Minimalism Is Not a Radical Lifestyle

Minimalism Is Not a Radical Lifestyle When some people meet me, and they feel compelled to talk about minimalism, they think I live a radical lifestyle. They say things like I could never be a minimalist.  But the truth is that my lifestyle is not radical, and Im not a radical person. If you met me today, and we didnt talk about minimalism (which we probably wouldnt), you wouldnt think my lifestyle is much different from yours: I dont count my stuff, but I have hundreds of things, even after I got rid of 90% of my stuff: I own a car. I own pots and pans and kitchen utensils. I own a queen-size bed. I own a smartphone. I own a laptop. I own a desk. I own a guitar. I own some furniture. I own a shelf full of  books. I own a dresser and a washer and dryer and more than a few days worth of clothes. But there are three key distinctions: 1. I dont own excess. I have only the things I use frequently, things that add value to my life; but I dont have extra stuff, I dont have just-in-case items. If I wanted to change my lifestyle, then my definition of excess  would change, as well. For example, if I wanted to become a peripatetic writer, traveling the world like my friend Colin, then I would need to drastically reduce my possessions. But, at this point in my life, Im happy with where I live, and I dont desire to travel extensively. If that changes, then I will change. 2. I constantly question possessions. Do I still need this? When is the last time I used this? What would happen if I got rid of this? Could someone use this more than me? These are questions I consistently ask myself. Because I constantly question my possessions, I am in a perpetual state of paring down, which feels good. There is no endgame, I will never arriveâ€"I will continue the journey the rest of my life. 3. I dont give meaning to possessions. Most important, I understand that my possessions can be replaced. Someone recently asked me what I would grab if my apartment caught fire. Nothing,  I responded. Everything I own is replaceable.  Minimalism is not a radical lifestyle. Minimalism is a tool I use to get rid of unnecessary stuff and live a meaningful lifeâ€"a life filled with happiness, freedom, and conscious awareness. Because I strip away lifes excess, Im able to focus on the important parts of life: health, relationships, passions, growth, and contribution. Thats what living a meaningful life is about for me. How about youâ€"what could you strip away that would allow you to focus on the important aspects of your life? Subscribe to The Minimalists via email.