Eight Misconceptions of a Minimalist Lifestyle对极简生活的八个误解

王晓元/译

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.

虽然遵从“小”与摆脱“更多病毒”听来很棒，但许多人对极简生活方式依然持疑。一些人认为极简主义是一种怪异的宗教狂热，另一些人则认为其过于极端。这些担忧都有道理，因此我们这里整理出一些对极简生活的常见误解，希望有助于释疑解惑。

1. Minimalism means throwing eve-rything out

1．极简即什么都扔掉

Nothing is gained by throwing eve-rything out.

什么都扔掉，只会什么也得不到。

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.

极简更多的是了解什么对自己重要，而不是将自己的生活一股脑扔进垃圾箱；是重新发现自己的爱好与兴趣，与能提升自己的人交往；是放弃那些给自己带来压力的东西。

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.

极简主义者并不是什么都扔掉。这不切实际。产生这么多垃圾，也不环保。你知道我们能把什么扔进垃圾箱？你不知道。

2. Minimalists dont buy new things

2．极简主义者不买新东西

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

我是多年的极简主义者，但我依然买新东西，买二手货。

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.

我妻子和我買各种东西。但对极简主义者来说，这个购买过程的不同之处在于，我们一般是替换已有的东西，而不是添加东西。

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

而你知道吗？有时候，我们确实购买能让自己快乐的新东西。我们不做的事情是，不仔细考虑便冲动购买。

3. Minimalism happens overnight… or must take time

3．极简主义要么一夜实现……要么花时间适应

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.”

接受极简主义因人而异。没有两个人会以相同的方式看待极简主义，因此，说“极简主义一夜实现”或“不要吓着——慢慢来”，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.

我们大家各不相同。我们需要走出自己那条通往极简生活方式的路。我们也需要时间来适应一种新的生活方式，而这个时间或长或短，依自身情况而定。

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

我們发现，极简主义体验中最为令人兴奋的，正是逐渐从散乱无章、应接不暇、毫无秩序转向通透顺畅、目标明确的生活。

4. Minimalism is a number

4．极简是一个数字

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，极端的极简主义者东西不超50件、睡觉就在地板上。受这种趋势的影响，人们觉得极简主义就是一个数字。谁东西最少，谁就赢了。

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

这是一个社群内部的比赛。有时候，人们会因自己东西太多而感到羞耻。

This needs to stop.

这种情况不能再继续下去了。

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

极简主义无关数字。它关乎什么能使你富有成效并感到快乐。即便你拥有的东西超过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.

同样，你对极简生活方式的态度取决于你的性格。有些人受数字的驱使，有些人则受审美或某种感觉的触动。

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.

只要确信自己拥有的是基本必需品（确实是说实话），能带给你满足感，那你对极简的理解就没跑偏。

5. Minimalists are emotionless robots

5．极简主义者是没有感情的机器人

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.

从外人的角度看，极简主义者能轻易将自己生活中有纪念意义的东西扔掉，可能显得有点冷漠。正因如此，极简主义者被人视为超然或无情。

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

然而，我认识的大多数极简主义者都是多愁善感的。我们只是通过照片和日记而不是有形的纪念品来保留回忆。

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.

珍藏一段回忆并不意味着必须保留引发回忆的那些实物。那些情感长存我们心中，就算少了一件东西也带不走它们。

6. A minimalist lifestyle is unsustainable

6．极简生活方式不可持续

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

一些人认为极简主义是暂时的，无法持续。它就像我们终会跨过的一个阶段。

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

极简主义是一个观念，不是一种技巧。如果你把它当作一种技巧，那它的意义就不足以持续。

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，如果你感受到了极简主义的益处，那么，你与谁一起生活、你的工作环境、生儿育女、从一个城市搬到另一个城市——这些就都不重要了；那些原则会与你同在。

7. Minimalists have no style

7．极简主义者没有格调

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.

从文化上讲，我们常常将格调与拥有更多选择、生活方式更加奢华夸张相联系。如果这些东西对你很重要，那作为一个极简主义者，你也没必要放弃这种生活方式。

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.

虽然极简主义的美学确实专注于简单，但这并不意味着大家都应如此。只要你拥有的每一件东西都有明确的目的，那就为之疯狂吧。

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.

我发现，极简主义者有一个共同的特点，那就是不赶时髦或追随家装潮流。他们对主流推荐无动于衷，而是专注于价值永恒的物件。

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.

有人说极简主义者没有格调，他们其实是在说，没有看到自己认可并能立即与之产生共鸣的格调。

8. Minimalism is about deprivation

8．极简主义是在剥夺

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.

在评价极简生活方式的真正价值时，我认为我们大家都搞错了。极简主义专家们长期以来宣扬的是，极简主义是一种让自己要得更少、做得更少的方式。

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

而在我们看来，极简主义是一种让自己要得更多、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.

這种范式产生于我们与“成为极简主义者”网站的乔舒亚·贝克尔的一次交谈。通过减少日程安排、各种活动、有害关系和物品，我们让自己的能力得以释放——去梦想、去嬉戏、去为他人服务。

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.

我们创造留白，用以思考自己对生活的需求。更为重要的是，我们腾出了碎片时间，可以行动起来。最终，极简主义关乎的是增加，而不是减少。