Welcome to the Revolution

Source: Flickr: Franco Folini 

There is a revolution brewing.  It is the second cousin of the hippie movement, the successor to Postmoderism, the antithesis of materialism, the silver bullet for greed, and the iron fist that puts power back into the hands of the people.  You can find it hidden up in the hills, right above you in the converted warehouses of post-industrial neighborhoods, in high rises, and suburban backyards, on planes and plantations, in art, in language, and architecture.  It's footprints are small, but it's impact has the ability to the shake the world as we know it.

MINIMALISM. A movement that is gaining speed each and every day.  Companies are changing the way they do business, builders are changing their blueprints, and people everywhere are changing the way they shop, work, and live their lives.  

Minimalism cuts out the fluff, the facade, the fat, and the filler, leaving only the raw, rubbed, gem behind.  There is no more faking it.   Minimalism demands authenticity.  

Minimalism sees right through the pride of possession and the false security of materialism.  It looks at all the kingdoms of the world as rubbish.  The minimalist realizes that peace, happiness, and freedom can never be bought.

Minimalism is pervasive, counter-cultural, refreshingly intellectual, and resourceful.   

In a society that says that MORE will make you HAPPY, and MONEY can buy you PEACE, minimalism says that those things can never be held in your hand--they are in your soul.

Minimalism and Freedom

Free Yourself
Source: Jesus Solana

My last post, The Real State of the Union, was all about the United States economy, and the holes in its ship.  What does this mean for the minimalist?

Minimalism is about cutting down to the essentials, and not desiring any extras.  Within the minimalist community, there are offshoots of Lifestyle Designers, tiny house dwellers, simple living enthusiasts, and those seeking financial independence.

 I would say that the majority of minimalists want to live small, in order to have more freedom.  Freedom is the connector to all of those communities.  Minimalism offers freedom.

Minimalism and Self-Sufficiency

Minimalists say, "Screw you" to the social order.  Minimalists see the deterioration of society at the hands of out of control consumerism.

When you are not anchored to a massive amount of possessions, you are free to move wherever you want.  No matter what the economy does, or where political unrest unleashes, the minimalist is free to move about the cabin.  When your wealth isn't tied to your possessions, then moving to another part of the country, or even across the world, can be done at the flip of a switch.

If you migrate across the world, with a backpack, working out of internet cafes, who can touch you?
If you adopt simple living, running a micro from your garage, and producing your own food, who can touch you?

On several trips out into the wild, I have had an interesting thought, what if World War 3 broke out while I was gone?  What if the stock market crashed?  What if the President was comprised?  Out there, there would be no way of knowing.  Can I even say, that out there, it wouldn't matter.

When you live self-sufficiently, you can choose what parts of society affect you.  Not all parts of it are bad.  There are great social programs that help with disaster relief, housing for orphans, and basic safety standards.  Society can offer some great benefits to the individual, but you shouldn't ever rely on them, because they are fallible.

Utlimately, you are responsible for your own health, wealth, safety, and happiness.  Become a minimalist, and free yourself.

What is Lifestyle Design?

Image Source: Flickr: Juicyverve

Lifestyle Design is a term associated with Timothy Ferris' book The Four Hour Workweek.  It is all about designing your ideal lifestyle, and taking the appropriate steps to make it happen.

One of the major points of The Four Hour Work Week, is the idea that people don't want money, they want the time that money buys.  Do people really want to be millionaires, or do they want time to relax on Lake Como with their families, learn a new language, or take exotic dance lessons?

Ferris proposes the idea that, if you play your cards right, the lifestyle you desire is completely in reach.  The catch is, is that you have to start thinking about your time differently.

The Four Hour Workweek isn't about chilling on the beach for the next 50 years.  At first glance, lifestyle design may appear like an excuse for laziness, but it is far from it. Rather, it embraces hyper-efficiency and the utilization of your highest talents.

What are you placed on this planet for?  What talents do you have to offer the world?  What job or activity would you feel fully alive doing?  These are all questions lifestyle designers ask.

If you are interested in lifestyle design, I would suggest checking out Timothy Ferris's blog. Is full of fascinating information on lifestyle design.  He frequently does tests on himself to find ways to learn quicker, get stronger, and accomplish more efficiently.

Minimalism Offers Something For Everyone

Do you want to live like this?
Flickr: Davidd.  CC-BY-2.0

Or like this?
Flickr: Rooey202. CC-BY-2.0

Whether you want to live out of a suitcase and travel the globe, or just keep up a clean basement, minimalism offers something for everyone.  Living an uncluttered, healthy, and rewarding lifestyle, offers immense benefits to people from all walks of life. 

There is a tendency within the minimalist community to dwindle ones life down into oblivion, which may not be realistic for all individuals.  The important thing is to keep only what adds substance to your life, and remove any baggage that is weighing you down.  How much you decide to carry through this life is a personal decision but don't forget that you can't take it with you.