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What if it Turns Out You’re Using Minimalism as an Escape Mechanism?

3/2/2021

2 Comments

 
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I was recently asked, “Do people use minimalism as an escape mechanism?”

My response was as follows:  

​I’m sure some do - as life is full of everything.

​What I fear, more, is that many use minimalism as a way to shame themselves and curl away from the delicious, abundant juiciness of life.
Minimalism as a denial of materialism
Minimalism often seems hard and cold and like a withholding or denial of materialism.

Nevertheless, that motivation toward minimalism holds valid points: Materialism, consumerism and Industrial Age thinking that has tried to control nature and deny the divine - all that has created the very situation and untenable mess modern culture has created for itself.

Sacrificing pleasure and joy for correctness and austerity 
I think one has to be careful not to deny pleasure and what brings joy in life as exchange or sacrifice for being “correct”, responsible, and austere. Unless that is one’s true nature and feels truly nourishing, healthy and harmonious!

Looking into your cultural programming and brainwashing
We do live in a physical world. We are physical beings. So, my invitation would be for folks to investigate the way they’ve been living, yes. Look into the programming and brainwashing by culture and even their/your families, and come to your own, deep, true and honest view. I have a free Intentional Living jumpstart worksheet to help you in that process.
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And eventually, or all at once if that serves you, make changes to live in accordance with your values, while honoring your joys and passions – all in balance.
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This can be a difficult road and process. And I remember for me, I knew I was entering into territory that would threaten and exclude me from familiar and cultural support.

So, I created a Voluntary Simplicity Support Group in the city where I lived - just for this purpose. It was so helpful to have community and kindred spirits, fellow seekers and sensitive souls, to share, explore, bounce ideas off of, learn from and with. We did this for over eight years.

Courage to live life my own way
The experience gave me the courage to live life my own way. In the process, I became a leader and model of simple living (called voluntary simplicity at that time) where I lived.
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Like this quote? Share on Pinterest!
I certainly have continued to follow my heart and values in the life I now enjoy in an indigenous mountain village in Mexico.

My book, “Calling Myself Home: Living Simply, Following Your Heart and What Happens When You Jump” is the story of this journey - where I came from, what I went through, and where and how I arrived into a new life in an old world - beyond any fiction I could have made up.

I also coach, teach and (in the works) lead retreats to help support midlife folks in their simple living transition and journey - to their most fulfilling, true to them, soulful life.

​But you, dearest, are you sacrificing joy and pleasure for "correctness" and austerity? If so, I encourage you to inquire  within your heart about the beliefs and burdens you've chosen and picked up along the way. Do they serve? And what would be a gentler, softer, self-loving way for you to live out the rest of your days?

If you are interested in, grappling with, actively seeking or considering a move towards living simply or minimalistically, here are some other articles I've written that specifically address minimalism vs. simple living. Definitely worthwhile food for thought.

Click on the links to read these articles:

Do you think you could adapt a minimalist lifestyle?

Are You a Yes or a No Woman?

Are You A Minimalist? What Do You Own Or Don't Own That Gives You Contentment?
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How Does Minimalist Lifestyle Contribute to our Society from an Environmental Standpoint?

Earthquake Post Shock
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2 Comments
Trish
3/6/2021 06:08:07 am

Robin this topic is one I have learned the most from, and has been the most challenging. For many years of my life finances were at the heart of what I bought for myself. I had enough for the necessities but not the frills. Then while living in Mexico my finances shifted and I had the resources to indulge and still I didn't. I said I wanted a simple life. And that was true, yet still I could buy myself things, the question was why I wasn't and did it have to do with something deeper. The challenge was to look at what was I wanting to fill, what was the desire about, where did it live in me? The hunger I felt at times wasn't about food. It was something deeper, that was the challenge. To allow myself to look at those hungers, and truly fill them with what they asked for. Over the years I have continued to explore this challenge when I find myself in a denial mood for whatever reason I give, and look at what is missing. I have come to find a balance in living simply, and surrounding myself with the juiciness of life. Thank you Robin....

Reply
Robin link
3/9/2021 07:05:10 am

Thank you for sharing such a deep nugget here, Trish. It seems to me you have discovered and tapped around this nugget at the center of the struggle between "minimalism" and desire/need/hunger.

On one hand, definitely looking at the source of one's hunger/desire for things is crucial and hard work. And then I also see the inner deep work around why the denial of that hunger/desire/need/pleasure? What's at the core of THAT? "I'm not deserving"? "It's wrong," "I shouldn't"?
For me there has been a lot of martyrdom and guilt/repenting for my culture. I had taken on responsability and blame for what. "my culture" has done to the earth, to the world, to life and living.

Based on grief and my super-sensitivity for all I've perceived since youth - my heart was heavy with all the "wrong" that finally manifested in the world as materialism, consumerism, over-busy-ness, living for should's and not from the heart, lives wasted in my view. Lives of disconnection from self and Divine, and the enormous opportunity and responsibility of being alive here on earth.

Now I aim to find balance between desire/pleasure and simplicity. (I don't like the term, "Minimalism"). I agree with you, Trish, knowing what the hunger is about and is really saying and needing is key.

Much love,
Robin

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    Robin Rainbow Gate

    I help people midlife and beyond to find their inner power, health and well being through slow, conscious living


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  • Home
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