Minimalism as a Tool

Minimalism as a Tool

After adopting a minimalist lifestyle, I frequently read about the lives of other minimalists. 

I devoured books and articles about minimalists who lived in the ancient world (think 400 BC), modern-day minimalists, and everyone in between.

Their lives were highly inspiring and left me with a greater resolve to let go of unneeded, unused possessions. But soon, I realized their lives shared a commonality that went deeper than simply living with less.

Minimalism—living with fewer possessions—wasn’t their end goal. It was a tool to better carry out their life’s purpose. 

They had a mission. And excess possessions were distractions as they solved world problems and pursued a bigger purpose in life. A life of less stuff meant a life of more focus and meaning.

And it can for you too.

Here are four minimalists who used minimalism as a tool.

May reading a snippet about their lives inspire you to live an intentional, purpose-filled life with less.

1. Socrates

In 400 BC, the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, wandered barefoot along the streets of Athens. He wore a single, rough woolen garment in all seasons, and held no interest in money, fame, nor power.

His mission was to examine his fellow citizens through public questioning and persuade them that the most important good for a human being was the health of the soul.

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” he stated. 

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

2. Jesus of Nazareth

In 30 AD, God incarnate, Jesus of Nazareth, traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, having left a humble life as a carpenter’s son to embark on his public ministry. 

Jesus owned no home, staying where people would take him in. He opted for voluntary poverty during his ministry, living out what he told his disciples: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.” (Luke 9:3-4).

His mission (aka the mission of all missions) was to re-establish a relationship between humanity and God. He came to seek and save the lost, sacrifice his life for humanity’s sins, and make transformative union with the Father possible for his beloved children both now (Mt. 4:17) and for eternity (John 3:16).

When asked by a rich man what one must do to have eternal life, Jesus replied: “Go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mt. 19:21).

He also said, “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).

3. Henry David Thoreau

In 1845, American philosopher and political activist, Henry David Thoreau, left the “rat race and commerce” of Concord, Massachusetts for a simple living experiment in the woods surrounding nearby Walden Pond.

Defying social conventions, he built himself a tiny cabin and spent two years living in solitude and poverty. His mission was to discover what it meant to “live deliberately” instead of living a life of “quiet desperation” like the masses. Reforming society—not running from it—was his goal.

In his book Walden, he wrote, “Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts.” 

Regarding possessions, he also added, “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.”

And, “For my greatest skill has been to want but little.”

4. Mother Teresa

In 1950, Albanian humanitarian and religious sister, Mother Teresa, abandoned her role as a high school principal in Calcutta, India, to work in the city’s slums, aiding the city’s poorest and sickest people.

She walked the slums in sandals made by lepers, and her only habit was a cotton sari worn beneath an old, blue cardigan.

Her mission—and continued mission of her followers the Missionaries of Charity—was to be Jesus for the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for. “To be able to understand the poor and to be able to love the poor we must be poor ourselves,” she said. “So we possess nothing, we own nothing.” 

After years of living out radical poverty she said, “The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are.”

In conclusion

While your life’s calling/mission/purpose is likely quite different from the minimalists mentioned above, it is worth asking yourself this question:

How can I use minimalism as a tool to live out my purpose?

We all have a purpose, or several, in life.

Your calling likely isn’t “owning nothing, walking the streets, and serving the poor.” 

But it could include listening to your children with your ears and your eyes. Remembering the details of your spouse’s workday. Using your gifts to guide, inspire, or encourage others to live their best lives. Supporting a cause you’re passionate about. 

With more space (and less stuff), your capacity to live an intentional life grows.

Minimalism isn’t about how many items you own, how tidy your house is, or whether or not you hang art on your walls. It’s about eliminating the excess to focus more fully on what matters. 

Our lives, like the lives of these minimalists above, also have a ripple effect on the lives of many. When minimalism is used as a tool to fulfill our purpose, our lives and the lives of others are only better for it.

Here’s to learning from the minimalists that have gone before us. 

To embracing minimalism as a tool—one that helps us live our one life with intention.

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist. Her 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 and their four extremely lively young children. You can also find her on Facebook.

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