4 Reasons Minimalist Bloggers Bother

I think people talk too much about minimalism.

I know I do.

What is it, I wonder, that not only compels me to simplify my life but to go through the rather complicated process of writing about it, too? And why would you bother to exert the effort to read what I have to say? It would be simpler for both of us, actually, just to sit quietly.

So why do those of us who write about minimalism have so much to say when it takes more than minimal effort to say it?

I have a list, as it happens. (Have you noticed we minimalists so often write list posts?)

Here are the top four reasons I think there’s so much being written these days about minimalism. Maybe you’ll find within them them the reasons you’re reading.

1. Minimalism and writing go together to like minimally processed organic peanut butter and no-sugar-added jelly.

Writers, even the most flowery among us, are constrained to minimalism by the limitations of words anyway. Some of us hope to make some money. Some of us write to help us clarify our own goals. Some of us write because we feel compelled to do it. Whatever the reasons we write — and no matter what we write about — writers are reducers. We reduce complex ideas into simple words. It’s what we do.

2. Lots of us are forced into it anyway.

People write what they know, and lots of people are forced into simpler lifestyles by finances and situations anyway. I’m not cut out for a world full of cubicles, although I tried it for three or four years. Leaving the world of sameness often results in financial insecurity, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Peace of mind trumps financial security any day.

3. Others have found success saying it.

You know who Leo is, don’t you? Leo Babauta is behind Zen Habits and some other blogs related to simplicity and minimalism. Although I don’t suppose anyone has independently confirmed this, Leo claims great financial success from writing about minimalism. And there are a few others who seem to be making a full-time living writing about minimalism. Are they anomalies? Or can anyone do it? I’ll be terribly honest about this one. I think it’s possible. But from personal experience, I’m not completely sure. (It’s a funny concept really — a successful minimalist. Perhaps it means one polo shirt from Macy’s to go along with the five white t-shirts.)

4. There’s something called convergence.

This get sort of heavy here, I’m afraid. The spiritual types among you will already understand this, and the rest of you probably don’t want to. Convergence is a coming together, and when thoughts and writings on a particular topic begin to converge, there’s a chance of reaching critical mass — that point at which the world tips a bit and minority opinions become the majority. Can you imagine how the world would be different if those who practice minimalism and simplicity were the majority?

So why am I talking so much?

I’d like to make money blogging about a simpler life, and I don’t have much money now, so a simple life is my best option. And I’m a lifelong writer, so I understand the necessarily minimalist presentation to which words constrain us.

I’m writing because for the moment, it’s what I’m compelled to do. And I’ll keep doing it, whether I become part of a simpler majority or not.

And why are you reading?

Did you really expect me to answer that? It seems like a job better suited to you.