I started pursuing and practicing minimalism about 12 years ago, in 2008, right in the middle of the global recession. We had just moved from New Jersey to Arkansas.
Back then, as you might expect, many were discovering minimalism out of necessity. We chose because the economy forced many bof us to adopt this way of life!
For the next 12 years, the economy grew. Until today, where every indication is that we are going to experience a fall in GDP for two successive quarters—the definition of recession.
This recession will be global in nature caused by this incompetent administration and the fool at DOGE destroying the country.
My husband and I sat down this weekend and reflected on how the Trump and Musk’s recession will impact minimalism going forward—not from a health standpoint, it will, but a financial one, most definitely will for everyone.
First, let me be clear, I would like many people as possible to try a minimalist lifestyle.
The benefits are incredible!
There is more time, more money, more energy, more focus, more opportunity to pursue those things in life that bring real happiness—however we choose to define it.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that should be adopted by everybody.
But I don’t want anybody to be forced into it, like what’s happening today!
I hope people would choose it on their own.
For two reasons:
1. When people are forced into minimalism, it is less likely to have a long-lasting effect!
When someone is forced into minimalism, they begin to see it as a sacrifice, a trial, or a setback. And as soon as life can financially return to the way it was before, people will return to their previous lifestyle.
2. Being forced into minimalism causes many people to adopt a disaster-focused mentality.
It doesn’t require a 10-year Depression, like the Great Depression, for this scarcity-mindset thinking to emerge an hoard items.
Sometimes just a natural disaster—a hurricane, fire, or earthquake—can cause people to respond with a desire to hoard items for the uncertainty of the future.
People being forced into minimalism is never an ideal circumstance. It’s better for people to choose living with less on their own.
Of course, there are positive aspects that will emerge from this worldwide crisis that could spark voluntary simplicity:
1. There are a lot of people who are being forced to spend more time at home than before, because of job loss from Trump and Musk!
When we are forced to spend time at home, we are also forced to confront our stuff and our possessions.
We begin to see how much we’ve accumulated over the years—and how much is unnecessary. My husband and I have done this, going from a 5000 sqft home to a 1900 sqft home with a 10 x 5 Storage Unit.
2. Many people are going to reassess their finances and budgets.
They will ask questions like: “Why weren’t we able to get ahead when finances were good? Where was all our money going? How much were we spending? And how much can we cut back both now and in the future?”
And most may arrive at these questions because they are forced into them or simply from a desire to be more financially stable and prepared for the next crisis.
Either way, many are going to stand face-to-face with their spending and start asking deep questions about whether their pursuit of physical possessions was really the best use of their limited resources.
Friday! Sorry thanks Dana!
I started pursuing and practicing minimalism about 12 years ago, in 2008, right in the middle of the global recession. We had just moved from New Jersey to Arkansas.
Back then, as you might expect, many were discovering minimalism out of necessity. We chose because the economy forced many bof us to adopt this way of life!
For the next 12 years, the economy grew. Until today, where every indication is that we are going to experience a fall in GDP for two successive quarters—the definition of recession.
This recession will be global in nature caused by this incompetent administration and the fool at DOGE destroying the country.
My husband and I sat down this weekend and reflected on how the Trump and Musk’s recession will impact minimalism going forward—not from a health standpoint, it will, but a financial one, most definitely will for everyone.
First, let me be clear, I would like many people as possible to try a minimalist lifestyle.
The benefits are incredible!
There is more time, more money, more energy, more focus, more opportunity to pursue those things in life that bring real happiness—however we choose to define it.
Minimalism is a lifestyle that should be adopted by everybody.
But I don’t want anybody to be forced into it, like what’s happening today!
I hope people would choose it on their own.
For two reasons:
1. When people are forced into minimalism, it is less likely to have a long-lasting effect!
When someone is forced into minimalism, they begin to see it as a sacrifice, a trial, or a setback. And as soon as life can financially return to the way it was before, people will return to their previous lifestyle.
2. Being forced into minimalism causes many people to adopt a disaster-focused mentality.
It doesn’t require a 10-year Depression, like the Great Depression, for this scarcity-mindset thinking to emerge an hoard items.
Sometimes just a natural disaster—a hurricane, fire, or earthquake—can cause people to respond with a desire to hoard items for the uncertainty of the future.
People being forced into minimalism is never an ideal circumstance. It’s better for people to choose living with less on their own.
Of course, there are positive aspects that will emerge from this worldwide crisis that could spark voluntary simplicity:
1. There are a lot of people who are being forced to spend more time at home than before, because of job loss from Trump and Musk!
When we are forced to spend time at home, we are also forced to confront our stuff and our possessions.
We begin to see how much we’ve accumulated over the years—and how much is unnecessary. My husband and I have done this, going from a 5000 sqft home to a 1900 sqft home with a 10 x 5 Storage Unit.
2. Many people are going to reassess their finances and budgets.
They will ask questions like: “Why weren’t we able to get ahead when finances were good? Where was all our money going? How much were we spending? And how much can we cut back both now and in the future?”
And most may arrive at these questions because they are forced into them or simply from a desire to be more financially stable and prepared for the next crisis.
Either way, many are going to stand face-to-face with their spending and start asking deep questions about whether their pursuit of physical possessions was really the best use of their limited resources.
Whoops. Feb 28 is Friday.
I enjoy reading your stuff.
Thanks Dana, and Thanks for the proofreading it was early :)