Minimalism, Essentialism and Simplicity
Have you heard the buzz about minimalism? The concept started just after World War II and has exploded in the 21st century. Minimalism is paring down to a minimum and living with less. It’s no surprise that according to a 2011 study, 90% of Americans admit that unorganized clutter at home or at work has a negative impact on their life. There are major benefits to living with less. However, there is more to this concept. Maybe you are not about living with the least you can, but about living with what’s essential or living simply. While you are creating a new awareness of how much you really need, you can align with decluttering and organizing cultural concepts. There are several ways to create a less encumbered lifestyle and these choices might be minimalism, essentialism or simplicity.
Minimalism
Do you embrace a life where experiences are key and stuff bogs you down? Are you a person who owns less for the sake of owning less? When there is too much around you, do you feel anxious? You may be a minimalist at heart.
Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus , well known as The Minimalists, are bloggers who focus on the minimalist lifestyle. Their personal experiences about owning too much shape their writing. Their writing includes information about stuff, finances, debt and more.
Essentialism
Do you embrace a life where your essential needs are met and the stuff you own is only what is essential? Perhaps you purchase and keep only the essential items required for your daily living. You might keep only your essential items on the kitchen counter to use daily. You may be part of the essentialism movement.
Greg Mckeon, author of Essentialism shares his perspective about time and space. It’s the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time’. In applying criteria and prioritizing, we can choose what we want and what we want to do with regard to our core values.
Simplicity
Do you want to make life simpler? Are you okay with a few basic items out but keep what’s used less frequently in the cabinet? Are you feeling overwhelmed by too many meaningless activities that you used to love? You may just want to simplify your space and time.
My core belief and what we share at Professional-Organizer.com is to “keep it simple sweetie.” Our lives are enhanced by making decisions with simple choices. We are often drawn to complexity in our work and home so by stepping back and choosing simplicity, we can find happiness and balance.
It’s small distinctions that set apart minimalism, essentialism and simplicity. This granular evaluation of living the life you want can help you keep away from clutter and over-commitment. Your commitment to the lifestyle of your choice depends on where you are on the minimalism continuum.
