Misconceptions arise when people don't understand what you are doing or why you are doing some things. They assume different things, and people can be naughty with their misconceptions about your lifestyle. The minimalist lifestyle has so many misconceptions because there are so many people who don't know the purpose and impact of embracing such a lifestyle. It's good when a person is open-minded about their misconceptions; they can get convinced after hearing you out, but there are people who are so rigid that even when they see the truth, they still choose to not only harbor but also to promote their misconceptions about the minimalist lifestyle.
One of the rampant misconceptions surrounding the minimalism lifestyle is deprivation. It is very funny when a friend or family member tells me to stop punishing myself and enjoy my life. Whenever I ask what brought about the advice, it's either because I'm purchasing thrift wear or I choose to do something differently from everyone else's way.
My image
I have a friend's wedding to attend on the 10th of August, and there is special attire and headgear chosen for the wedding. I agreed to buy the attire but not the headgear because I have that particular color at home, but the prints on it are different.
My friends questioned my decision, and I insisted that it's going to be a waste buying the same color when I can use the previous one. One of them bought two and gave one, thinking I didn't have the money but didn't want to tell them. I returned it, and that's when she realized that I didn't want the headgear.
Bee, you have become very stingy. Better spend your money here because they don't spend money in heaven. I don't understand why you are depriving yourself of something good. These are the comments I get when I choose to do things according to the minimalist values.
I have tried explaining to correct their misconception, but they won't listen, so now I just tell them that I don't have money. There are some of my friends that even target the month before bringing up suggestions of buying something just because they know that as a corper, the government pays me at the end of the month, and when I still claim that there's no money, they start grumbling.
My image
While people think it's deprivation, I remind myself that it's just me prioritizing the things that actually matter. The clothes and headgear won't be in my possession forever; investing heavily in these things doesn't add value to my life. There are more important things I can do with my money than buy things I don't need.
I don't blame them for behaving that way because it was something we used to do together, but not anymore because I know better. I have tried cutting connections with some of these friends, but they always come back, so I just do whatever I want, not caring how they will react.
Minimalism is about intentional living that requires being disciplined. Without discipline, it's easier to believe that minimalism truly means deprivation, but that's not it. I love the part about cutting costs because it helps me save, keep my space free of clutter, and my environment also benefits from me reusing items.
