Minimalism: Deciding (Should vs. Must)

Woo! @josh_and_ryan loved my comment on minimalism & a look at it's origins: http://j.mp/i99qhkless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneMark Mapstone
markmapstone




Interesting topic.

I can do clean (with regard to hygiene and design), I can do ‘must’ (no shoulds!), I can do downsizing and I can live an anti-materialistic lifestyle.

I don’t think I can do minimalism. The reason? I feel I haven’t achieved my potential yet, and in the absence of that, I may be entering into a false state of belief about minimalism, which may not be genuine, true and lasting.

I feel in order to enjoy the benefits of minimalism, one must accumulate a lot of stuff. Excessive stuff. Minimalism in the absence of ‘stuff’, equates to not achieving ones potential.

Hmm, that one is going to need some explanation…

Look at a picture of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. I would guess that minimalism is the top level – Self Actualisation. With all bases essential for ‘complete living’ below it. If you agree and if any of those elements below Self Actualisation are incomplete, broken or not achieved, could the desire for minimalism be a conscious decision in the absence of something a person cannot fulfill?

Eg: I cannot find love, therefore I’m going to fill that gap in my life by downsizing and backpacking around europe.

Or… I cannot afford that big house I really want, so I’m going to face that fact by organising my living space better with less stuff.

Or… (for a non materialistic example)… I cannot achieve the expectations of my family for (owning or providing) financial security and stability, therefore I’m going to reject social pressures and conformities by living by a means I can afford and live by / be in control of.

Another example? (so many of your ‘must’ examples are cultural pressures btw – what does that say about you?) I have no value in my current employment role due to self esteem issues, therefore I will reject the the chase of status and live a simpler, less challenging and stimulating role, despite the risk I may regret not achieving my potential in future.

Ooof… a lot to juggle mentally there!

My point is… maybe I’ve already made it… but I’ll repeat then…

Can true, genuine and long lasting minimalism only be achieved once all levels of Maslows pyramid are complete? If yes, erm… fair enough… that’s what I think too. We will be actively choosing to reject a fully achieved life, in the quest for a more simplistic one.

If no, is minimalism a scapegoat for not achieving our potential?

Or is there something else?

Good topic… I enjoyed thinking about it

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