Are we Minimalists if we’re not suffering?

I’ve recently observed, from a few sources, this notion that being a minimalist requires one to sacrifice their lifestyle in the pursuit of purging all worldly material possessions… and that may be true, if you aspire to be a minimalist Monk!

Having NOTHING does not a minimalist make, but having only what you need is the KEY here.

The subject of need is, well, highly subjective! It’s very trendy right now to live with as little as possible, where the new social currency is HOW MUCH you don’t “have”. While it’s always interesting to observe the limits of the human spirit and our ability to endure hardship, whether it’s self-imposed or due to misfortune, I personally can’t see the appeal of unnecessary hardship for the sake of character growth.

It always looks more like privilege guilt to me.

We fully recognize the privileges we’ve been afforded in this society… that we’re both young and reasonably attractive “white kids” from middle-class homes, born and raised in a “first-world” nation. I get it. Sometimes it’s extraordinarily difficult to observe the suffering of others while realizing the extreme wealth we’ve come to know as, just, “normal”.

It’s a staggering realization! So it somewhat “makes sense” that one could feel better about this realization when they look themselves in the mirror, in their 200 sq.ft. closet, with nothing but their backpack, and say “see man, you’re evening the score now bud!!”

But, don’t be fooled. This doesn’t change your “privilege”. This doesn’t make right all the wrong in the world. It just simply means you’ve chosen discomfort and sacrifice, and it’s probably meaningless.

It’s OK to be comfortable, it’s OK to dream and have success, and it’s also OK to realize your dreams and enjoy a degree of success while doing what you can to take only what you need to be comfortable and sustain that comfort. If you find yourself privileged enough to realize excess – in that you’ve also realized there’s much you don’t “need” – then give it away!!

That’s our plan, if we’re so fortunate to realize such good fortune!