Here are some common questions or objections we receive.

Isn’t Greenimalist living extremely inconvenient?

Actually, Greenimalist living can be extremely convenient. By living a minimalist life, I spend much less money than a typical consumer does. This lets me work less, freeing up two very precious assets: time and freedom. I can find more time to spend with family and friends, more time to just relax, and more time for important volunteer work.

Most possessions contribute to a false sense of convenience. We buy stuff because we think they will be useful, not because they truly are. Whenever we don’t need something, it becomes junk, no matter how useful it could be. Even when we make ‘sensible’ purchases, like buying a car or a house, we usually buy more than we need. Remember, true convenience is having more freedom.

One person won’t make a difference, so there’s no point in trying.

I’m not out to change the world. I’m just trying to be responsible.

Being Greenimalist helps me love my neighbor as myself (1). Humans need healthy ecosystems to provide them with real food, clean air, pure water, and liveable spaces. Materialism, however, is driving the destruction of the environment and the communities that depend on them. As a Greenimalist, I don’t want to support a habit of consumption that is hurting the planet, and I don’t want to purchase from businesses that exploit people for the sake of earning greater profits.

Don’t you have to make lots of sacrifices?

It depends entirely on your attitude. If your life is defined by the number of possessions you own, if you live life day-to-day just to buy more stuff, then yes, Greenimalist living is a real drag.

As for me, I think that happiness in life is not just about owning possessions. I don’t need new electronics, cars, or houses to make me happy. There are more important things in life, like people and God. I hope someday you’ll agree, too.

This lifestyle is too expensive.

Our goal is to save you money, not ask you to spend more. The simplest way to save money is to be minimalist and shop less.

I design our Greenimalist budget so that anyone earning the minimum wage can make it work. For example, we buy healthy, organic food at less than the cost of a hamburger value meal.

This won’t work in the real world.

I’m a real human being just like you, and I’ve been a Greenimalist for 6 months now. From my experience, you can definitely apply a few tactics to your own daily life, no matter where you live or what you earn. For example, all of us can commit to shopping less.

I’m not ready to make the leap.

That’s OK. We took it slow, too. Keep checking our blog and take little steps each day.

I like driving to fast food restaurants.

Greenimalist living is much healthier for your mind and body. You can exercise by bicycling or running instead of driving. It’s also better to eat minimalist food, which is pure food stripped of plastic, pesticides, and additives which harm your body and the environment.

God created the natural world in all its splendor; it’s much wiser to follow His pattern instead of resisting it. Since I became a Greenimalist, I’ve found it easier to stay in shape and be healthy.

Got an objection we didn’t cover? Write to us!

1 When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40, ESV)