Summary

The article emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to minimalism, and it should not become a rigid set of rules that detracts from the joy and individuality of one's life.

Abstract

The author of the article, who has been influenced by Joshua Becker's philosophy of minimalism, cautions against the dogmatic approach of "minimalist legalists" who impose strict standards on what it means to live minimally. These purists often criticize newcomers for not adhering to arbitrary minimalist rules, such as not owning a coffee table or having more than a certain number of books. The author argues that minimalism is a personal journey and that each individual's version of simplicity will vary. The main goal of minimalism should be to reduce stress and make room for what truly matters to each person, rather than adhering to a set of prescribed rules. The article also debunks the myth that Marie Kondo advocates for owning only 30 books, clarifying that her method is about keeping items that spark joy. Ultimately, the author concludes that simplifying one's life is not a competition and should focus on personal fulfillment and sustainable living rather than external validation or appearances.

Opinions

The author disagrees with the overly strict and judgmental attitudes of some minimalists who enforce minimalism as a set of rigid rules.
Minimalism should be a flexible and personal journey that brings joy and reduces stress, not a source of stress itself.
There is a criticism of the minimalist purists who nitpick and set arbitrary standards, which can discourage newcomers to the lifestyle.
The author believes that minimalism is not about the absence of things but about surrounding oneself with items that bring genuine happiness and serve a purpose.
The article suggests that the true essence of minimalism lies in living sustainably, avoiding stress, and achieving soul simplicity, rather than focusing on the aesthetics of one's home.
The author values personal expression and comfort, as seen in their appreciation for items like throw pillows, plants, and books, which might not align with the strictest interpretations of minimalism.
The piece encourages readers to define minimalism for themselves and not to compare their version of simplicity with others.

Stop Being a Minimalist Legalist

There’s no wrong way to live a minimalist lifestyle

Without grace, minimalism becomes another metric for perfection. — Erin Loechner, Chasing Slow

I learned from Joshua Becker that if I wanted to create a life that mattered, I first had to get rid of all the stuff that didn’t. The stuff he refers to includes what we can see and what we can’t, but it’s usually easiest and most obvious to start with the clutter in your physical environment.

When you first start on the journey toward a simpler, more sustainable life, you’ll probably want or need some help. Short of hiring Marie Kondo to help you find joy, or an organizational expert to come to your home, Facebook groups offer a good support system with experienced minimalists, so that’s a good place to start.

I joined one of the biggest groups on Facebook and initially found some good tips. But, I left that group after a while because of the over-zealous minimalist legalists.

As newbies would share their newly downsized or organized spaces, the purists would criticize them for crimes committed against minimalism — throw pillows on the sofa and magazines on the coffee table! — how dare you call yourself a minimalist? And, by the way, why do you even have a coffee table?

Real minimalists don’t have coffee tables.

It became obvious to me that minimalism comes on a continuum — your simple is not my simple, so comparing is foolish. Minimalism is also a journey. Nobody goes from cluttered to austere overnight.

But the purists — or as I refer to them, the legalists — were really stealing the joy from us newbies. Decluttered was never decluttered enough for them and they were setting standards of minimalism that were basically arbitrary.

Is there a minimalists’ bible out there somewhere? Where did they get these rules?

I don’t like to call myself a minimalist because I don’t want friends imagining my home stark white devoid of any personality — it’s really more like a cross between Better Homes and Gardens and Real Simple. And yes, I do subscribe to magazines now and again, and even allow a small pile of them to accumulate on the forbidden coffee table.

I also like plants — the messy ferns and gangly spider plants — not just succulents that stay nice and tidy in their white containers.

Legalist minimalists only have succulents for houseplants. Photo by Beatriz Moraes on Unsplash

I appreciate some pops of color and patterns, and yes — please don’t tell the minimalist police — but I love throw pillows!

I felt sad for the members of the group who would post something in an apologetic fashion, almost as if they were asking permission to style or organize their space:

Dear minimalists, is it okay if I have more than four dinner plates? How many televisions am I allowed to have? Should I keep the love letters from my husband?

The main point of simplifying one’s life is to clear out the stress. Fretting over whether I should keep my mom’s vintage Pyrex bowls or the journals I’ve accumulated over the years is not life-giving — it’s the opposite and nobody’s got time for nitpicking every detail of their lives.

Some of the legalists even started a nasty rumor that Marie Kondo said you can only keep 30 books in your home.

What Marie Kondo teaches is that you should only keep what brings you joy. Many book lovers swear that all their books bring them joy, but it’s simply not true. They’re just afraid to let their books go.

For die-hard book lovers, 30 books may be impossible, but when they part with other clutter they’ll find space for 50 or maybe 60 books.

How to Marie Kondo Your Books

And make sure they go to a good home

medium.com

What I’ve learned about simplifying over the years

It’s a journey. You cannot let go of everything at once. It takes time to thoughtfully weed through a lifetime of accumulation.
It’s not a competition. Nobody’s handing out minimalist medals and a key concept of minimalism is to not try to keep up with the Joneses — whether they are consumer-driven and materialistic or part of the less-is-more mindset.
Your simple ain’t my simple. I would not be happy in a white house without books, magazines, throw pillows, or plants. And I like my mom’s old aprons too.
Marie Kondo’s method really works! We think we have curated and culled our closets and drawers but there is something powerful about touching each piece of clothing and letting it spark joy. Try it!
You never arrive. Each move or downsizing initiative brings a chance to reevaluate: do I really want to keep lugging that box of trophies around? Even with a commitment to shop less, we end up with stuff that accumulates. Seasonal cleaning out helps keep clutter under control.
It’s a lifestyle. Simplifying for me is more about avoiding stress, being sensitive to the planet, living sustainably, and soul simplicity. If you make it about things and the way your house looks, you’ve lost the message.

In Summary

There is no wrong or right way to simplify your life. What matters is that you figure out what is important to you and then curate your life so you have the time for those things.

Tips for a successful downsizing. Now is a great time to declutter!