Minimalism has become somewhat of a fad in recent years, right alongside the tiny-house movement and the push for eco-friendly living. It’s not difficult to see why. Materialism (the opposite of minimalism) is a vicious cycle. You have to work more to buy more, and the more you buy, the more you need. (Who actually owns an iPhone with no accessories? I mean, seriously!) And the more you need, the more money you have to make.
Minimalism breaks this cycle.
But why minimalism for Christian teens? Isn’t that just a secular fad?
In my last post, Why Christian Teens Should Embrace Minimalism, I go into more detail about how breaking free of materialism clears the path for better serving God. It’s not about self-idolatry—the superiority that often comes with assuming a cleaner lifestyle.
It’s about removing the obstacles that prevent you from glorifying God with your life.
So let’s get down to practical matters: how to embrace minimalism as a Christian.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
What Minimalism is NOT
The danger of minimalism is in assuming it’s a superior lifestyle. Yes, there are major benefits to decluttering your life and breaking free from the bonds of material things. It’s a means to a greater good, but minimalism itself is not the greater good.
Do not make the mistake of turning minimalism into another form of idolatry! The only superior lifestyle is holiness, and that can happen regardless of how much stuff you have.
It’s just a little easier when you’re not distracted by stuff. 🙂
A few points to keep in mind when it comes to minimalism for Christian teens:
- It’s about more than just cleaning out your bedroom.
- It’s not about getting rid of everything you own and living out of a suitcase.
- It’s not all or nothing. There are varying degrees of minimalism, and embracing any level will benefit you greatly.
Make Room For Jesus: 4 Steps to Minimalism For Christian Teens
1) Focus on the Real Treasure
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…”
Philippians 3:8
If you had all the money in the world to buy all the stuff you wanted, it would never fill you up. Looking to material possessions for lasting joy is like trying to fill a pail with holes in it. It will never be full. That’s because nobody is complete simply by having more stuff. The only one who can complete you is Christ. Keeping your eye on the real prize will help the other things fade away.
Think of focusing a camera on a central object, where the background becomes blurry but the subject comes into sharp view. Make Jesus the subject of your focus. (See A Rare Treasure: Discover True Christian Joy.)
2) Put up Safeguards
To fully embrace a minimalist life, you have to stop bringing more stuff into it. Guard yourself against areas of temptation. If shopping has always been a favorite pastime for you and your friends, now is the time to find new activities to do together. Go hiking, do arts and crafts (with supplies you already have), make music, serve in your community. If you shop, you will buy.
Minimalism is a means to a greater good, but minimalism itself is not the greater good.
So don’t shop.
Likewise, be careful of hanging out with people who live a life of stuff, always carrying the latest generation of smartphone, wearing the latest jeans, and using the latest equipment. You want to be happy with what you have and that’s easier to do when you’re not constantly comparing what you have to what someone else has.
3) Make Wiser Purchases
One wise purchase is better than ten bad ones. Choose quality over quantity. If you need a new pair of shoes, save up for quality ones that will last longer, and look for multipurpose. If that sweater will only go with one of your skirts, it’s probably not the smartest buy.
Everything you buy should be both useful and necessary.
Caution: This doesn’t necessarily mean you should get rid of everything you have and buy all new stuff in the name of multipurpose-ness. It could mean taking a closer look at the things you have and finding new ways to use them that you never thought of before.
4) Do the Big Clean Out
I don’t start with this step because it won’t matter how much you haul out of your bedroom if you haven’t kicked the habit of bringing more in. But once you’ve fixed your focus and taken control of your shopping habits, the next step is to purge your life of the excess. For some, this is a long and painful process, one that may require lots of prayer and support from friends and family. But as you take an honest look at what you already own and start to lighten the load, you will begin to make more room for Christ to fill you with the joy that will never come from earthly things.
Helpful Resources to Get You Started on Your Decluttering Adventure
- 10 Creative Decluttering Tips
- A Biblical Perspective on Decluttering
- 4 Ways to Cut Clutter In Your Bedroom
One Final Note on Minimalism For Christian Teens
Simply reducing the amount of stuff in your life will not bring you lasting joy. Your soul is not a vacuum. If you remove something from it, you need to fill that space with something else or that space will eventually fill itself—usually with something equally unhealthy. That is why step one, setting your focus on Christ, is so important.
Do not skip this step!
Let Jesus—not material things—be the greatest source of joy in your life!
More on Filling Your Life With Jesus
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