Let’s be completely real. There are conditions you need to realise and act on before you tread into becoming a Minimalist. Types of Minimalists aside, ground rules exist for Minimalists to live by so Minimalism can run its cycle effectively, like a zen river flowing. Depending on what kind of a Minimalist you are planning to be, some criteria will or will not apply. If you aren’t sure what the caboodle is a Minimalist or Minimalism, please pop by here first.
Not putting a damper on the enthuse, here are 20 reasons why you can’t (realistically) be a Minimalist.
1- You are living with your parents or pesky roommates
Single and still living with your family? If you cannot afford a rental or do not want to, living with your family may not be the best thing for Minimalism goals. Moms and pops have their own rules, as Maximalist as it can be with all the mismatched fabrics and multiples of cutlery. And you need to abide by them. Same for roommates who are not the most cooperative at home, and household members not resisting the chaos of clutter. Of course, you can gradually convert them into fellow Minimalists, but it’s not going to be easy peezy.
2- You have difficult children
Sometimes, you just have difficult children who cannot steer clear of trouble and a whole shitload of mess in the house. Muddy shoes all over the sofa, cupboards rummaged, toys and books trashed. You cannot find a day where white surfaces stay white for long. Working parents can feel very strained and taxed on the amount of mayhem their mad children are capable of. Plus, if kids frequently want things and grandparents gladly obliged. Your little ones rebel-cry if you start throwing their toys out by the dozens even as your white chairs and cushions are getting stained every other day. Going Minimal can do more harm than good here.
3- You are doing minimalism for the hype
Are you attempting minimalism because everyone else is doing it right now? Cos’ it is trending like crazy on social feeds? Well, trends eventually fade. Being Minimalist can save you a tonne of money and going back to a clutter-free home is invigorating. Still, is that really an ideal lifestyle for you? Think harder. Is it just aesthetically pleasing or a life routine that teaches mindfulness on a daily basis?
4- You are afraid of being judged by others
Sometimes, doing what you want will incur the wrath of others. It happens. You are fearful and anxious of judgement, what others may think of you. Often, people will question when you decide to cull your wardrobe to a capsule, and limit the amount of colours you wear now. People will think your new wardrobe poses new oddity questions even if it doesn’t concern them. If you decide to sleep on a hammock instead of a bed mattress, your friends and family will flip when they come over. You cannot begin on Minimalism unless you stop being afraid of what others will say.
5- You have maximalist hobbies
If you are a hobbyist who prides on a growing collection of Star Wars or Marvel figures.. well, stuff will tend to balloon until you set a limit on how much you can collect. Vintage doll collectors tend to purchase extra storage to house the purchase of more dolls. Most likely, if you are a multiple hobby collector, obviously collecting stuff rapidly at a higher volume than others, you will have a difficult time trying to pare things down to the essentials of a Minimalist. Unless, you decide to forgo some hobbies.
6- You have maximalist careers (like being a famous person)
Many celebrities say they love the idea of Minimalism. But they will not be Minimalists. Sure, they own Minimal designer items. Not the least, their lives are so completely busy, clutter has to exist. Being busy, having busy things to work on and owning myriad things are really important in their industry. Also, brand sponsorships, endorsements and fan gifts will litter their spaces while assistants task to manage these. Far too often, they have a luxury of options.
7- You crave a wide variety
This is one of the important deal-breakers of Minimalism. You cannot forgo a wide variety of things. You need socks in several colours and patterns to choose from an expansive selection, and you cannot wear the same pair again for the next two days. Staying chameleon-like is high on the list, making you feel excited and vibrant each time you wear something new, nothing like the old. You are never so much satisfied as, being on top of trends and exploring a diversity of possibilities. And, you rather not stick to a few basic Monochrome staples most Minimalists go for.
8- You are the ultimate hoarder
Unfortunately, humans are natural hoarders. We have instilled ourselves to stow away as much as we could like little hamsters and their seed feed, so we survive better and longer. If you find yourself NOT giving things up on MOST occasions, becoming so crippled and paralysed to the point you enter into heart attack mode each time, forget being Minimalist. You have to let stuff go at some point, to embark on the decluttering process every Minimalist does. There’s a Chinese saying that goes, “nothing new will come if the old can’t depart”.
9- You are too sentimental
You can’t let sentimental things go and severely sob when you have to. OH, you are stuck. No matter what kind of sentimental objects, they are a reflection of your past. These items so crucial to your existence always remind you of precious memories. 3000 polaroid photos of your deceased rabbit, you refuse to bin. You amassed ‘thank you’ cards from people you have no idea who they are by now. Learn to go digital by taking snapshots of sentimental stuff, saving them in files on your hard drive if you had to revisit memory lane again.
