Let’s just get this out of the way from the beginning. There are some aspects which appeal to me but unless something within me does a major shift, I’ll never be a minimalist.
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Minimalism ~ A Definition
While the dictionary definition of minimalism refers to a trend or movement related to music and art, the current popular use of the word is different. Minimalism is a lifestyle in which excess is avoided, clutter is eliminated and an effort is made to live simply.
The Minimalism Trend
The interest in minimalism is growing by leaps and bounds. There are countless books, magazines, blogs and articles devoted to this trend. While it may seem like a relatively new fad, there have always been those who embraced this philosophy, Thoreau being an obvious example. Still, in terms of widespread appeal, minimalism is a fairly recent phenomenon.
My Thoughts
I’ll be the first to admit that there are indeed aspects of the current minimalism trend which do appeal to me. I have a fairly strong anti-consumerism streak and I honestly don’t get a big thrill out of shopping (except for books). I am generally a pretty contented person and don’t need a lot of “stuff” to be happy. I like a relatively tidy home and I despise not being able to find things. I also like the idea of an easily cleaned and maintained home.
On the other hand, when it comes right down to it, I simply do not like minimalist spaces. They feel cold and austere to me. And a little boring.
I’m sure part of it has to do with the homes I grew up in. My mom is about as far from a minimalist as you can get without crossing the line into hoader-land. Every flat surface in my parents’ home is liberally decorated (no doubt why I grew up hating to dust). The other homes in which I spent a lot of time tended to be rather “full”, too. So I suppose that is partly responsible for my distaste for sparsely decorated spaces – they just feel foreign to me. Or like a hotel room.
And then there’s my penchant for reading cosy, homey British novels with their descriptions of crackling fires, tea kettles whistling on Aga stoves, chintz-covered sofas and chairs, books stacked on tables, and “wellies” in a row by the door.
While I do like a tidy home, I also like a home which feels warm, cosy and comfortable. There’s a difference between “littered” and “lived in”.
Littered: Dirty socks on the floor, a sink full of dirty dishes, piles of items which belong elsewhere.
Lived in: A couple of books sitting next to a favorite chair, a puzzle in progress on a table, a letter on the entry table that needs to be mailed, sheet music open on the piano, a warm afghan draped over the arm of a chair or sofa.
I love lots of artwork on my walls, stacks of books, plants, candles, fresh flowers, cosy afghans on every chair or sofa, and most of all…evidence that life is being lived in my home. And that is why I’ll never truly embrace minimalism.
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What about you? Are you a minimalist or want to be? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Here are some resources you might find interesting:
Books About Minimalism
I have a copy of this which I bought and read many, many years ago. It does have a lot of helpful information and ideas.
I haven’t read this one but it kept popping up on “best books about minimalism” lists.
This one happens to be one of the October LWD book club selections which you may find surprising consider my stance on minimalism. However, my understanding is that this book deals more with a simplified approach to productivity rather than just suggesting you get rid of everything you own. I haven’t read it yet but after I do I’ll probably write a review about it.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Is there anyone left who hasn’t read this one? This is the book which has launched minimalism into pop culture status. Personally, it didn’t do much for me so I gave away my copy. It simply did not resonate with me on any level.
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…” Even though minimalism isn’t my thing I’ll have to admit that Walden DOES speak to me. Simplicity, time alone, nature…
Blogs About Minimalism
Video
For a look at extreme minimalism check out this video:
Articles about Minimalism
Is Minimalism Just Another Trend?
10 Reasons Why Minimalism is Growing
Why Millennials are Trending Toward Minimalism
Other Views
The Oppressive Gospel of ‘Minimalism’
Top Designers Debate Minimalism vs. Maximalism
I agree with you…mostly. My wish is to bensure surrounded by things I love and that mean something to me. All that stuff sitting around my house is there because it means something to me. I have been going through what I call The Purge. Mom and Grandma’s China they got for wedding gifts…gave it to my cousin in TX that has a restaurant, hosts teas and caters weddings and events. The craft stuff I bought over the years…most of it given to a niece that crafts. I’m getting rid of things that take up space because I bought it with good intentions and never did anything with it. I’m getting rid of STUFF and it feels good.
I really do want to purge some things. We’ve been married over 35 years and are coming up on 19 years in this house. We could definitely use a good purge. But I’ll never want to live in an empty house. Like you, I want to be surrounded by things I love.
I hate shopping for anything other than books and pet supplies. I don’t need “stuff” to be happy. Unless books count, of course. But some of the stuff makes the difference between a house and a home. A minimalist room reminds me of hospital rooms, freshly cleaned and ready for the next patient. Every time I’ve had to go in to hospital, I couldn’t wait to do something to claim the space as my own and give it some life, even when I was little. I understand some of the atraction of the lifestyle, but I feel a house needs to feel lived in in order for you to feel at home. Plus, I like that you can tell a lot about the people who have claimed the space by the kinds of things in it, which is something you wouldn’t be able to do if there was no evidence of the space, or room, or whatever, being lived in.
Yes! I agree completely. I haven’t spent much time in hospitals but I do the same thing in hotels. I just have to make my space feel like home. And I love to go to people’s homes where their space is a reflection of them.
Like you, I love to be surrounded by things I love…books, beautiful art, vintage items that have caught my eye while thrifting, cozy throws, etc. But yet I don’t like clutter, so I’m also tweaking things to make sure nothing looks too crowded or overdone. We’ve been in this house 26 years and our basement was starting to collect way too much stuff. We’ve gotten rid of a lot. We still have a lot of work to do though.
We really do have a lot of excess I need to get rid of and I do want to do that. But for the most part it’s stored neatly away. We have a lot of storage space in this house which is both a blessing and a curse. I’m hoping for a bit of a break from all the music events this winter and would like to spend some of that time sorting through closets.
I’m a real minimalist when it comes to packing suitcases, making meals, putting on make-up, and decorating my house for holidays. Like you, I like a tidy, organized house where I can put my hands on anything I need inside of 5 minutes (this includes the garage). I got a lot of good ideas from the Marie Kondo method, which was not so much about getting rid of things, but more about keeping only the things you love and that work well for you. That was a helpful insight and I got rid of things that were just taking up valuable real estate. I consider myself a minimalist in that I don’t have clutter and I don’t shop for entertainment. But I do have special items on my mantel, I have collections of things I love and use, and my home looks like a loved and lived-in home and not like a hotel. I have Don Aslet’s book Clutter’s Last Stand and re-visit it every year or so. He is hilarious and has good ideas I can always use! But my idea of home decor is like yours — cozy English novel style, especially from the books of Rosamund Pilcher!
Rosamunde Pilcher is the best! Which of her books are your favorites? Have you read her short stories?
Thoreau cracks me up. His cabin was a half mile from town ? I like to live ‘unlittered’ and now that our nest is empty it’s much easier to do that. I don’t exactly like clutter, and I’ve gotten rid of a lot of it over the years. But I’m definitely not a minimalist.
Yes, kids do complicate the clutter issue. Mine are grown, too. On the other hand, I still have two closets full of things that belong to my married daughter. They recently bought their first house so I’m hoping to start clearing those out.
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