Minimalists have a reputation and sometimes it’s a little misguided. Here's what I think about the seven most common misconceptions surrounding this lifestyle...
Minimalists are rich
All minimalists only wear black, white and nudes- Many minimalists try to reduce their wardrobe down to just a few colours so they their closet is versatile, so it’s easier to pick things out on a morning and everything available to them is something they love.
Not every minimalist opts for a colour palate of blacks, whites and nudes. Some minimalists adore bright colours and wear them proudly- it just so happens that they don’t have masses of colourful clothes- but a few key pieces they enjoy wearing.
All minimalists are rich- Not true. Minimalism is suitable for anyone on any income. If you are someone who doesn’t have a large income, paring down your items by selling them can help bring more money into the home. If you can afford to let things go by donating them- this is also an option. Minimalism doesn’t discriminate based on your pay-check, it’s an inclusive lifestyle.
All minimalists stick to a maximum number of things they own- This is also a myth. Some people choose to give themselves a maximum number of 100 items or 200 items, but this is a personal goal not one that is universal. If you feel you need a maximum number to help gain control of your things- go for it- but you don’t NEED to do this- just keep the things that you use and love, without counting.
All minimalists advocate zero waste- Some minimalists do, and some don’t. Minimalism isn’t synonymous with zero waste but for many people, it does make them think more carefully about where they are offloading their things to and what can be recycled and what can’t.
Minimalism is only for people who travel- Minimalism can be beneficial for those who travel a lot and don’t want to carry a lot of things on their person- but there are plenty of minimalists who are settled in a permanent place of residence too. Some self-proclaimed minimalists even loathe travelling.
Minimalism is only a phase- For some- it might be. People may choose to dabble in minimalism only to find it’s not for them. There’s nothing wrong with trying something only to find it doesn’t align with your values.
With that said, minimalism has been around for years- it might not have had a label, but people have been intentionally choosing to live with less for some time. For them it’s not a phase, it’s a permanent lifestyle.
All minimalists are unsentimental- Minimalists can be sentimental too- they are just sentimental about less. They choose a few items that bring them joy and spark special memories and often they will have these items on display rather than tucked away in a box. Memories aren’t discarded with things- they remain with the person.
Minimalism is not a one size fits all kind of lifestyle. It attracts people from many walks of life. The one thing that does unite many people who follow this path is the desire to live more with less.
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