Why would somebody label a minimalist as lazy?

Question

I consider myself a minimalist and anti-materialist. I don't have pictures on my wall. My kitchen counters are spotless and only contain those items which I use daily. My bathroom is the same way - no vases containing fake flowers or bowls filled with potpouri.

I have very few decorations in my home aside from healthy plants (I throw them away if they are sickly), some vases which I fill with fresh cut flowers from my own yard, and a bowl of colorful fruit. I have minimal furniture - I'd rather have a few very high quality items instead of a lot of crap.

But I have heard that some people consider minimalists lazy and I'm not sure why. I just feel more peaceful with fewer things.

I have a life, thank you very much.

Answer 1

Well if minimalist is within the scope of your definition, then I don’t see why others would label a minimalist as being lazy. Some people need a lot of crap so that they can define themselves through buying lots of unneeded junk, like a mirror in the living room. Your right, quality over quantity is not lazy but sort of smart, in that, it shouldn’t take a lot of crap to explain oneself but a little quality, placed in the right places…

Answer 2

Uh, first, ignore Ari's answer. A lazy person is someone who does as little as possible. In terms of style, minimalist "describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features" by definition, which describes your style exactly. It refers to anything bare or stripped of anything but the essentials, which you have followed inadvertently to the letter. The funny thing I find is your avatar has a Japanese theme, and it has been said that minimalistic design is derived from Japanese traditional design and architecture. Those who call you lazy are simply too lazy to know what they're talking about. Enjoy your clean counters.

Answer 3

That's not minimalist. A minimalist is somebody that does as little as possible. You can't have a spotless kitchen counter if you're a minimalist. So, minimalists are lazy (in my opinion) but you aren't a minimalist.

Answer 4

get a life