Simple Living or Minimalism – Which is Right for You

If you’ve heard much about simple living or minimalism you may be wondering what the difference is, and which is right for you. Let’s explore that idea today and take a deeper look at each!

If you’ve been around social media for any length of time you’ve likely heard of simple living or minimalism. Often times, the two are thought of synonymously. Truthfully, if you’re a minimalist, you likely do live simply. Likewise, if you’re living simply, you’ve probably paired down your possessions and live in a more minimal space. So, what’s the difference exactly? Let’s take a look at the definition for simple living first.

Simple living – refers to practices that promote simplicity in one’s lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the amount of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.

According to Wikipedia, simple living is reducing your possessions, depending less on technology, and spending less money. Miriam webster phrases it this way:

Definition of the simple life

—used to refer to a manner of living in which a person does not own many things or use many modern machines and usually lives in the countryside. – He lives in a small cabin and enjoys the simple life.

Essentially simple living isn’t always simpler. Simple living is leaning more into the ways Grandma and Grandpa (in some of our cases great grandma and grandpa) did things. It’s tilling the land, sowing the seeds, and reaping the harvest. It’s building the chicken coop, raising the chicks, and then gathering the eggs. Connecting more with our food and knowing where it comes from. They didn’t live above their means, and as of 100 years ago, most of America’s population identified “Farming” as their occupation.

My great grandmother was born in the year 1900. She was a 30 something-year-old mother of a few when the Great Depression hit. My age. She passed when I was only 3 and my memories of her are very dim. However, I have the blessing of a family that remembers a lot about her, and the way she did things. From what I’ve heard, the simple life wasn’t easy. Animals to tend, gardens to preserve, children to raise. No fast-food chains, robot vacuum cleaners, or mega chain stores to rely on. Certainly not easier, but definitely fulfilling.

Do you have to shun modern conveniences, move to a farm, and give up restaurants?

No. Simple living can be done anywhere, by anyone. You can live on a farm in a luxury mansion, be in debt PASSED your eyeballs, and have a stressful, high paced job you hate…that’s the total opposite of simple living.

In a nutshell, simple living is living contentedly. Wanting less because you know money doesn’t buy happiness. It could mean switching jobs to one you enjoy more even though the pay is less. Perhaps it’s selling your large, expensive home with a high mortgage payment for something more modest and affordable. It could even be starting a few seeds on your small patio in the city. Simple living is what you make it right where you are.

Minimalism –

The Minimalists put it this way: “Minimalism is a lifestyle that helps people question what things add value to their lives. By clearing the clutter from life’s path, we can all make room for the most important aspects of life: health, relationships, passion, growth, and contribution.”

Minimalism is owning fewer possessions, being intentional with what’s in your home, and focusing on what’s actually important. I think we’re all sold the same lie: Buy this product and you’ll be happy…or healthy…or wealthy. Minimalism is about breaking those thought patterns. Realizing that objects don’t make you happy. They just make you desire more.

Let me give you a real-life example. I fell in the trap of a social media influencer once with skin care. She touted that this particular skin care completely transformed her face. She described her skin having some of the same issues mine did. I quickly ordered a couple of the (very expensive) products and couldn’t wait to use them. Fast forward a few weeks, and I’m terribly disappointed. The things I ordered weren’t great, and I’m out about $100. They very first thought I had when my results weren’t great were, “I wish I would’ve ordered the other things too. I bet my results would’ve been better.”. That’s what happens, isn’t it? Something doesn’t meet our expectations, so we just hop in the vicious cycle of more, more, more. Buying more, spending more, and feeling like we need more.

Minimalism breaks those chains of more. It gives you the freedom to know what you actually need because you’re living with less and more “in tune” with your actual needs.

Minimalism takes discipline to initially reduce what you own, but also to steer clear of the path of consumerism. We are constantly bombarded with advertisement for products that we simply do not need. The minimalist mindset recognizes that and applies the discipline necessary to avoid falling prey to those ads.

Is minimalism only owning 50 things and getting rid of my car?!

No, although that’s often what people think when the subject is brought up. They think white walls, white furniture, and white flooring, and all black clothes. It’s often assumed that there are certain rules one must follow, like owning 50 things, giving up your car, and living in an empty home. Those are just not so.

In my humble opinion, minimalism focuses on what’s necessary inside your home so you can live abundantly doing the things that matter most to you. It will look different for everyone. A single guy living in a loft in the city will be able to have far less than a married mother of three in the suburbs.

So… what’s the difference?

Obviously, I’m no expert, and a quick google search of either simple living or minimalism will give you 100 different definitions of each. I believe it boils down to this: Simple living focuses on slow, more back to basics living with less focus on decluttering. It recognizes those things which bring more value and joy to everyday life. Simple living takes contentment. Minimalism focuses on reducing your possessions so you can be more in other ways. It recognizes that by owning less you can live more. Minimalism takes discipline.

Personally, I aspire to be a simple living minimalist. I believe there is great value in living a slow, purposeful life. I also know there is tremendous value in pairing down our physical clutter to reduce mental stress. Reducing our belongings has enabled me to work more in the garden, focus on outside chores more, and live more abundantly with my family. When the contentment from simple living meets the discipline of minimalism, you can truly appreciate a slow and simple life free of consumerism and over consumption.

As always, thanks for spending a tiny part of your day here with me. I truly appreciate you and your support!

Here’s an image to pin for later…

Here’s an image to pin for later…