Minimalism

By Robert Witham

Minimalism. It is a term that has become much more popular in recent years with a number of blogs and more than a few books devoted to the topic. Many people are discovering that the dream they have been sold - that of ever-increasing affluence, unbridled consumerism, and the 50-year corporate 9-5 grind - is at best an elusive fantasy and at worst a nightmare from which there seems to be no escape. Minimalism, many people find, is the solution to the puzzle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Witham
• Release date: Oct 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310898969

Robert Witham

I am a wandering minimalist, author, journalist, and photographer.When I am not at my laptop writing or building a website I can usually be found hiking or traveling to some new place.

Book preview

Minimalism

Copyright 2015 Robert Witham

Published by Robert Witham at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgements

My early journey into voluntary simplicity and minimalism actually began while I was still a teenager. It was not until I was in college when I was assigned some readings from Richard Foster's excellent book Freedom of Simplicity that I realized there are valid philosophical and religious reasons for choosing voluntary simplicity.

In the intervening years there has been a surge of interest in minimalism with publications of various quality on the topic. Several of the writers who have particularly influenced my own thinking on minimalism include Henry David Thoreau, Richard Foster, Ev Bogue, and Leo Babauta. I am indebted to those who have articulated their own perspective on voluntary simplicity and minimalism. Like all writers, I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me.

Contents

Preface

What is Minimalism?

Minimalism vs. Scarcity

Why Minimalism?

Minimalism and Money

Freedom Through Minimalism

Minimalism and the Muse

Adopting Minimalism

Living as a Minimalist

Minimalism FAQs

Epilogue

About the Author

Preface

Minimalism. It is a term that has become much more popular in recent years with a number of blogs and more than a few books devoted to the topic. Many people are discovering that the dream they have been sold - that of ever-increasing affluence, unbridled consumerism, and the 50-year corporate 9-5 grind - is at best an elusive fantasy and at worst a nightmare from which there seems to be no escape. Minimalism, many people find, is the solution to the puzzle.

Minimalism and Voluntary Simplicity

Popular expressions of minimalism are too often divorced from voluntary simplicity. In other words, minimalism is touted as yet another bolt-on lifestyle component that can be added to an already overwhelmed and out-of-control lifestyle, much like one might adopt a productivity system or fitness regimen.

Minimalism makes the most sense when it is understood in the context of voluntary simplicity.

Many things in life can still provide some benefit when they are adopted in isolation from a broader lifestyle philosophy, but we may sell ourselves short by doing so. Adopting a fitness routine is arguably a good thing, but if we only exercise a few times a week while still maintaining a lifestyle that is unhealthy overall we will not realize the full benefits of fitness. Similarly, adopting a productivity system may indeed allow us to accomplish more tasks each day, but it would be much better to be certain that the tasks we are doing actually matter.

Minimalism, adopted as a stand-alone strategy, can indeed help us to declutter and simplify possessions, but if it is adopted outside the context of voluntary simplicity then our lives will still be hurried and filled with stress. Minimalism outside of the larger framework of voluntary simplicity is good, but still incomplete.

My Story

I have been attracted to voluntary simplicity and minimalism for nearly as long as I can remember. Since I came of age long before the Internet access to many resources that we take for granted today was inconceivable. Minimalism was almost unheard of only a few short years ago, and those who did discuss it usually talked of the broader lifestyle of voluntary simplicity.

Despite my long interest in minimalism, it took me until I was nearly 30 years old to become serious about decluttering and minimizing my possessions. It was at this point that my family undertook a major move across the country with only what would fit in a small station wagon. This move forced me to become serious about what I had always believed on some level. I had too much stuff. Despite the fact that I had far fewer possessions than most Americans, it was still too much.

In the years since I first started becoming serious about minimalism I have reduced my overall possessions a number of times. What I now own can readily fit into one large bag or

Reviews for Minimalism

[Emily DeMeo-Saenz Villejoin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was short and simple and did not make you feel as though you HAD to do what the book suggested.