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

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 it’s too extreme. These are valid concerns， and it’s why we’ve 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. It’s about rediscovering your favourite hobbies and interests and engaging with people who uplift you. It’s 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 don’t throw everything out. That would be impractical. It’s 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 don’t buy new things

2．极简主义者不买新东西

I’ve 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.

我妻子和我买各种东西。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 don’t 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 it’s silly to say “it’s going to happen overnight” or “don’t 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。

We’re 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。

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

我们发现，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 you’ve 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。

It’s 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 isn’t about numbers. It’s 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 you’re 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. It’s 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 doesn’t mean we need to keep the material things that give us that memory. Those emotions live within us， and that’s something that the loss of an item can’t 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 it’s just some phase that we’ll eventually get over.