Created by Mike Donghia. Subscribe to our blog for free daily updates.
Minimalism, to me, stands as one of the most significant lifestyle movements and philosophies of our generation. In an era of rapid growth, excess, and nonstop modern living, thousands of people have united around a vision that prioritizes simplicity and deliberate decision-making.
Despite its success, or perhaps because of it, minimalism has become a cultural trend in its own right. Unfortunately, this popularity has led to a weakening of some of its core tenets or, in some cases, a narrowing of its appeal to a certain audience.
In my view, minimalism’s broad outline is correct, even if some details might be wrong. It’s my hope that future generations will continue to carry the torch of this idea and refine it in light of new knowledge.
I don’t intend to offer a comprehensive account of minimalism. Instead, I aim to highlight some points that I believe have been overlooked or misunderstood, in line with my own experiences and observations in the world.
The following list outlines things I believe are wrong about minimalism, but I offer them in the spirit of supporting a movement that has already added so much to my life.
Overly focused on getting rid of stuff
The most frequent criticism of minimalism is that it overemphasizes getting rid of stuff. While this assertion contains some truth, I believe it misses the mark in the end.
In my early days of practicing minimalism, I took every opportunity to pare back my possessions. There’s no doubt this played a positive role in reshaping my identity. By breaking my attachment to physical stuff, I was better able to focus on inner riches and the things that really mattered to me. I can say with certainty that without this phase, I wouldn’t have come to appreciate friendship, creativity, and ordinary pleasures as much as I do today.
Most people in the modern world probably have too much stuff, and parting ways with it can be a useful exercise. However, I want to point out that this isn’t necessary for everyone, and it’s not the end goal of minimalism. The benefits of getting rid of your stuff only emerge if you’ve already had a problem in this area to begin with. If you’re not having these issues, then minimalism can be a great way to help you focus on other areas of life that matter to you.
Not enough emphasis on beauty
A common image of minimalism includes clean, sparse lines and antiseptic colors. If you’re not careful, the quest to reduce the quantity of your possessions could result in a loss of beauty. There’s often a tension between aesthetic richness and the simplicity that minimalism seeks to cultivate. While art can be simple, it can also be elaborate, involving complex layers of decoration.
Each person must strike their own balance, but I want to convey that minimalism doesn’t mean emptiness. In fact, beauty is an essential component of the good life, and one’s surroundings can make a strong emotional impact through their beauty. This includes man-made wonders, breathtaking nature, as well as the regular beauty of a well-kept space. In general, I think people should prioritize what they find beautiful, as it can be a source of great meaning and purpose.
Neglecting the moral good of work
When you think of minimalism, what comes to mind? For many, it’s a life without busy schedules or stress. There are many pleasures in this world, and our choices reveal our preferences.
Minimalism has been a useful tool in my life for helping me to live by my values. In my early 30’s I took a one year sabbatical, and in my mid-30’s I cut back to part-time work. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t highlight another value that I hold in high regard: hard work. There are few things that make me prouder than a job well done, a long day of hard work, and a test of my grit.
The two ideas of minimalism and hard work are not at odds, but I do bring this up because I think minimalism has been misunderstood as simply doing less. My vision is to do more of the things you value and eliminate the things you don’t. As you clear away the clutter in your life, you create space for value-adding work and the moral good that arises from it.
Too cold and rational
While minimalism has many benefits, it also carries risks. Its focus on taking a hard look at the scope of your life and making decisions about what to cut back leaves it vulnerable to a kind of legalism that is cold and rational. It’s not uncommon for minimalists to feel superior because they’ve given up certain pleasures and live lives or order. With any form of asceticism, there also comes a danger of thinking you can manage your life like a spreadsheet.
I think there is some value in pointing out these dangers of minimalism. On its own track, minimalism can only take you so far. It can clear away obstacles and help you focus, but it’s up to you to decide what values and principles will drive your life. The good life includes things that cannot be weighed or measured or even explained. The good life is full of emotions, but also practices and obligations that aren’t always fun but make life meaningful in the long run.
Enjoying pleasure without guilt
It’s worth drawing attention to the anti-materialism dictum that is often associated with minimalism. This idea has led many practitioners of minimalism to look down on those who enjoy the natural and innocent pleasures of this world, such as a well-cooked meal, a perfect beach, or a comfortable bed. As with all good things, these pleasures can be enjoyed to excess or lead one astray, but they are not inherently evil.
Since minimalism was a reactionary movement against a culture of consumerism and excess, it’s understandable that some views swung in the opposite direction. Some hardcore minimalists display a kind of stoicism in their lifestyles. While there is much to be admired in their commitment, I don’t think it should be offered as a universal solution.
For example, in my own life, I try to enjoy life’s pleasures without guilt and see them as a gift. Obviously, if I indulge too much, I lose sight of the more important things, but these pleasures still have a significant place in my life. They bring balance to the serious side of life and help me live with joy.
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