"Minimalism" is a Scam 

Should be called "intentionalism"

Minimalism isn't the scam. People who make it into a cult, create the scam.

Minimalism has helped me declutter stuff I didn't need. It gave me permission. I'm a clean, organised, tidy person naturally. But I had too much of certain things, like clothing. I will never cut down to 5 items of clothing like a lot of hard core minimalists, but I've donated a lot to charity now. And I always have something to wear that fits and what makes me feel good. I got a rid of other stuff too but will never be a 'true minimalist. For me it's helping me save money because I don't want to buy everything in site. It's given me some self control :)

I wanna share my story a bit, sorry for my bad English. I used to live in Korea alone for study. Originally I’m coming from Indonesia. I started to learn about “Minimalism” there. Because I constantly moving from one place to another place. I started becoming a “Minimalist” since then. The result of this lifestyle was happened in 2018, I achieved my emergency fund goals. I watched several videos from Aja Dang, etc... or read some books from Fumio Sasaki, Marie Kondo, and other amazing creators. Many people have wrong conception about “Minimalism” and acting like it is a “cult” meanwhile for me who living in Asian Countries & having less of space the “mindfulness” & “minimalist” room organization are totally useful. I shop less, I shop things that I need mindfully, Doing reduce/reuse/recycle, choosing good food for my body (it helps me to look fit and younger too 😂❤️) I don’t download useless app and all my stuff can fit inti 1 room. Minimalism is not for everyone, indeed. Many people abused this lifestyle. But It does help my life even until now 🤗

I suspect minimalism has become a way of controlling other people. "If your house isn't as bare and colorless as mine, there is something wrong with you!" I like beautiful objects; my husband likes souvenirs. He treasures every marble that every kid ever lost in the 110 years since our home was built. That is one of things that makes him who he is.

Unfortunately many does not understand what minimalism is, resulting in those kinds of unreal videos. To me is making mindful decisions and trying to keep time to spend on myself and loved ones.

Everyone has their own version of minimalism. I don’t like to have a bunch of stuff. I just started living this way a year and half again. No need for me to have 8 coffee mugs and excess games/movies when I don’t even play them….good video

The only issue I have is that if you enjoy your collection people *still* tell you to get rid of it. That's not helpful

That is one type of minimalism. Everything I own is colorful. But I dont own much. Everything I have I love and brings me joy.

I think that everything can become "a cult", you know. If the person rely too much on stuff and then get rid of all but don't seek help for this hole that they feel, they will become obssed with other stuff, like minimalism. One good friend of mine did a surgery to reduce is stomach (I'm brazilian, just forgot the name in english haha) and then, out of thin air, he couldn't compulsive eat. So he started to drink A LOT to fill that space inside him. It's not about all the beautiful minimalist aesthetic things, it's about people finding space to live a better life, but some people got it all wrong.

I call myself a luxury minimalist. I got rid of all the things, which had no value to me. But … I have an „overpriced coffee setup“ with a nice mashine and mill because I love coffee and I enjoy every single cup. I own three bikes (steel, titanium) because I love cycling and do it almost every day. That’s why to me minimalism doesn’t mean have only this or that. It’s a personal approach being more conscious (as you already mentioned)

I like the Marie Kondo method of decluttering because you get to keep all the stuff that makes you happy but are encouraged to let go of the dud gifts, bad clothes, ugly art etc. I have most of my sentimental toys, I have lots of comfy cushions, I have way too many chairs for 1 person but my home is clean, my stuff is kept to a minimum, and my peace is maximized

minimalism changed my life drastically for the better but there is def not a one size fits all. It really should be called common sense because ultimately thats all it is. Unfortunately society now is greed based and debt based. Minimalism just takes us out of that and back to the basics.

