Minimalism is Maximalism

An interesting turn of phrase has recently emerged: Maximalism.

The first time I heard the word was many years ago in a conversation with someone I had just met. When I mentioned the word “minimalism,” he responded by saying, “Oh, I’d describe myself as more of a maximalist. I want as much stuff as I can get.”

I filed away the word. “Clever wordplay,” I thought to myself.

Since then, I’ve seen it used off and on. But there appears to be a growing increase in its usage. Recently, in a number of articles, it has become used to designate a particular design with a loud style composed of mixed patterns, excessive, but curated collections, and saturated colors.

*Minimalism was also first used as a reference to an art movement and a design style.

But I will never forget my introduction to the word, maximalism. It was used to describe a life chasing material possessions. As if, somehow, that was something to be proud of.

I’ll tell you now what I told that gentlemen. I responded to his statement by saying, “But minimalism is maximalism. By minimizing my possessions, I maximize my life.”

Minimalism is less about the things you remove and more about the things you add.

The payout of minimalism lies in what you choose to pursue with your life rather than material possessions. It is maximalism.

It’s about maximizing the right things!

For example, I choose to own fewer possessions because:

I want to maximize time with my family.

I want to maximize adventure and freedom.

I want to maximize my deepest passions, not the passions hijacked by marketers and advertisers.

I want to maximize opportunity to make a difference in the world.

I want to maximize happiness, joy, meaning, and significance.

No doubt, you may complete any of those sentences differently. I don’t know what it is that you most want to maximize in your life—faith, or travel, or early retirement, or calm and peace in your home.

Whatever it is for you, be assured that minimalism provides that opportunity. Owning less frees up money and time and energy and focus.

Through minimalism, you can maximize all the things that matter most.

from Becoming Minimalist https://ift.tt/369BDb7