Another wise post. I have been suspicious of minimalism for a long time. It's far too close to "you'll own nothing and be happy" for my comfort. I think it is one more way the elites try to disconnect us from tradition and inheritance.
I have run up against a wall on this numerous times. I live in a house imagined for 4-5 people max, and we have 11 living here currently. We make it work but I'm always drawn to the idea of minimalism in theory because there is a lot to "curate", and I get overwhelmed. However, I find this minimalism thing to be on the same level as Dave Ramsey money strategy (which I am not against, btw), because it works best with less people!
My observation is that there is a difference between de-cluttering and curating what one has -- and simply organizing -- and *minimalizing* which has the goal of eliminating anything that is not necessary in a really utilitarian way.
You are right that with a lot of people, that is not going to be easy! I just don't think it's a goal even for a few people. I don't know how you can create without a stock of random stuff that yes, you might "need for later" i.e. you don't have a use for it NOW.
Dave Ramsey thinks you shouldn't have a child if you are in debt. Minimalists seem also to think that other people are a problem! If you only have plates, cups, and forks for the exact number of people living there, how will you have friends over? Will you just get out the plastic? But where are you keeping the plastic...
One simply needs a balance, and to be careful not to see the people as what must be minimized.
Another wise post. I have been suspicious of minimalism for a long time. It's far too close to "you'll own nothing and be happy" for my comfort. I think it is one more way the elites try to disconnect us from tradition and inheritance.
I have run up against a wall on this numerous times. I live in a house imagined for 4-5 people max, and we have 11 living here currently. We make it work but I'm always drawn to the idea of minimalism in theory because there is a lot to "curate", and I get overwhelmed. However, I find this minimalism thing to be on the same level as Dave Ramsey money strategy (which I am not against, btw), because it works best with less people!
My observation is that there is a difference between de-cluttering and curating what one has -- and simply organizing -- and *minimalizing* which has the goal of eliminating anything that is not necessary in a really utilitarian way.
You are right that with a lot of people, that is not going to be easy! I just don't think it's a goal even for a few people. I don't know how you can create without a stock of random stuff that yes, you might "need for later" i.e. you don't have a use for it NOW.
Dave Ramsey thinks you shouldn't have a child if you are in debt. Minimalists seem also to think that other people are a problem! If you only have plates, cups, and forks for the exact number of people living there, how will you have friends over? Will you just get out the plastic? But where are you keeping the plastic...
One simply needs a balance, and to be careful not to see the people as what must be minimized.