10- YOU just do not like restricting interiors to a few (neutrals)
Some people just love loud, colourful prints on walls and furniture. Although very distracting and busy, to many it can be impressive. They relish ‘the character’ so characteristic of leopard prints, massive display of florals and distinct colours that do not fit together. Obviously, the matchy-matchy concept is old school and strange juxtapositions between fore and background interior arrangements foster eclecticism. Neutrals and limited colour schemes are boring, although the simplicity can be fun if done tastefully (just look at IKEA). The serenity of white walls and simple design is uplifting, if not breathtaking for Minimalists.
11- You clearly do not like (NEGATIVE) empty spaces
Recently, I removed my vanity table out of my room since I wasn’t using it much. Was not doing makeup these days (only slaps of BB and skincare which can be done anywhere). My mom thought I was crazy, now that I have a huge parking lot where the huge vanity was supposed to be. I had left that remarkable vacant nook as it is. She was upset that now, my room looks unoccupied and crass. Well, finally, I am enriched by the void before me. I wouldn’t say all Minimalists love the idea of empty spaces. But they know how important it is to have empty spaces. Casted in a blank slate, the few visible items seem more prominent, profound and meaningful.
12- Cleaning is a pain in the **S
Some Minimalist wannabes are really born naturals at decluttering and organising, tidying their belongings so well you won’t believe they did not clean them. YASS. They do not clean. No Dyson. Nada wash. In actual, things get dusty and dirty so quickly, you won’t believe the extent of how horribly disgusting they are until you actually put them in water. The Minimalist process is only complete once everything you have decluttered is cleared of impurities. How could you eschew that irksome stench from a fine carpet for months?
13- You detest one item serving multiple purposes
I know, I was there. I hated using one tool for multiple use. Although a stool can be set as a tiny table, I did not want to utilise it as anything else but stool. If you live in a small space, a dining table has to double up as a desk. A bookshelf as room divider, living and kitchen storage. The benefits to multi-functions outweigh the cons - you combine uses so you have lesser things, lesser need to clean, freeing up needed space, saving money and contributing to less waste. Again, Minimalists will say less is more. Stripping possessions down to the barest makes them creative of what they have.
14- You still think less waste is a joke
If you ever, ever seek to be a genuine Minimalist someday (or a decent human being), please make less waste a priority in your life. It is detrimental to our planet. Save Earth, save us as well. Minimalism will not work - unless you try to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You will be far grateful for what you have if you generate lesser waste and is responsible for what you produce and consume.
15- You assume up-cycling is for beggars
Once, I had chanced upon a conversation among a group of nouveau riche dissing off up-cycling and its value. They believed that an old side table, is at best wonky, no doubt to be ditched in the dumpster. They scorn Freegans searching and digging away trash, labelling them beggars. Beggars can’t be choosers - they would pick up junk items right away to reuse. The true merits of Minimalism are right there - seeing value in absolutely anything they can find, and repurposing them so they may go around for a longer time. In a way, minimising waste and restoring its life.
16- You like to buy and store multiples
Just… don’t. You won’t be using the 5th or 6th scissors in the house - it won’t cross your mind about them at all. Listen to all the great Minimalists Fumio Sasaki, Joshua Fields and Ryan Nicodemus.. they will say the same. You only need one thing at one point of time. If you really want to make an exception, get a bonus extra. Try to limit your items to 1 at best and 2 at worst. Unfortunately, I live with my parents having 8 pairs of scissors in the house in case robbers and conniving idiots have to steal 6.
17- You love spending on things you don’t even use
Some peeps really enjoy home shopping, browsing those channels and picking up stuff they don’t even need because they appear cool on TV. Same for impulse retail purchases. Big mistake, Minimalist FAIL. Think again, does it really spark joy like our dear Marie Kondo emphasised? Is it really necessary you get that miracle juice blender when you don’t even juice often at home. Or a yoga mat, when you could have borrowed it from someone else?
18- You haven’t found the reason to love and live for yourself
Probably the most philosophical reason you can’t ever be Minimalist, true story for most. You haven’t found the drive to live in your own way. There are many of us still searching for ourselves. There ain’t no competition to this. Find some quiet, alone time. Then start thinking and writing down what you really like about yourself, how do you want to live your life, considering all the excess baggage you have. When are you going to let go? You cannot really reap the benefits of Minimalism unless you truly know, accept and begin to love yourself.
19- You never believed minimalism could solve real world problems
Cynics and skeptics thought Minimalism was The Hipster Fad of Intentional Suffering in little man and woman caves. I find it strange that they are looking at Minimalism on the outside, purely as a distanced observer. If you practise Minimalism, or some form of slow living, you will notice how much happier you could have been, compared to years ago. People have sought out divorces, cleared all their debts and worked closer towards their own goals. They’ve turned their life around. Completely, through Minimalism.
20- You procrastinate too much
You can’t get started on Minimalism unless you stop procrastinating. Listen carefully to what you heart says, does it want to embark on the Minimal journey? Do you want to clear out that wardrobe filled to the brim with towering stacks of clothes, doors bursting? Sit for 2 minutes in a room, and decide within these 2 mins if you are REALLY going to get the task done today. Many Minimalists procrastinate often, but they do eventually get out of it.