Minimalism Doesn't Work
It’s a generally accepted fact that western society has been over-consuming for quite some time. The planet has had enough of our habits, and a lot of people have become fed up with clutter on a personal level. Movements like tiny homes and books like The Magic Art of Tidying Up have lured overwhelmed individuals to bid farewell to over-stuffed closets and only retain things that truly spark joy.
But, there are some sneaky ways that consumerism can disguise itself as minimalism, and while our homes may be clutter-free, we can continue to consume at a problematic rate without realizing it. Here are a few ways decluttering might actually be enabling our consumption:
It’s SO easy to get rid of our STUFF
Sometimes I think the best way to put the brakes on western greed would be to halt the trash pickup and temporarily close donation centers so that citizens would have to face and think about the amount of waste we generate. We sweep our mess under the rug of faraway landfills and can blissfully live in an out-of-sight-out-of-mind relationship with our waste.
“One in, one out”
I’ve seen this idea spread far and wide across the web, usually regarding closets, and the idea is that every time you buy something, you need to get rid of something else. This concept can really just lead to continual accumulation and tossing out without feeling the toll of how much you’re consuming.
purging itself Sparks Joy
There’s often an endorphin rush that comes with getting rid of unwanted items. For me, it’s similar to the thrill that accompanies shopping. When we’re in a privileged place to purchase and purge often, we can get the “high” both when we buy new things and when we get rid of them a year later. Win-win for us, lose-lose for the planet.
There’s a big difference between looking like a minimalist aesthetically and actually cutting back on consumption.
These days, there are more brands than ever offering modern, edgy, colorful, diverse options in ethical/sustainable fashion, and yet, my casual observation is that the influencer space continues to be dominated by minimalist fashion. Ironically, a lot of fashion bloggers who have “minimal style” frequently acquire new gifted items from brands, but because they regularly purge their wardrobes, they still identify as minimalists and promote the idea of “fewer better things.” It’s really easy to have few things when you have the luxury of swapping out those things for newer options often. (Now, I realize I may sound harsh, but please know that I’m tackling this with bluntness because I have been that very blogger for years, and it’s one of the reasons I recently changed course.)
I have watched minimalists become so focused on the aesthetic of minimalism that they purchase and purge in an endless cycle. I also know some very sustainable-minded friends who consume far less than those minimalists. They rarely purchase new things, but they also rarely get rid of the little treasures they’ve gathered throughout life. Their homes are full of art and memories and unique fabrics, and yes, sometimes a bit of a mess.
At first glance, it would be easy to make a snap judgement about which of those people are consuming less and be quite wrong.
If you find yourself feeling pressured into a minimal wardrobe because it’s so closely associated with sustainability, please know that the numerical count of items in your closet has absolutely zero reflection on the choices you’re making to be more mindful in caring for our planet. If you have the physical and mental space for it, hang onto what you have, care for it, mend it, enjoy it.
Just because your closet is full or colorful doesn’t mean you’re a reckless consumer.
Just because your closet is trim and neutral doesn’t mean you’re consuming any less than your pattern-loving pals.
I’ve become convinced that the antidote for consumerism is not minimalism, but contentment. Contentment looks different from lifestyle to lifestyle and leaves room for personal expression. Sustainability is certainly not restricted to a single aesthetic, nor should people be.