My Honest Thoughts on Minimalism | The 3-Minute Guide

The Financial Diet site:

[mariana-vieira]

This is the first time I am confused about a TFD video. Minimalism is not about “stuff”. It starts with stuff, because material things are the easiest to start the process. It then affects other parts of your life, like toxic relationships and mindless activities, like scrolling through social media without a purpose. Regarding stuff, the “rule” is to keep stuff that brings you joy. If having and using tons of kitchen appliances gives you tons of joy and makes your life a lot easier, than you are actually following the guidelines of minimalism. Collecting appliances and using them once a year, though, is not considered a minimalist approach to owning stuff.
The Minimalists have great essays and insights on all the non-material approaches to minimalism so I guess that in order to rant about something, one should research the subject a little further. TFD has a huge audience and I can’t understand how this video actually helps anyone.

[HappiestVeganonEarth]

The point of minimalism isn't to make you feel bad for owning or buying stuff. Is to invite you to reexamine what you really need and try to minimize purchases that aren't essential. Every item that is manufactured has a carbon footprint to it, and for anyone who believes in climate change, we really need to stop acquiring things as if there were no consequences to that. That doesn't mean you have to feel bad about what you do choose to purchase. Just think a bit harder before buying something, I'm not sure what you find to be judgmental about that.

[bnclalala]

How about doing a better research on the topic before posting the video?

[knucklescapricorn]

This video is odd because I thought TFD would love minimalism since it can help you be better with money. Since adapting a more minimalist lifestyle, I have not only saved a lot of money by buying more intentionally (and not impulse-buying crap I don't need), but I have also MADE money by selling stuff I already owned but wasn't using. And both those habits are things that Chelsea has advocated in her past videos!

I hate to dog-pile but I have to agree with the other comments here and say that you may need to dig a little deeper into minimalism. There may be people who are minimalists and pretentious about it but you are gonna find pretentious people in almost every and any ideological group, and that doesn't mean that a particular ideology is void of merit or "sucks".

[displeased_goblin]

Ugh, nope. You missed the point of minimalism completely. The first time I had to dislike TFD video. Next time, do your research first.

[mofetabionica]

I agree with the part that some people don't have a choice, when you live in a poor country like I do, sometimes you look at minimalist on the internet and it looks ridiculous, but I do understand that the culture in the US is a very consumerist one and it's nice that people are not contributing into that, even if it's a fad for some of them. I rather try to approach a low waste lifestyle, trying to reduce damage as much as I can. Is not perfect but I try my best, because environmentally talking, consumerism is a really big problem. It's just about having conscience for the things we have, we use and we leave behind.

[iluvchocolate]

The funny thing is, though you called this a little “rant” against minimalism, so many minimalists actually share your exact viewpoints! 😊 There are minimalists who have big families living in normal houses and minimalists who are single and own 30 things. Lots of folks also consider minimalism as a good way to recognize their privilege, pair down their things so they have more time and money to give to those in need or towards projects and initiatives that will make a difference in a cause they are passionate about. As you mentioned, there is a spectrum, and thanks for sharing your take! Always a good thing to keep the conversation going!

[wistful_necromancer]

I'm broke af and I keep staring at the ceiling like "what if I lose my home tomorrow, what if I can't afford to live here anymore, " very real concerns, and what gives me comfort is that I have STUFF. I have stuff I can bring with me, wherever life takes me; I have a reliable set of kitchenwear, three towels, shoes for several occasions, and I also have stuff to sell. I invested in my STUFF. They give me security that no matter where I end up, I will have the stuff I already own. Extreme minimalism doesn't understand this fear.

[cinthiareyes]

This video is a huge miss. Disappointed with her content, I respect her opinion, but she has not a clue what minimalism is about

[talya]

For me minimalism is:

Buying that Ann Taylor pant and top for $100 that will last long and be versatile for numerous situations instead of buying a bunch of fast fashion stuff that will start fraying and falling apart really fast, and not fit as well.

Or splurging on that Chanel eyeshadow quad for $60 that will last for about two years and still be like new with use, instead of buying a bunch of shadow palettes at Sephora, and not even using them.

