Originally Posted by
GeorgeParker
I consider myself a 'Simplifier" on my way to Essentialism (using that term the same way the book "Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown defined it.)
To be a bit more specific by giving examples:
Marie Kondo says some very smart and useful things; but she also talks to her socks, is obsessive-compulsive, and her mantra to not have anything in your house that doesn't "spark joy" would require tossing out the diaper pail, the 2020 income tax forms, and various other things that don't spark joy but are a practical necessity of modern life.
So we turn to the tried and true motto of William Morris's "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." That's great advice, but even being surrounded by things that are beautiful can be over done. If you love clown sculptures but you have to add two rooms to your house to display them all.... you may be overdoing it.
So we come to Minimalism. As it is commonly misunderstood, minimalism means having nothing in your house (or your life) that isn't absolutely necessary for survival, and you should get rid of the house as well if you can. But in it's true form, minimalism is closer to Essentialism or to Voluntary Simplicity. Minimalism embraces a range of lifestyles, but the extremists somehow seem to get all the publicity.
So we move on to Essentialism which is commonly misunderstood as just a different name for Minimalism, and unfortunately a lot of books and articles on the subject present it that way --as though everything you own and everything you do in every waking moment of your life absolutely must serve a utilitarian purpose and must be moving you toward your ultimate triumphant goal! (Hogwash!)
As defined by McKeown in his excellent book, essentialism means letting go of everything in your life that doesn't contribute to your health, happiness, and contentment. Various chapters explain that getting enough sleep is essential, eating nutritious food you enjoy is essential, spending quality time with your friends and family is essential, an enjoyable spiritual life is essential, having enough time to play and exercise and just plain loaf around is essential. And oh by the way, focusing like a laser on the things that will move you most efficiently toward your financial, career, and other goals is essential too, but it's only one part of the big picture, and not the most important part.
I'm 71 and the older I get the more I want to essentialize by eliminating objects and habits and thoughts and activities that no longer serve my real goals (if they ever did) and by bringing things into my life that will serve my needs better. For example going to a restaurant is simpler than learning how to cook better and what to eat for better health, but which of those two options will best serve my essential nutritional and financial and brain stimulation needs?
I've only touched the surface here on this very complex subject of all the competing voices and confusingly vague terminology people who try to simplify run into, but you get the idea. As I said in that other thread, there are more books and videos and articles on any given aspect of simplicity than any one person could reasonably watch or read, so I always appreciate a thoughtful review of what resources someone found useful and why.
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