I think minimalism becomes unhealthy when we rely on the emotional benefits of decluttering, cleaning, spending less etc. Trying to find the route to happiness through minimalism will only just make us unhappy, especially when comparison and burnout gets involved. I started to go down that hole when I was reading Marie Kondo's book, but realized I shouldn't focus so much on what I should be getting rid of, but focusing on myself and my habits first. I definitely don't think minimalism is a cult or a bad lifestyle, but I do agree the videos here on youtube can get preachy, as you described. Mindfulness is key. Thank you for this video!

Minimalism helped me to live a peaceful and calm life. I used to organize all the clutter I have. After minimalism, I decluttered all the things, which I never used for past 10 years. It made to realize Owing less. Now I am peacefully, I have everything I need. Minimalism is awesome

I have decluttered multiple times and each time helps more than the last. Each time is a chance to look at something and ask, "Why am I keeping this? Have I used it recently, and how many decluttering sessions have I asked those same questions?" HOW you look as a minimalists really is lifestyle and hobby specific. A home owner many have many tools and equipment to do their own repairs and yardwork, while a condo owner or renter may have none of those. Someone into camping may have a summer sleeping back and a winter one, a single person tent and a family tent, etc.

Something i don't understand about this "minimalist houses" is the size of those places, if u said u only have what u need, then why they have big places to Live in? Most minimalist should Live in tiny houses and shoebox appartments...

Good stuff man. Everyone has there own version of minimalism

Some people do minimalism with the wrong intention. If you're starting minimalism because you think it will bring you happiness, no, you have to want to turn your life around and consciously want to be happy. If you don't want to put in effort to be happy, then nothing you do will ever make u happy. It starts with you.

That's weird. I thought most people found minimalism useful because they live in small, cluttered apartments with several family members and it means less stuff to clean, less stuff to stumble over and less visual pollution. I had no idea that anyone out there was promising minimalism as the solution to existential problems. The one thing I will say is that it's irresponsible of rich people with central heating to tell the poor to get rid of their many blankets... come Winter time, warm clothes and blankets is all the poor will have to keep them safe from the cold when they can't pay for heating. Accumulating stuff that's useful is a good thing, not hoarding. It's also the rich adopting minimalism who live in these vast homes with hardly anything in them. For a small apartment, few possessions are useful. In a vast space it feels not welcoming.

Moving to a simple, more intentional life has made a huge difference in my life. I am a very practical person and have both filtered the online advice & chosen not to watch content that is one-sided. I think balance is important in our spaces & in our thinking. Personally, the type of "minimalism" you are describing at the beginning if this video is not one that has ever had any draw for me at all.

I love the obsession with zero waste crap to, I'm like b*tch I live in the woods with no fridge, I need canned food

True.... somehow all Minimalists preach minimalism and then themselves move to bigger houses , buy things for their homes , give links for the items they purchased ... Kudos to you to to say what ground reality is...

i enjoy your video and also minimalism. for me minimalism is you live your life with joy without thinking what people said .. just live your life.. each of us has our own style of happiness.. minimalism in my definition is living your life happily and do what necessary to do in your life and always be happy with what you are doing.. because at the end of the day.. it always about you not others..

From my perspective, a lot of the minimalists I see on RU-vid are largely LARPing as minimalists. It is done as a style, rather than a form of living, if you understand what I mean. I also notice that these people are wealthy, which perhaps is why their lifestyle seems so inauthentic. Their minimalism didn't grow organically, but rather is put on as a show, even if just to themselves (but most often to others). I grow up poor, and I grew up moving around a lot, so owning a lot was either impossible, or inconvenient, and so I became what is my form of a minimalist. Now I own a small (1000sqf), inexpensive house in a small, inexpensive rural town. I could afford a bigger one certainly, because as a minimalist your funds tend to pool up over time, but I don't really want one or the additional associated costs or time I'd have to put in maintaining it. I have simple clothes, I cook my own food, I fix things myself around the house, I cut wood as exercise and to help with heating bills in the winter, though I enjoy that. I have just what I need to do these things (some tools, etc), and don't own or desire designer clothes. My house isn't bare walls and no furniture, just what is enough to be comfortable, and some memorabilia and whatnot from travelling around. I enjoy simple hobbies like hiking in the forest and reading. As a result, I've stopped wage working, because my expenses are so few, and make all the money I need trading. Now I have even more time to enjoy with my family and my simple hobbies. If you're really living a minimalist lifestyle, you aren't constantly evaluating "do I need this thing or that", it is internalized. You don't even think about it. You don't buy excess goods or live an excess lifestyle because you don't even DESIRE these things. You also don't need to constantly post on social media about what you are doing or what you are buying, or eating. Who cares? Anyway, I'm not trying to offend anyone really, that is just my view on the matter.