For me, it’s about quality over quantity, not deprivation.

[TylerBTalking]

I’m not very familiar with minimalism, but judging from the comment section, they are very passionate about their lifestyle.

[LuminousLibro]

Minimalsim means different things to different people. You can't really lump everyone together and pass judgment on the whole idea, because the ideas of every minimalist will be different.

[kasey]

Wow! Missed the point of the minimalism of the modern movement by a large margin. I suggest more research. If this TFD's idea of a guide then they have missed the mark on the topic. I love this channel, but please learn what is really behind other topics before subjecting the audience to another rant.
Next time, make sure it isn't a strawman that you are critiquing. The whole point of the modern movement is to get rid of that which does not contribute to a better/happier life for the individual. Some people are very happy with extremely little (which is at the extreme discussed), but others are happy with a well organized home with the essentials and their beloved items and some items they find useful (such as the kitchen items). It is all about not spending your time or money housing things that provide no benefit to one's life. Some people go overboard with it when they first hear of the concept and regret it later, but they didn't grasp the concept fully and went by the strawman idea of minimalism.

[TyLee]

Wow first time I realised that even TFD sometimes fucks up really bad in understanding basic concepts.

[chiaracarenza]

What strikes me maybe the most is the title on the image of the video " WHY MINIMALISM SUCKS" .... It's so extreme to put that kind of title. It just reflects your videos content which contains too much extreme arguments.

[kanyeblessed]

Did you do any research or....? It just kinda sounds like you have a guilty conscience because you're privileged, as you said, or even because maybe you're wealthy (I don't know). Like obviously there's a difference between being poor and choosing to be a minimalist, that's not the point at all.

[Samsamhereiam]

I don't think you realize a lot of your followers are minimalists. We certainly don't stare off into space enjoying silence...that's weird Erin. 😄 Spending our money on things that are important instead of frivolous help us to become better stewards of our money. I certainly don't look down on anyone who has a lot of stuff. If it makes them happy who am I to say otherwise? I used to be a hoarder. I used to be heavily in debt. Thank you minimalism, Dave Ramsey, muchelle b, the minimalists and TFD! 💕

[j.m.]

Erin, please do more research and give some considered thought to the subject of minimalism. You seem to have a defensive reaction to the subject. I respect all opinions but you seem to have missed the basic premise of minimalism.

[rachel]

I mean if you only looked at what the ig influencers see as minimalism, you're right. It's alot of white walls, norweigan aesthetic and people spending a small fortune on 'minimalism' stuff once they dump all their possessions. Reeks of privilege.

But zero-waste, sustainability and frugality are a HUGE part of the community. Why own appliances you don't need (when you can sell them) or live in a larger apartment that you can barely afford (when you can rent a 1 bedroom for cheaper) or consume fast fashion that takes advantage of 'forced minimalists' when you could just make do with what you have? There's alot of intersection and nuance you are glossing over by making it about ig privileged americans.

Anecdotally, I built up my very ample 6-month emergency fund by selling my unused stuff over a period of 7 months. I am housing hunting, and because I have less stuff, I can buy a 3 bedroom and rent out 2 bedrooms and basement, freeing up my cash flow. Because I didn't want to buy anymore books, I started reading a book a week via the library audiobook app. I don't have piles of crap on my floor in my apartment, significantly lowering my anxiety. I don't want to contribute to climate change and economic inequality so I mainly shop at the thrift store. I don't want plastic bags cluttering my house and save $ at stores so I use reusable alternatives. I can move much more easily and follow job opportunities. It is liberating and positively impacted my life. I still have bookshelves with my favorite novels, but now there is no section of my library that is 'the books I meant to read but now just make me feel bad when I look at them', something Chelsea actually suggested to do for 2019.

Ps. Most people in the community have disdain for "the minimalists". They are the best marketers and are not a representative of the community as a whole. The reddit page is a better example of the diversity of opinions in the community.

[carbmg]

So, your problem is about the stupid people that use minimalism to be pretentious and fashion, but not with minimalism. (also, the minimalists doesn't create the minimalism) I think that you miss the point, this video is so wrong in so many aspects...