Minimalism: Inspirational or Dangerous?

(Spoiler alert – I’m about to recommend that you read books about minimalism, AND I’m going to warn you about the dangers of reading about minimalism. You’re welcome.)

Minimalism traditionally meant that you kept only the bare minimum number of objects that you needed.  Think – five people in the house, so you only need five plates.  

But that definition has, for many authors, adapted to be more in line with the famous William Morris quote: 

“Have nothing in your home
that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful.”

William Morris

So why am I recommending that you read books about minimalism?

Because unlike books about organizing, that really treat decluttering as the “easy first step” (don’t get me started) – 

Books about minimalism are truly about decluttering.  About choosing what to keep, not just what to discard.  

Minimalism at its core is really about becoming clear about your priorities and making sure what you keep is in line with that vision. 

Which is why, when people ask me for recommendations of books to read, podcasts to listen to, etc., I often recommend books about minimalism, rather than books about organizing.   

But I recommend these books with a caveat –
While they contain tons of inspiration about how to declutter, this perspective can come at a cost.  

 1. They introduce a whole new set of “rules.”

Facebook groups about minimalism are filled with questions like, “There are five of us – how many towels do you think it’s okay to keep?”

Amazing humans: it never was nor ever will be about the towels.

There is no universally correct number of towels to own.  Just be intentional, consider what makes sense for your current lifestyle, and you’ll know what’s right for you.  

2. The minimalism world has mastered the art of shaming.

I have zero tolerance for authors who shame readers for having too much stuff.

Organizing books do this, too, but I feel that books promoting minimalism take it to a whole new level.  

I could do a whole talk about this, but I’ll leave it here:

Read/listen to resources about minimalism for the decluttering inspiration, and don’t believe those resources when they suggest you are somehow less because you own more.

You are an amazing person, and how much you own does not define you.

I will now exit Stage Left.

(You can find books I recommend – sometimes with caveats – here.)