Well said! Something I've noticed about many minimalist channels is that they like to mock Marie Kondo, and yet go on to repeat all her groundbreaking ideas. I like Fumio Sasaki's books where he is very honest about his journey (and credits Marie Kondo with her inspiration). The Minimalist Mom is also great and keeps her feet on the ground. I think most of the minimalists that have been going for a few years - A Small Wardrobe and Lia's Loft are so much less dogmatic and realise minimalism is just a tool to focus on what we want to spend our time and money on.

I became minimalist before watching or reading anything on minimalism. That was 7 years ago and it’s been one of the best ideas I’ve ever done. My brother shared the concept with me in like three sentences and It sounded to me like an amazing idea. After thinking about it for a couple days - I started decluttering and it felt really great to declutter to the point of me eventually questioning if it was becoming an addiction. So, I think for some ... minimalism makes sense for some (& it’s not a cult for them) but maybe for some it will never make sense, and they keep trying so they can get to that same place of happiness others claim of owning only what they use and appreciate

Great! I got rid of few items and now I regret. We shouldn't be impulsive trying to minimize our things. That's something I've learned in the hard way. Thank you.

The biggest minimalist I knew was such a waster! She wasted so much resource... So much time organizing and "decluttering." So much time looking for the perfect single item to fit the perfect setup of her home. So much resource bc nothing was diy. Out and about, didn't pack a lunch...bc uh, lunch boxes are cumbersome in the pantry. So she spends those dollars. So much time working to save for all that travel and hobbies. Meanwhile, we live on a single teacher's income and I bought everything used or it was given to me. Or I would work to make it. Gardens, wood shop, tools, animals for food.... All that requires A LOT of stuff... Homeschooling, saves a lot of tax dollars. Requires a lot of books. Making your own clothes...space for the materials and machine...saves tons of money. Minimalists are hardly ever Producers. They consume less but almost never make anything.

Like your common sense, we have 8 cats & feed strays cats...Decluttering is helpful but music & hobbies are important too!

Lifestyle for me is when I wear simple, I cook simple and healthy, when I do grocery shopping with my list. I feel good. Also I stop buying extra clothes or shoes, book no more, I prefer kindle. And traveling to place no one go and less expensive.

This is my outlook on minimalism as well. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

I never had many clothes. I borrow books and magazines from the library. But I love costume jewelry which I've been collecting and wearing for about 60 (sixty) years. I like the bright colors, and the sparkle. Tina, Al's wife

This is completely unrelated to the video topic but your production quality is stellar. For a channel this new, it already feels like you’re finding your rhythm and vibe. Amazing work!

Get rid of junk and stuff I hadn't looked at for decades, it's freeing downsizing

I love what you said about minimalism isn't about the number of things you own it's about your relationship to those things. I have reduced the items I own but I still have tons of cooking items, because I love to cook. I use them!

My takeaway: live for yourself and live intentionally :) Enjoy your life and do the things that make you happy!

You raise a lot a valid points. Minimalism is a unique journey for each person. What brings you joy and fulfilment won't be the same for me, and vice versa. I'm going to check out some more of your work - thank you for uploading this, and well done RU-vid algorithm for putting it on my home page!

