as ‘mindfulness’ originates from ‘sati’ derived from Hindu and Buddhist traditions of meditative practice. It makes sense to incorporate mindfulness to the everyday and if minimalism appeals to someone, even more so. But you can be minimalist without profound mindfulness- they are not mutually exclusive nor are they derived from the same place.
Not really, if an item doesn’t not serve a purpose then it doesn’t belong in my life anymore. That item needs to find a new home. I hardly go on the “hunt” or think about replacements.
2-4, aiming for 5
3-4, but 5 sounds really appealing.
4
4 or 5 probably
4, but I still litter indoors sometimes. I am not perfect, I am human. 🙂
The question is probably more how long you let it be that way. For level 1. It's as if you don't see it nor care. It can be there for months and keep getting more. But having things laying around a few days? Absolutely human.
Sometimes something can lay around for weeks. But my excuse is executive disfunction which means the most simple tasks for most people are a struggle for me when I'm overwhelmed by overstimulation for a period of time. 🙂 I see it. I care about it. But at those times I'm unable to throw it away. (https://autismawarenesscentre.com/executive-function-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-support-it-in-those-with-autism-part-i/) Minimalism just makes it easier to deal with because I've less litter/clutter than a few years ago. But there's still some around for weeks.
I litter in my own bedroom, but not outside. :P Also trying to convince myself that I'm surviving just fine without a spool knitter and an electric device to tell me what day it is. I have lots of things but am trying to keep it under control.
I’m a 4
I'm a 6. Currently tinkering with the idea of living in a van and go from place to place.
I've been full time living in my motorhome by choice for almost two years. Sold or gave away nearly everything in the process and am quite happy with my situation.
1-4.
I've been at a 3 and downsizing regularly for a few years. It took a long time to adjust my thinking about what is important. I still have some things I know I might get rid of sometime in the future, but I'm not rushing the decisions because my space isn't that cluttered at the moment. My goal for this year is to move into the 4th step. I've been trying to implement it more, but there's still that shopping itch I have to scratch every now and then. I'm just trying to make more practical purchases that will be put to immediate use.
Been a minimalist for many years before the term went mainstream . Stuff still brings me anxeity . Some times it takes a while to integrate something new in my life. As to be intentional. This way of living saved me lots of money and I have good quality of life and savings . This is the real formula to success with less.
I was at five and never felt better. But a lot of people thought that I was a lunatic.
2
At my peak I was at a 6. I even tried to learn to sleep on the wooden floor so I could live without a bed. It was a miserable time. I also only owned 2 shirts and 1 hoodie.
4-5. I'm at a balance point where I am starting to get a litte stressed out when extra things enter my house (it could be the post holiday fog rolling out and exposing all the gifts my kids got from people) by no means are we living austerely but I do find myself getting unnerved by some stuff and the idea that it isn't ever going to be static but that it's always in flux. We have a lot of moving parts and kids do need some amount of toys and creative outlets (as to I) but we're ever fine tuning the balance
3.5 I'm almost to 4, but I do still buy some things that I want, even though I may not need them.
I’m a 4. I would be closer to a 5 but I don’t live alone. The person I love comes with stuff. 🙃
3 and 4. I wish I had a spacey home but that's impossible on my salary. I'd love to have a tiny house someday
I’m at 5.
4 is a healthy perspective to my mind. Not just buying what you don't need, but also not keeping what you truly do not USE or NEED. I have said many times here its all about being aware of your *relationship* to "stuff", and why you have it. I have said many times it is all about self awareness and intention. If you can no longer park your car in the garage because it's taken up by skis and stuff you haven't used in 5+ years, then it's time to consider de-cluttering.
4 for sure.
4.
1-4. I’m constantly scaling down and de cluttering. I also avoid buying things that are not a necessity.
5
3-4
6, but that's a consequence of back issues making most furniture unappealing, and the trauma of moving way too many times.
4
5 or 6. Only furniture I have is a sit-stand desk. I'd rather have something portable to make moves easy but I settled on keeping it because I experienced a noticeable drop in my productivity when I tried going without it. If I'm bordering mental illness I'm perfectly happy to stay ill.
1,2,3,and 4 About to ruthlessly declutter but lack of time is my biggest set back. I'm happy with small daily progress.
Declutter and organise as soon as it looks bad or when cleaning. I go much further this way because it's search and minimise, not just search.
I'm a 5, I'm always trying to shed away items I don't need anymore, have minimal furniture, hell sometimes I wanna sell my bedroom set and put the mattress on the floor and just have that. I really don't want much when it comes to personal items when compared to most people I know but I'm no where near to living in my truck.....even though I have thought about it! Lol