It’s really nice to see someone else separating the two! The lifestyle and the aesthetic are two totally irrelevant things, although one can occasionally lead to the other.
Everyone’s minimalism looks different. Minimalism is also two schools, less is more and as a design aesthetic. People can practice one, the other, or both. Don’t worry what others do, you do you.
What? Sorry for repeating what you *just* said, but did the minimalist art movement proceed the lifestyle?! I trust you, but it doesn't *feel* right. It feels like there should have always been minimalists, for example religious folks (nuns, monks etc, I'm just guessing). Or just minimalists because of economical issues where you actually don't have the money to buy things but then maybe it isn't really minimalism as a lifestyle anymore. Sorry for rambling, I'm newly awake, slept way less than I need and am waiting for my coffee.
Simple answer: Art is where the term "minimalism" originated. People co-opted the word to mean a lifestyle. People have lived a minimalist lifestyle long before the word/term was used.
Alright! Then I think it's kind of important to differ between the two: the term versus the actual lifestyle/artform. Because then you can't say minimalist art was proceeding minimalist lifestyle, it's just the term that proceeds. Doesn't really matter all that much but, you know, it's kinda neat to say it correctly I suppose.
Asceticism, that was new word for me. Had to look that up! Doesn't minimalism fall under asceticism? Kind of like: you don't have to be "an asceticist" (you probably can't say it like that but you get what I mean) to be a minimalist, but to be an asceticist you have to be a minimalist?
Here to say that this is true for me also and it’s a great call out! I wish I had found minimalism in my teens! Instead I had tons of clutter, a messy room, too much stuff in general. This will help you in the future for sure!
I just thought I would clear out my room similar to how UnJaded Jade on youtube did hers. I'm already less stressed, and more motivated to do schoolwork as a result!
I've noticed that getting rid of a lot of stuff has made my bedroom more like mine, if that makes sense? I've travelled to Berlin for a week with my school (ages ago, don't worry) and I found then that having too much stuff was more of a hassle than a necessity. Now I can change my room to whatever I want really easily, as my tastes always change. I'm doing this to help take control back of my life, as quarantine made me feel a bit lost for a little while.
Yeah, I feel you. I have a small collection of rocks, pines and shells from my travels, there's no way I'm throwing this away. I like off white and pastel colours in interior walls etc but I also ADORE vintage stuff and florals. I have few clothes and quite a few empty drawers but I'm still a bit messy at times and you'll see my clothes all around the room.
My rooms still a bit messy from clearing it out, but it's neat enough, and I know it's not rubbish. I still have some souvenirs from school trips around the room, and I'm not getting rid of them anytime soon.
That's a very interesting point. People who just want the aesthetic will probably lose interest after awhile. Then they'll redecorate & be modernists or antiquers or whatever.
As I see it, every individual's minimum is a personal choice. I still have quite a few DVDs, because that's my preferred medium. And I'm not the sort of person who could feel comfortable with no decor at all. But I still consider myself a minimalist because I don't buy more than I have a use for, or shop for recreation.
This is your life, and you get to decide what works best for you. Minimalism is not a cult. There are no hard and fast rules. Ultimately minimalism is a useful tool to discover what's truly important to you. The importance of any particular object is highly subjective and will differ from person to person; thus your version of minimalism will look different than someone else's version. Be willing to ask the tough questions, but remain true to yourself. Ask yourself when you gain by keeping an item, and what you gain by letting it go.
I totally agree. I think that practicing minimalism shouldn't feel like a chore and that you should still keep things that bring you joy, even if it's quite a few things. I've tried to be minimalistic since I was a teenager (which kinda amounted to fighting against purchasing impulses) though I've only recently realised that it doesn't have to just be owning as little as possible and that holding onto sentimentality shouldn't make you feel guilty.
This is so great to know a teenager and a fellow minimalist.
I first discovered minimalism through tidying up and then removing things that don't serve purpose in my life. The aesthetic never bother me as long as my possessions have a significance in my everyday life.
Minimalism, both as aesthetic and philosophy, should lift you up and release you from worry, anxiety, and time-suckage. This applies to those who relish owning 10 items, or Karens realizing they only need 3 kitchen countertop devices instead of 8.
If you know what you own and why you own it, you're a minimalist. If it overwhelms you to ask yourself that question, you're probably not - but I'm also not into gatekeeping, and I think minimalism, like sobriety, is an idea you hold inside, and reach towards - and that is to say that there is no minimalism finish line.
I’ve always thought of minimalism as a subjective state of mind. Control what you can and exist where you have to. Having things doesn’t make you not a minimalist and having nothing doesn’t make you one either. Minimalism is a stepping stone for a clearer conscious, not an aesthetic.
Please don't "No true Scotsman" minimalism. Everyone's minimalism is different; personal even.