OMG, I so needed this video. I'm about to move and decided to check out downsizing but it's hard to throw out so many things that I still feel attached to for now. So I found your channel.

Minimalism is great, It frees up so much of your time, keeps unnecessary stress levels in check or very balanced and feeds self motivation/ ambition. Minimalism is discipline of self. Minimalism is the antonym of greed.

Even when I owned less than 100 items I still never did the wearing all black, all white walls typical aesthetic. I've never understood how that became the "image" for minimalism. It makes it out into a trend which isn't sustainable for many people. If you do minimalism in the way that works just right for you it will be sustainable. For example, I don't own furniture. I move way too much for that. For a mother of four children who lives long-term in the same area then Furniture free would not work at all.

Well said! I Agree with you as a fellow "minimalist" It should be a tailored lifestyle for each person separately, not a set of rules.

I was searching for this topic only... I think you're the only one who really talks about The Minimalist videos in YT...

It is getting pretty culty, you got that right! My takeaway is, eliminate that which doesn’t make my life better. Clutter in the room like clutter in the mind. As above so below.

I agree with this. I hate the idea of clutter so I'll have only one face wash at a time. certain amount of socks, whatever. But I like gaming and crystals and I'm not going to throw away my other games and crystals. basically it's just perfectionism gone too extreme.

There are people who live out of a suitcase and ate happy and gay.

Its all about balance... and anyone has their own balance who for someone else is not. True some will try to have a sell pitch, but hey, I like the style, bought a few things.. but I have a ceramic 2 dollar pour over for coffee. I have gotten rid of alot of stuff, and I feel better for it. Im not the type to have nothing but the bare floor, but have enough that I am using on a regular basis. I dont even have a TV. Dont want one. I do have a computer, of course.. Just a cell, no home phone. Have a small apartment, but I like it. I live with what makes me feel comfortable. I watch some minimal videos to get ideas for improvements, but I have enough sense in me to not let it control me. As long as you live where you are comfortable and have the proper balance, you will be happy in that way.. but again, there are other things needed to make you happy, but at least its a good start.

Ouch! This hurts a bit. Gotta take it all with a grain of salt to benefit.

Yeah 😉…..you were listening to some people who had serious issues with material objects. Minimalism is exactly what you said. Thank you. 🙏🏼🙌🏽

Good video! I actually like the eco minimalism better then just minimalism....i like to combine zero waste...well low waste...with minimalism.

Why do they only wear neutral though?🥵 They all dressed alike.

Great video thanks for sharing this! Minimalism has changed my life and although I'm one of those black wearing people, the one thing my home is filled with other than kids stuff is photographs as I would say I love collecting and capturing memories!

Minimalism as we know it today is indeed a cult. I agree that minimalism isn’t a set of rules. It’s ugly how it’s a tool for indoctrination. Minimalism is nothing but awareness and starts with acknowledging that it’s not a destination and rather a process!!!! Starting by knowing you only let go to let in.. like seriously to me minimalism is about having more!!! Like letting go of my fear of leaving a toxic relationship.. stop buying things to impress.. doing jobs that pay me to buy things to impress others that don’t care.. minimalism for me is about having more of self boundaries and letting go of people pleasing .. more of NOs that bring me peace over the YESs that make others happy.. more shoes that I love wearing without having to post on the gram for validation.. more physical activities and less physical activities to gain likes on the gram.. more of understanding what is a true friend and what is an acquaintance.. saying no is minimalism.. as I say no i say yes to what I want to do.. minimalism isn’t a journey that needs the validation of others and indeed doesn’t give righteousness nor it should be a reason why one shall devalue others who are not.. minimalism is choosing to not compete with others based on who’s more minimalistic.. minimalism isn’t a scam and yet minimalism is a great tool to scam.. and hell yeah it works well.. like many other things.. yoga.. religion.. etc minimalism didn’t help me.. I helped myself by taking steps to make changes to my toxic lifestyle and these steps happened to be labeled as “minimalism”

Thats not minimalism those people who are obsessed with emptyness and blank spaces.

