Survey #248—Full Response from Anonymous user
| What useful decluttering or organizing strategies or methods did you take away from the book? | Mostly familiar stuff, but sometimes said a bit differently - don't get creative when you are trying to discard things - organizing is not minimizing - don't consider whether you got your money's worth from something - consider if the item is right for the person you are today (not past you or future you) - thinking of stores as your warehouses (covid confused this a bit what if I can't get it??!!) - information minimalism - not exactly what he said, but how to stay informed enough without being overly immersed in the news and/or wasting time on trivial distractions |
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| What parts or aspects of the book did you find difficult to grasp or challenging to apply to your home or situation? | I found his no limit l admiration for Apple and Steve Jobs a bit much (please minimize that). Also I find it hard to believe that no minimalists are overweight (maybe grocery shopping is minimalist too?) I never felt I acquired things to impress other people, so I didn't relate to that. I'd say that to me the shopping/hunting was fun and gave a sense of accomplishment. It was a precursor to the wearing or using of the purchase, but it's own separate activity. Similarly, he said he bought cameras to be there as part of the decor and to impress people. With me it would have been that I meant to become a competent photographer and bought the tools, but it hasn't happened yet. His story about the cross he got in Croatia really made me feel his minimalism isn't what I'd want for myself. He had a "deep affection" for that item, and loved all aspect of it - the color, the feel of it, that he acquired it on the street -it "made his heart dance". By getting rid of it he said he could travel and not buy souvenirs. I don't understand why he had to find the "courage" (weird word) to let it go. As Janis/Kris K would say "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose". That story really troubled me - you can't keep a single item that brings you pleasure? |
| Please share your favorite quotations or key takeaways from this book. | Our things are like roommates, except we pay their rent. Organizing is not minimizing. Let go of someday Say goodbye to who you used to be Don’t get creative when you are trying to discard things I was intrigued by the idea that things are exciting, then you get used to them and they become the norm. Don't agree with it 100%, some things I continue to love or love more as time goes by. But it got me thinking. Especially when talking about the job or situation that you strongly dislike now but must have wanted enough at one point to seek it out. I liked the idea of the "uniform". I realized I have a bit of a consistent clothing style and maybe it would be good to embrace that and clear out items that don't support it. |
| When you hear the word “minimalism” used to describe a lifestyle, what do you think of? | I don't have any other knowledge about it aside from this book. The book brought to mind a Family Guy episode where Lois (the mother) starts to de-clutter until the house is completely empty. She pulls the daughter's eyeglasses off because they are "cluttering up her face". For me, I'd want it to mean that I have the "right" amount of stuff for the life I want to be leading right now (or likely near future). Basically all the things we talk about on the Clutter Fairy. |
| “The things you own end up owning you.”* To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? How is it relevant to your stuff? | When I started to answer this I would have said if it put you in debt, then it owned you. But as I tried to answer, I realized it also can interfere with your day to day life, how much you socialize, how you interact with people you care about, how you feel about spending time in your home, how you feel about yourself, how much you can accomplish each day. So I wouldn't have chosen the words "it owns you", but it's not far off. |
| Future topics | I like the occasional book topic. It was actually a bit of work to think through, so I wouldn't want to do it too often, but I like it. I've listened to the Marie Kondo episodes multiple times - they really prompt some conversation, looking forward to this episode. |
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