Simplicity or Minimalism: Which is For You?

I recently read a blog post by a professional declutterer explaining why she focuses on simplicity with her clients instead of minimalism. 

Using the dictionary, she defined the words in the following way:

Simplicity: the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded. 

Minimalism: a style or technique that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.

Now, perhaps this author was alluding to the definition of minimalist art or architecture, but if referencing a modern minimalist lifestyle, I couldn’t get on-board with her stance.

Why? Because minimalism, drumroll please…. isn’t extreme. 

If, to the average American, owning only what you use and love seems extreme, it’s because we’ve acclimated to a culture of excess.

When the average home contains 300,000 items, only 20% that are routinely used (some studies say 6%), a home with significantly less stuff is deemed radical. 

In 1930, the average American woman had just 36 items in her closet. Now it’s 120. What once was viewed as normal (to own 36 wardrobe items) is now seen as extreme.

In the 1950s, the average child had a handful of beloved toys, while today it’s not uncommon for one child to own 200 toys or more. Owning only a few highly played with toys is now considered drastic.

When excess is normalized, less than excess becomes countercultural and even extreme. 

What minimalism is not

The article went on to describe people who live a minimalist lifestyle as people who don’t own collections, detest throw pillows and candles, and own only the bare necessities. While some may live this way, most minimalists I know own homes that look like a standard, furnished home. They are just usually uncluttered and clean because they own less stuff.

The typical minimalist home is more likely to prompt the comment “Your home is tidy,” than “Why do you live under such extreme conditions?” 

You can be a minimalist and have a collection (my friend Rachelle Crawford, author of Messy Minimalism collects coffee mugs). You can be a minimalist and love color and decor (Christine Platt, author of The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living with Less has a brightly adorned minimalist home). And, you can even be a minimalist and buy throw pillows—I love the look of ours in our living room. 

Minimalism doesn’t mean stark white walls, a tiny home, and owning only 100 items. In fact, adhering to these external expressions of minimalism may mean you’re just following a trend instead of designing an authentic, meaningful life. 

History of minimalism

This modern movement toward a life with less stuff (simplicity, minimalism… monks used to call it “frugality”) is nothing new, but rather an infusion of ancient spiritual practices into our Western culture.

Minimalism has its roots in the ancient world, but its core message—life is better with less—has been applied throughout the centuries. Consider the words of the following simple-living advocates…

Socrates, 400 BC
“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

Jesus, 30 AD.
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15).

St. Francis of Assisi, 1200
“Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received—only what you have given.”

Henry David Thoreau, 1845
“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”

For the people quoted above, and many others throughout history, excess possessions were distractions as they solved world problems and pursued a bigger purpose in life. Minimalism, for them, wasn’t about counting how little they owned or showcasing a spotless home. Instead, a life of less stuff simply meant a life of more focus and meaning. Minimalism wasn’t an “extreme technique,” but rather a mindset or way of life. 

And it continues to be today.

A modern definition of minimalism

Merriam-Webster is a poor source for an accurate definition of the modern minimalist lifestyle. 

Instead, consider the words of blogger Anthony Ongaro:

“Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist offers this definition [of minimalism]: “Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things that bring you joy and the removal of those that do not.’ 

It might be called simple living, tiny living, intentional living, and a myriad of other things—but there is at least one common thread: the idea of curating the things we own to best reflect our priorities and vision for our lives.”

Minimalism is not extreme. It’s simply designing a life that matters by letting go of what doesn’t.

Intentionality

Minimalism and simplicity are one-in-the-same thanks to their common denominator: intentionality. Both minimalism and simple living result in the intentional pursuit of a life with less.

You can exert energy dissecting and disputing the two terms, or you can “keep it simple” and call them equal. 

Both promote a life with…

Less stuff, fewer half-hearted commitments, less self-talk that doesn’t serve you, less comparison, and less distraction. 

When you remove the excess from your life, when you cull the clutter that was weighing you down, you make space to go inward and redirect your time, energy, and attention toward what really matters to you. 

All that, call it minimalism or simplicity, results in a more meaningful life. 

Which is for you?

Are you familiar with that 1930s song sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (re-released in When Harry Met Sally)? Even I, who would fail miserably at any TV or music trivia category, have heard it.

It goes like this:

You like potato and I like potato
You like tomato and I like tomato
Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto
Let’s call the whole thing off.

Now apply it to minimalism and simplicity… 

You like minimalism and I like simplicity. 
Minimalism, simplicity.
The difference is just semantics.
Let’s call the whole thing off.

This is good news if you’re pondering which term best fits you. If you’re drawn to a life of less stuff, fewer trivial pursuits, and more intentionality and meaning, then both minimalism and simplicity are for you.

You choose the word you like best. One isn’t an extremist movement while the other, a forgiving, throw pillow-permitting lifestyle. 

In conclusion

So, are you a minimalist or a simplicity seeker? (Let me know which term you gravitate toward in the comments.)

My advice? Don’t get too caught up on the labels. You might even have something else you’d rather call the pursuit of less, like “living on purpose.” 

Instead, get busy creating the intentional, meaningful life you’ve always wanted.

***

Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist whose teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached over 1M people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband, two extremely lively young daughters, three-year-old son, and baby girl. You can also find her on Facebook.

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