What Minimalism Isn't

Minimalism promises happiness. There is more to life than that.

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Minimalism Promises Happiness

I’m not here to sell you happiness. 

Though it’s something that most of us want, there is more than just obtaining happiness in this life. 

I am a minimalist by definition. 

I actively work to own only things that are one of two things:

1. They are things that are essential to my life - I.e. food, water, shelter, clothes.

2. They are things that bring me “joy” - everything else I own that is justified by bringing me “happiness”.

Though things we own can define some aspects of who we are, they don’t define us entirely.

For this reason, I think “Minimalist” as a way of describing someone’s way of life is somewhat lacking. And it’s 100% tied to “happiness” and what sparks “joy”.

Today I am proposing a new lifestyle term — Intentionalism.

Yes, I know that the term already exists in literature and is defined as “The theory that a literary work should be judged in terms of the author's intentions.”

But my definition pertains to a way of living that focuses on core priorities where (in its perfect state) all decisions are made toward the balance and fulfillment of each priority. 

So, in some ways, I think the literary definition also fits the new use of the word. Since a person chooses their priorities in life to focus on, we can then only judge them based on how well they are living to fulfill those priorities. It’s not an objective way of living but a subjective one. 

This is not a fast-track to happiness, but an effective way of living that simplifies decisions and choices by focusing on how they will effect an individual’s priorities. 

Intentionalism is focusing on the things that matter. 

Living in this way can indeed bring about long term joy, but in most cases, it’s not a quick path to happiness.

My Life Priorities

My main priorities are:

1. Faith

2. Family

3. Social

4. Work

5. Personal

In that order - or at least I strive to put them in that order.

In my sin nature, I tend to flip this list on it’s head focusing first on myself, then others, then my faith, but I constantly strive to live out this list from 1 to 5.

Buying, selling, reading, choosing, deciding, pursuing, etc. are all influenced by these 5 main priorities in my life. If any decision or choice must be made about something that falls outside of one of these five priorities, it gets left behind.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the choices that need to be made suck (for lack of a better term) and aren’t happiness-inducing, but they are fulfilling to the priorities I have set in my life. 

A hopeful side effect of this lifestyle is that these choices will lead to a lasting fulfillment. 

I am still working through this concept and will definitely continue developing it by way of my thinking, writing, content creation, and discussions with others.

In fact, I have made (maybe prematurely so) a download with seven steps to consider for living more intentionally which you can download here.

Leave your thoughts about Intentionalism in the comments section. I’d love to hear your opinions about this topic and discuss if it’s a useful way of living.