Should You Jump On The Minimalism Bandwagon?

Are Minimalism and Simple living just another trend?  My answer to this question is a resounding yes, absolutely, of course it is.

But my response to this is so what. Yes, Minimalism / simple living is the hot trend at the moment, but does that mean we should not pursue it?

Minimalism has been around for many, many years.  Minimalism is first thought to have been an underground movement, a small community of outcasts living content on their own, literally small world.

But today, Minimalism has moved from underground to the mainstream. If someone chooses to adopt a certain lifestyle, it is a personal decision. Regardless of whether people are jumping on the Minimalism bandwagon because it is trending, the fact remains that Minimalism is beneficial for the person practicing it. So does it matter whether it is trendy or not? It is just as foolish to pass up something that has the potential to vastly improve your life because it is trendy, as it is to follow something just because it is trendy.

We need to remember that most of the time there is a reason for trends (I say most of the time, remember beanie babies and crocs). The truth is Minimalism is receiving its 15 minutes of fame because people are beginning to recognize its benefits.

Minimalism and simple living have become a trend because more and more people recognize the need to step off the hamster wheel of consumerism and get in touch with what we value in life.

As a nation, we have been consuming more and more at such a drastic pace. Here is a great article from Becoming Minimalist on the consumer-driven society in which we live, and how to break free. But mass consumerism is nothing new, there was a very popular bumper sticker in the 70’s “he who dies with the most toys wins.” This mentality has held true 40 years later and we are finally realizing the fallacy in this. The more we consume the more it costs us, and not just in dollars, but in our most precious commodity of time. We have consumed so much that we have become a society burdened by our stuff.

As people become more educated in what Minimalism is, and its benefits, it grows in popularity. Every day, more and more people share the desire to live with less and more and more people are expressing the desire that they too, would like to eventually downsize and live simply.  Are they jumping on the Minimalism bandwagon because it’s currently trendy? Maybe they are? But again, who cares.

Aren’t trends how most of us ultimately make many of our purchase-related decisions? We were created to be a community and to need one another. All of us tend toward those who are like minded. The difference is, a lot of trendy things are ultimately just annoying (again think beanie babies and crocs).

Minimalism and simple living, however, give us the opportunity to be better.

Although de-cluttering is a good physical starting point for anyone who aspires toward simplifying their lives, it is so much more than that. Simple living gives you the ability to be more generous with both your money and your time. Through Simple Living, you have the ability to truly value your relationships above your possessions. To live with intention and purpose.

One of the best things about the current trend of Minimalism is that it is a personal thing. What Minimalism and simple living look like for one person may not be the same for another. It is not about numbers or the amount of things you own. Minimalism is not about all white walls and succulents. Nor is it about capsule wardrobes.

We are so blessed to live in the time that we do – there is so much abundance, but that doesn’t mean we need to be wasteful and have a big closet full of clothes just for the sake of it. I think it’s great that people are becoming more mindful of what they purchase; of where they spend their time, money, and energy.

Minimalism gives us the opportunity to be able to really think about what you buy. Every purchase is an opportunity to think about whether it really adds value to your life or if it just sits there and was a temporary distraction for feeling unhappy about something else in life.

I think the key thing about Minimalism is that it’s not just about owning and doing less, it’s about understanding what exactly are the things that truly add value and meaning to your life.

Wealth and abundance in our society are synonymous with money, but there is so much more to it than that. Feeling wealthy because of your experiences, friendships, or accomplishments, that is what true wealth is gained.

You can read more about the ways Minimalism and simple living make you rich here.

So while yes, Minimalism and simple living might just be a trend, it’s a trend that needed to happen. Why not jump on the Minimalism bandwagon and practice becoming a smarter, conscious consumer. After all, if we’re not constantly looking for ways to create a positive effect on our lives, what’s the point?

Even if Minimalism is a trend, if you adopt it wholeheartedly and genuinely as a lifestyle change, and because it’s a lifestyle it’s not a trend anymore, rather it is just the way you go about your day.

Have you adopted a minimalist / Simple living lifestyle? Share in the comments below.

Now live simply, live fully and make each day your favorite day!