I quite like this article. [https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/these-are-the-6-types-of-minimalists-which-one-are-you-250532](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/these-are-the-6-types-of-minimalists-which-one-are-you-250532) It shows 6 different styles of minimalism (which, each person may share aspects of, rather than necessarily just one in its totality). It doesn't treat one as more valid or "real" than the others. It's not a without it's flaws (what is?), but it's a very nice article.
I really needed to hear this, I have several very fulfilling and productive hobbies which require materials and tools and sometimes I start to feel anxious when I see my drawers and desk cluttered
Like you, I don't believe minimizing is a goal in itself. Rather, it's a means to the end of doing and being more of what you love. More of what turns you on. More feeling *alive*.
*Hell yeah or no*.
That's what Derek Sivers would say, and I like the guy's writings. That's what minimalism is *really* about, in my opinion. Making as much of your life as possible a *hell yeah or no*.
I believe it's harder these days *because* so many of us are so. goddamned. rich. Rich in possibilities our ancestors never had. And that's *great*. It just has its pitfalls, too.
Your *things* aren't even the most important part of that broader philosophy, y'know? Your work/income--due to high number of hours per week--as well as finding your people/community, are more important. Basically, ha, finding 'yourself'.
The goal is to be on fire, I say. Eventually.
It's just pretty hard to sustain a fire when most of the material you're trying to light isn't flammable.
Minimalism as practiced here is being intentional. Keep things that you use or love. Spend time and money on what adds value to your life. Do not 'keep up with the Jones''. Next door neighbor has a Tesla? Maybe a Tesla is exactly the right car for you, maybe a junker truck is but either way you'll replace your current car when it's time, not just because the neighbor has a new car.
Keeping a little stinker of a dog brings I'm not sure what to my life but I want it. Certainly most people wonder why I've got him. I've pared down to things I will use and get rid of stuff I no longer have a need for. Most important that Buy button isn't pushed unless I'm certain it will bring value, improve something I've already got going on or is replacing something.
Is minimalistic having TONS of white furniture, tons of b&w clothes, tons of decor (minimalistic of course). NOPE! Its less STUFF, any stuff you want to have less of. And thats it. Have a room painted pink and purple and green if you would like, have all the sentimental stuff you want, and still be a minimalist. Minimalist on things that are not important to you. Because all of us keep the stuff we love the most, be it stuffed animals, books, camera gear etc. Also, 15 AND a minimalist? You are way ahead of the game dear. I sound like a grandma, I promise Im not, Im only a mom lol. But congratulations on adopting minimalism at such young age.
It’s really nice to see someone else separating the two! The lifestyle and the aesthetic are two totally irrelevant things, although one can occasionally lead to the other.
Thank you! I personally enjoy to have my room decorated with things I love, but I also really enjoy not having so much stuff.
Everyone’s minimalism looks different. Minimalism is also two schools, less is more and as a design aesthetic. People can practice one, the other, or both. Don’t worry what others do, you do you.
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What? Sorry for repeating what you *just* said, but did the minimalist art movement proceed the lifestyle?! I trust you, but it doesn't *feel* right. It feels like there should have always been minimalists, for example religious folks (nuns, monks etc, I'm just guessing). Or just minimalists because of economical issues where you actually don't have the money to buy things but then maybe it isn't really minimalism as a lifestyle anymore. Sorry for rambling, I'm newly awake, slept way less than I need and am waiting for my coffee.
Simple answer: Art is where the term "minimalism" originated. People co-opted the word to mean a lifestyle. People have lived a minimalist lifestyle long before the word/term was used.
Alright! Then I think it's kind of important to differ between the two: the term versus the actual lifestyle/artform. Because then you can't say minimalist art was proceeding minimalist lifestyle, it's just the term that proceeds. Doesn't really matter all that much but, you know, it's kinda neat to say it correctly I suppose.
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Asceticism, that was new word for me. Had to look that up! Doesn't minimalism fall under asceticism? Kind of like: you don't have to be "an asceticist" (you probably can't say it like that but you get what I mean) to be a minimalist, but to be an asceticist you have to be a minimalist?
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I see. Very interesting.
i like this comment - thank you
Here to say that this is true for me also and it’s a great call out! I wish I had found minimalism in my teens! Instead I had tons of clutter, a messy room, too much stuff in general. This will help you in the future for sure!
I just thought I would clear out my room similar to how UnJaded Jade on youtube did hers. I'm already less stressed, and more motivated to do schoolwork as a result!
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I've noticed that getting rid of a lot of stuff has made my bedroom more like mine, if that makes sense? I've travelled to Berlin for a week with my school (ages ago, don't worry) and I found then that having too much stuff was more of a hassle than a necessity. Now I can change my room to whatever I want really easily, as my tastes always change. I'm doing this to help take control back of my life, as quarantine made me feel a bit lost for a little while.
Yeah, I feel you. I have a small collection of rocks, pines and shells from my travels, there's no way I'm throwing this away. I like off white and pastel colours in interior walls etc but I also ADORE vintage stuff and florals. I have few clothes and quite a few empty drawers but I'm still a bit messy at times and you'll see my clothes all around the room.
