Eight Misconceptions of a Minimalist Lifestyle對極簡生活的八個誤解

王曉元/譯

While going small and breaking out of “The More Virus” sounds terrific， many of us still doubt a minimalist lifestyle. Some folks believe minimalism is a weird religious cult， while others think its too extreme. These are valid concerns， and its why weve put together a list of common misconceptions of minimalism to help put your mind at ease.

雖然遵從“小”與擺脫“更多病毒”聽來很棒，但許多人對極簡生活方式依然持疑。一些人認為極簡主義是一種怪異的宗教狂熱，另一些人則認為其過于極端。這些擔憂都有道理，因此我們這里整理出一些對極簡生活的常見誤解，希望有助于釋疑解惑。

1. Minimalism means throwing eve-rything out

1．極簡即什么都扔掉

Nothing is gained by throwing eve-rything out.

什么都扔掉，只會什么也得不到。

Minimalism is more about learning what matters to you than just chucking1 your life into the trash. Its about rediscovering your favourite hobbies and interests and engaging with people who uplift you. Its about letting go of things that bring you stress.

極簡更多的是了解什么對自己重要，而不是將自己的生活一股腦扔進垃圾箱；是重新發現自己的愛好與興趣，與能提升自己的人交往；是放棄那些給自己帶來壓力的東西。

Minimalists dont throw everything out. That would be impractical. Its also not environmentally friendly to generate so much waste. Do you know what we can throw into the bin？ This myth.

極簡主義者并不是什么都扔掉。這不切實際。產生這么多垃圾，也不環保。你知道我們能把什么扔進垃圾箱？你不知道。

2. Minimalists dont buy new things

2．極簡主義者不買新東西

Ive been a minimalist for many years， and I still buy new and second-hand things.

我是多年的極簡主義者，但我依然買新東西，買二手貨。

My wife and I buy all sorts of things. But what makes this process different for minimalists is that we are generally replacing， not adding， stuff we already own.

我妻子和我買各種東西。但對極簡主義者來說，這個購買過程的不同之處在于，我們一般是替換已有的東西，而不是添加東西。

And you know what？ Sometimes we do buy new things that make us happy. What we dont do is buy impulsively without careful consideration.

而你知道嗎？有時候，我們確實購買能讓自己快樂的新東西。我們不做的事情是，不仔細考慮便沖動購買。

3. Minimalism happens overnight… or must take time

3．極簡主義要么一夜實現……要么花時間適應

Minimalism occurs differently for everyone. No two people will approach it the same way， so its silly to say “its going to happen overnight” or “dont shock your system—take it slow.”

接受極簡主義因人而異。沒有兩個人會以相同的方式看待極簡主義，因此，說“極簡主義一夜實現”或“不要嚇著——慢慢來”，都很傻。

Were all different. We need to forge our path to a minimalist lifestyle. We also need time to adjust to a new way of life， and that period may be longer or shorter depending on your situation.

我們大家各不相同。我們需要走出自己那條通往極簡生活方式的路。我們也需要時間來適應一種新的生活方式，而這個時間或長或短，依自身情況而定。

Weve found that the gradual transformation from scattered， overwhelmed and chaotic， to clear， purposeful living is the most exciting part of the minimalist experience.

我們發現，極簡主義體驗中最為令人興奮的，正是逐漸從散亂無章、應接不暇、毫無秩序轉向通透順暢、目標明確的生活。

4. Minimalism is a number

4．極簡是一個數字

Perhaps youve noticed extreme minimalists who own less than 50 things and sleep on the floor. This trend has contributed to the idea that minimalism is about a number. The person who owns the least amount of items wins.

大概你已注意到，極端的極簡主義者東西不超50件、睡覺就在地板上。受這種趨勢的影響，人們覺得極簡主義就是一個數字。誰東西最少，誰就贏了。

Its a competition within the community. In some cases， people are made to feel shame for owning too many things.

這是一個社群內部的比賽。有時候，人們會因自己東西太多而感到羞恥。

This needs to stop.

這種情況不能再繼續下去了。

Minimalism isnt about numbers. Its about what makes you feel productive and happy. If you own more than 100 things， so what？

極簡主義無關數字。它關乎什么能使你富有成效并感到快樂。即便你擁有的東西超過100件，那又如何？

Again， your approach to a minimalist lifestyle is dependent on your personality. Some are motivated by numbers， while others feel inspired by aesthetics or a feeling.

同樣，你對極簡生活方式的態度取決于你的性格。有些人受數字的驅使，有些人則受審美或某種感覺的觸動。

As long as youre confident that what you own is essential （be honest） and brings you fulfilment， your perspective of this mindset is working well for you.