You are so right , totally agreed.

minimalism.like u give up, that you won't used it frequently and a lot of things, etc.. yes, I understand what you said, because we end up buying lotsa thing stock up in drawer, and you dont's used it,don't read it like books, etc..all the times. keep things minimal is goods.. buy what essentials..❤️... be happy what you have. like feeling zen.

Whilst I agree nearly all of the minimalist stuff on YT is ridiculous, unnecessary and just content put there to make money or boost a narcissists ego ... however... i would say......"You were made to believe" should be changed to "You decide to believe...". Its definitely a bit of a cargo cult though. Its almost like a pointless competition to see who can own the least rather than concentrating on the reasons *why* its beneficial. There are way too many people showing how to "declutter" (which, frankly any semi-functioning mammal should be able to figure out on their own) and my personal favourite.... "minimalist room tours". Literally could just be a 4 second video or a picture..... nope... its 15 minutes long and... "Hey, dont forget to checkout my sponsor..." . If see one more millenial moron swirling around a long spouted coffee pot I think i'll go postal. I was thinking of making a video entitled "My minimalist room tour" - and it literally being about 3 seconds long with a voice over saying... "There. Thats it, fuck all apart from a bed".

Without a purpose or community, humans have to fill the emptiness with something.

EXACTLY THANK YOU WELL PUT WELL SAID

Thank you for this real video.

Where is your videos of living minimalist vie !

Well said man, I totally agree

If I were a minimalist and decided to have a RU-vid channel, I would call it "Colorful Minimalist".

I think essentialism is best for this.

I think anyone that wants to get into it should watch this vid first

I wouldn't sell everything I own but i think it is smart to sell whatever you won't need in the next 6 months and to avoid buying crap simply because other people have it. Lamborghinis might be nice but do i really want to spend a few hundred dollars on a car that I would be worried that someone would scratch up all so I can show off to people I have never met in my life and likely will never meet again. I try to make it so all my belongings fit in one piece of luggage that i can carry onto a plane. I am like that with people. If people do not do anything for me they are a waste of time to have in my life. I would rather spend my time playing minecraft than going to the local bar.

Minimalism is definitely what you make it, some are cult like. Not all.

AWESOME!! I needed to hear this!!

A great video.😀

158th subscriber here, proving to future subscribers I'm one of the og's, lol

please visit A Small Wardrobe. patricia, the host , adds beautifully to what this guy says, but is more artful about it.

you've got the balls to say the truth kid, I liked it

Too much minamalism and too much maxamalism is bad. You should just be in between

Nouvelle abonnée, encouragements!

I'm just became your Susb250. Very helpful video. Namaste

I don't understand the number of dislikes...

I am a pure minimalist. I am very happy; very free; very responsible to the world, to myself, to others. I am able to be more charitable; in complete control; and devote more of myself to others' needs. If you are weak, minimalism will burden you. If you are stable and confident - minimalism will free you body and soul.

Hi there Tim, in short a while back I was binge watching every Minimalist utuber out there and in particular I was watching one woman, who I will not name. It turned out she appeared to be the real thing until in one of her later videos she showed a shot of her bedroom and under her bed was alot of stuff being stored! This totally turned me off! because in all her previous videos she was priding herself about her extreme & rigged Minimalism. The purist Minimalists continuing to buy new stuff and then repeating the cycle all over again! If you follow them long enough You will see what I mean. I say this to say we can all learn something From minimalism, However, We don’t have to follow others to a T. They can serve as our inspiration. Therefore, I would agree with you! on the BS, lol

Where r ur subs dude

Are you doing the same thing "those" people are doing when you get on your soapbox? I don't see it as any different. Minimalism is not a trademarked concept. There's a whole continuum of values, ideas, and strategies out there.