Comments on: Is Minimalism a worthwhile form of activism?

By: Ruth - Web Career Girl

Ruth - Web Career Girl — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:24:20 +0000

Charlie above said minimalism is a lifestyle choice, and I agree – but I also think that lifestyle choices can be a form of protest or activism. “Be the change you want to see” is what I think will ultimately work. Take vegetarianism for example. I became vegetarian at the start of the year, before then I didn’t even think about it that much, and vegetarians probably wouldn’t have convinced me to change my view. I don’t expect to change people’s views, but I just do what I believe is right for me. Same with buying products that aren’t tested on animals (I’m not perfect but I’m beginning to learn a lot more about things like this). You can fight and argue to get your point across, but I think the choices you make for your lifestyle will ultimately carry a lot of weight too. Great posts Forest! I am only just now catching up.
Ruth – Web Career Girl recently posted..Earnings Are Up Starting Two “Hot” Niche Sites

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:35:47 +0000

Absolutely, discussion is awesome…. As for saving the county LOL…. but people talking in public forums could help the country a LOT!!! Thanks for commenting and joining the discussion

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:34:28 +0000

Hey Carol, Yes I love it when people get involved in the comments and really start pushing the topic around….. the comments are always the best part of a post!

By: Fred Wheatly

Fred Wheatly — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:04:53 +0000

It is always interesting to see the replies from such a diverse group on the variety of subjects. This blog could save our country….. LOL

By: Carol@inthetrenches

Carol@inthetrenches — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:59:48 +0000

Hey Charlie, Loved your comment. Sounds like Forest found a topic that what I call “rattled the brain” . Good for us sometimes as it challenges thoughts we have so long taken for granted that when confronted with alternate possibilities our mind just doesn’t know how to process it. Regardless of what you conclude it shows you’ve done some thinking.
Carol@inthetrenches recently posted..The Garage Sale (Part 2) – Sale Day

By: Forest

Forest — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:45:21 +0000

Hey Charlie, I don’t think questioning things is ever futile! But I do get where you are coming from, just some stuff I was thinking about and I wanted to discuss with my readers.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:45:07 +0000

I have no idea if it is a form of activism but I feel it is more a lifestlyle choice. Is it what brings a person a feeling of contentment, filling the inner self with self worth? Does a true minimalist really need any thing that adds to the confort of the physical body but at the same time adding to the expansion of the mind body connection. Does a minimalist have an ego? My head is hurting from this exercise in futility. Like asking where the material came from for the original big bang>>>>>>>>>>>

By: Forest

Forest — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:47:29 +0000

I love Mark’s reply too, I even asked if he would be interested in writing a guest post as I would love to know more about his lifestyle.

By: Carol@inthetrenches

Carol@inthetrenches — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:31:14 +0000

I loved the comment from Mark. The most interesting thing to me about the discussion is the element of choice. And, those choices can be made for whatever reason. When I was writing In The Trenches and contemplating the sections of the Minimum Basic Budget that’s what I was getting at. I have heard so many people say that they “need” this or that when often it is something that others would think lavish. (I have a friend who HAS to buy her undergarments at Nordstroms) I love that Mark acknowledges that this is his lifestyle choice and I’m sure people often give him blank looks. Am I right?
Carol@inthetrenches recently posted..In The Trenches – Are you grouchy today?

By: Forest

Forest — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:00:13 +0000

Hey Carol,

The Amish are true minimalists that is for sure! I think you have to decide on your form of minimalism and also why you are doing it.

Some people do it to make life easier, some people need to spend less money and others are boycotting major corporations and such things…. All are great and valid in my books .

I don’t actually think minimalism causes any laziness… was just a thought and discussion topic from before .

Although I have met minimalists that don’t cook or do much. They live very basic with in a small room apartment or serviced apartment/hotel. They buy simple food like uncooked carrots, bread products and fruit and survive on little money overall… This could be viewed as lazy in some ways but it’s just another way to focus (i think) on things that matter to them.