My rooms still a bit messy from clearing it out, but it's neat enough, and I know it's not rubbish. I still have some souvenirs from school trips around the room, and I'm not getting rid of them anytime soon.
That's a very interesting point. People who just want the aesthetic will probably lose interest after awhile. Then they'll redecorate & be modernists or antiquers or whatever. As I see it, every individual's minimum is a personal choice. I still have quite a few DVDs, because that's my preferred medium. And I'm not the sort of person who could feel comfortable with no decor at all. But I still consider myself a minimalist because I don't buy more than I have a use for, or shop for recreation.
This is your life, and you get to decide what works best for you. Minimalism is not a cult. There are no hard and fast rules. Ultimately minimalism is a useful tool to discover what's truly important to you. The importance of any particular object is highly subjective and will differ from person to person; thus your version of minimalism will look different than someone else's version. Be willing to ask the tough questions, but remain true to yourself. Ask yourself when you gain by keeping an item, and what you gain by letting it go.
I totally agree. I think that practicing minimalism shouldn't feel like a chore and that you should still keep things that bring you joy, even if it's quite a few things. I've tried to be minimalistic since I was a teenager (which kinda amounted to fighting against purchasing impulses) though I've only recently realised that it doesn't have to just be owning as little as possible and that holding onto sentimentality shouldn't make you feel guilty.
This is so great to know a teenager and a fellow minimalist. I first discovered minimalism through tidying up and then removing things that don't serve purpose in my life. The aesthetic never bother me as long as my possessions have a significance in my everyday life.
Minimalism, both as aesthetic and philosophy, should lift you up and release you from worry, anxiety, and time-suckage. This applies to those who relish owning 10 items, or Karens realizing they only need 3 kitchen countertop devices instead of 8. If you know what you own and why you own it, you're a minimalist. If it overwhelms you to ask yourself that question, you're probably not - but I'm also not into gatekeeping, and I think minimalism, like sobriety, is an idea you hold inside, and reach towards - and that is to say that there is no minimalism finish line.
I’ve always thought of minimalism as a subjective state of mind. Control what you can and exist where you have to. Having things doesn’t make you not a minimalist and having nothing doesn’t make you one either. Minimalism is a stepping stone for a clearer conscious, not an aesthetic.
Please don't "No true Scotsman" minimalism. Everyone's minimalism is different; personal even. I quite like this article. [https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/these-are-the-6-types-of-minimalists-which-one-are-you-250532](https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/these-are-the-6-types-of-minimalists-which-one-are-you-250532) It shows 6 different styles of minimalism (which, each person may share aspects of, rather than necessarily just one in its totality). It doesn't treat one as more valid or "real" than the others. It's not a without it's flaws (what is?), but it's a very nice article.
If you ever find yourself concerned with sussing out what is "true minimalism", then you're doing it wrong.
I really needed to hear this, I have several very fulfilling and productive hobbies which require materials and tools and sometimes I start to feel anxious when I see my drawers and desk cluttered
Like you, I don't believe minimizing is a goal in itself. Rather, it's a means to the end of doing and being more of what you love. More of what turns you on. More feeling *alive*. *Hell yeah or no*. That's what Derek Sivers would say, and I like the guy's writings. That's what minimalism is *really* about, in my opinion. Making as much of your life as possible a *hell yeah or no*. I believe it's harder these days *because* so many of us are so. goddamned. rich. Rich in possibilities our ancestors never had. And that's *great*. It just has its pitfalls, too. Your *things* aren't even the most important part of that broader philosophy, y'know? Your work/income--due to high number of hours per week--as well as finding your people/community, are more important. Basically, ha, finding 'yourself'. The goal is to be on fire, I say. Eventually. It's just pretty hard to sustain a fire when most of the material you're trying to light isn't flammable.
Minimalism as practiced here is being intentional. Keep things that you use or love. Spend time and money on what adds value to your life. Do not 'keep up with the Jones''. Next door neighbor has a Tesla? Maybe a Tesla is exactly the right car for you, maybe a junker truck is but either way you'll replace your current car when it's time, not just because the neighbor has a new car. Keeping a little stinker of a dog brings I'm not sure what to my life but I want it. Certainly most people wonder why I've got him. I've pared down to things I will use and get rid of stuff I no longer have a need for. Most important that Buy button isn't pushed unless I'm certain it will bring value, improve something I've already got going on or is replacing something.
Is minimalistic having TONS of white furniture, tons of b&w clothes, tons of decor (minimalistic of course). NOPE! Its less STUFF, any stuff you want to have less of. And thats it. Have a room painted pink and purple and green if you would like, have all the sentimental stuff you want, and still be a minimalist. Minimalist on things that are not important to you. Because all of us keep the stuff we love the most, be it stuffed animals, books, camera gear etc. Also, 15 AND a minimalist? You are way ahead of the game dear. I sound like a grandma, I promise Im not, Im only a mom lol. But congratulations on adopting minimalism at such young age.