I’m a big fan of decluttering—it’s a word I use often. In fact, the online course I developed to help people own less and live more is called Uncluttered (clearly based on the word: declutter).
“Declutter” is a perfectly-good word in the English language that communicates an important principle. Everybody should remove the clutter from their homes and lives. It will transform your life and you’ll never regret it. No time spent removing clutter is ever wasted.
But I think there is a deeper conversation to be had about the words: decluttering and minimalism. I sometimes use them interchangeably as there is overlap between the two ideas. But they mean different things.
And while decluttering is great, minimalism is even better.
Decluttering is the act of removing clutter from a room, an area, etc. Removing items from our home that we know are no longer needed and are creating crowded messes or confusion.
Minimalism, on the other hand, accomplishes that and takes an additional step. Minimalism removes clutter (however broad you define the term) and it challenges our assumptions of how much we actually need.
Minimalism is about searching for the minimum amount. Or, more accurately stated, it is about finding the optimal amount of any possession in our home and life. It rejects society’s assumptions and prescriptions about the size of our home, the number of clothes in our closet, or the number of toys in our child’s bedroom. It challenges each person to discover the minimum amount needed to accomplish their purpose and goals.
Decluttering focuses on removing surface level possessions. Minimalism helps us discover how little we actually need.
Because of this difference, there are advantages to minimalism:
Minimalism frees up more resources. Because people who pursue minimalism rather than simple decluttering end up owning less, more of our finite resources (time, money, energy) are freed up.
Minimalism helps us reject consumerism. There are WAY too many people who declutter their closets and shelves, only to fill up those spaces again with more purchased clutter. Minimalism helps break the trend of consumerism in our lives more effectively than simple decluttering.
Minimalism teaches us more about ourselves. The act of challenging assumptions in life—regardless of the assumption—always results in self-evaluation. When we begin to search for more items that we can live without (and wrestle with the difficulty of removing more and more), we are forced to journey inward and learn more about ourselves, our motivations, and where our habits came from.
Minimalism benefits more people. Minimalism will always result in removing more things than decluttering. This means more opportunity to meet the needs of others in our community through generosity. Our excess can be a blessing.
Minimalism carves the way for lasting life change. Minimalism forces intentionality. It removes distractions and causes us to align our actions with our values by stripping away the excess in all areas of life. This short-term action results in long-term change for our lives and potential.
Minimalism offers longer-term benefits for our kids and the environment. In greater ways than decluttering, minimalism serves as a powerful example for our kids and offers greater benefit to the world around us.
Let me encourage you. If you need to declutter your life, do it. But don’t stop there. Take an additional step: Become Minimalist. It’s even better.
Linda Mitchell says
Sounds interesting and deep, perhaps I’d better de clutter first… 😒?
Richard Goodwin says
For many, decluttering just means more organizing of things or more storage containers for things.
Out of sight, out of mind!
But it’s not really out of mind until you get rid of it altogether!
As you said, the minimalism that most people need is not to have the absolute fewest things, but to have the absolute optimal number of things!
Not too much.
Not too little.
But Just Right!
– rsg
Maureen Pucheu says
Joshua,
There is an ocean of minimalists posts on YouTube and other on-line platforms, but you are without a shadow of a doubt the most eloquent and professional. Its a joy to read your articles and watch your videos. You provide well thought out guidance and ‘it makes sense’ advice. I have been following you for some years now, and I have very much advanced on my journey to becoming some sort of minimalist and moreover intentional about what I now bring into my home. I am a procrastinator without a doubt, but with you help I am not far from my goal… Thank you again.
P.S.
I am currently reading your book again. The content is so well designed and clear. A couple of years ago I switched from watching the “Minimalists'” channel when I stumbled upon yours;) No disrespect for them!!
Sandy says
I love his posts! He always explains what are the advantages to be free of all unwanted or excessive material things.
Being a minimalist has tons of advantages to free up your valuable time which you can’t buy with any amount of money in the future. By understanding minimalism is different for everyone and no one is forced to get rid of things they value, we all can find the balance in what we own. I am sure this will give peace, freedom and more importantly time to focus on our precious health than shopping, organizing and decluttering all the time.