只要確信自己擁有的是基本必需品（確實是說實話），能帶給你滿足感，那你對極簡的理解就沒跑偏。

5. Minimalists are emotionless robots

5．極簡主義者是沒有感情的機器人

From the outside looking in， it can seem a little cold how easily minimalists can discard things that were once sentimental in their lives. Its for this reason that minimalists are perceived to be detached or unemotional.

從外人的角度看，極簡主義者能輕易將自己生活中有紀念意義的東西扔掉，可能顯得有點冷漠。正因如此，極簡主義者被人視為超然或無情。

However， most minimalists I know are sentimental. We just keep memories alive through photos and journal entries rather than physical souvenirs.

然而，我認識的大多數極簡主義者都是多愁善感的。我們只是通過照片和日記而不是有形的紀念品來保留回憶。

Treasuring a memory doesnt mean we need to keep the material things that give us that memory. Those emotions live within us， and thats something that the loss of an item cant take from us.

珍藏一段回憶并不意味著必須保留引發回憶的那些實物。那些情感長存我們心中，就算少了一件東西也帶不走它們。

6. A minimalist lifestyle is unsustainable

6．極簡生活方式不可持續

Some people believe minimalism is temporary and unsustainable. Like its just some phase that well eventually get over.

一些人認為極簡主義是暫時的，無法持續。它就像我們終會跨過的一個階段。

Minimalism is a mindset， not a hack. If you treat it like a hack， it wont mean enough to keep going.

極簡主義是一個觀念，不是一種技巧。如果你把它當作一種技巧，那它的意義就不足以持續。

However， if you feel minimalisms benefits， it wont matter who you live with， your work environment， becoming a parent， moving cities; the principles will carry on with you.

然而，如果你感受到了極簡主義的益處，那么，你與誰一起生活、你的工作環境、生兒育女、從一個城市搬到另一個城市——這些就都不重要了；那些原則會與你同在。

7. Minimalists have no style

7．極簡主義者沒有格調

Culturally we often associate style with having more options， being more extravagant and flamboyant. If these things matter to you， theres no need to give that up as a minimalist.

從文化上講，我們常常將格調與擁有更多選擇、生活方式更加奢華夸張相聯系。如果這些東西對你很重要，那作為一個極簡主義者，你也沒必要放棄這種生活方式。

While its true that the minimalist aesthetic is focused on simplicity， it doesnt mean thats how everyone should be. As long as everything you possess has a clear purpose， go nuts.

雖然極簡主義的美學確實專注于簡單，但這并不意味著大家都應如此。只要你擁有的每一件東西都有明確的目的，那就為之瘋狂吧。

A common trait Ive found in minimalists is that they dont follow fashion or home decor trends. They dont react to mainstream recommendations and instead focus on timeless pieces.

我發現，極簡主義者有一個共同的特點，那就是不趕時髦或追隨家裝潮流。他們對主流推薦無動于衷，而是專注于價值永恒的物件。

When someone says that minimalists have no style， what theyre really saying is that they do not see a style they recognise and can immediately relate to.

有人說極簡主義者沒有格調，他們其實是在說，沒有看到自己認可并能立即與之產生共鳴的格調。

8. Minimalism is about deprivation

8．極簡主義是在剝奪

When assessing the real value of a minimalist lifestyle， I think we get it wrong. Minimalist experts have long preached that minimalism is an approach to want and do less.

在評價極簡生活方式的真正價值時，我認為我們大家都搞錯了。極簡主義專家們長期以來宣揚的是，極簡主義是一種讓自己要得更少、做得更少的方式。

In our view， minimalism is an approach to want and do more.

而在我們看來，極簡主義是一種讓自己要得更多、做得更多的方式。

This paradigm was sparked in a conversation we had with Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist. By paring down2 our schedules， commitments， toxic relationships， and things， we free up our capacity to dream， play and be of service.

這種范式產生于我們與“成為極簡主義者”網站的喬舒亞·貝克爾的一次交談。通過減少日程安排、各種活動、有害關系和物品，我們讓自己的能力得以釋放——去夢想、去嬉戲、去為他人服務。

We create the white space to think about what we want out of life. More importantly， we create pockets3 of time to take action. In the end， minimalism is about adding more than it is about subtraction.

我們創造留白，用以思考自己對生活的需求。更為重要的是，我們騰出了碎片時間，可以行動起來。最終，極簡主義關乎的是增加，而不是減少。