Review: Extremist perspectives on minimalism that will cause you more guilt than freedom
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 06 3, 2013
I found nothing new or original in this book. In fact, I found its "perspective" on minimalism quite awful.It's one thing to distinguish that yes, anything beyond your physical survival is technically a "want." But to advocate living that way sounds awful. She makes one exception: if you "need" something for your livelihood. Only your livelihood in mentioned. So all those hobbies she advocates you taking up in your new spare time shouldn't have any purchases required, I suppose. What if you just like having a computer and the internet and don't need it for work?Her writing seems extreme (or overly simplistic) and would cause a normal person more guilt that freedom. Minimalism is about making purchases mindfully, not cutting out anything not necessary to your survival.In another extremist perspective, she only accepts consumerism as being a product of "Keeping up with the Joneses." According to this book, that is your only problem. Not that you could have hoarding tendencies, or equate possessions with love, are an impulsive shopper, or gasp, have bought some things you actually like. Keeping up with the Joneses is ONE cause of lots of possessions, it's not a necessary one and it's not the sole reason. This irked me repeatedly through the book.