Comments on: Why I’m Wary of 100-Thing Minimalism

By: everydayminimalist

everydayminimalist — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:13:07 +0000

Oh and thank you VERY much for linking to me.

It can be hard to post pics of my place especially now that I’m in a hotel. Kind of standard looking stuff.

By: everydayminimalist

everydayminimalist — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:12:08 +0000

This is why I don’t only have 100 items.

I think being practical but just living with only what you want is the best way to go. With kids, I’m sure going to accumulate more and want to settle into one place rather than moving all the time.

You make some good points that we’re mostly single, young and very mobile.

By: Belinos

Belinos — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:19:22 +0000

Minamilisme isnt the way, miserabalisme is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=YkgDhDa4HHo&feature=related

By: drupagliassotti

drupagliassotti — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:14:02 +0000

Thank you! I enjoy reading Everett Bogue’s blog, too, UrbanWoodsWalker; he’s outspoken about his beliefs, and his posts can act like a Zen master’s whack across the shoulders, startling readers into reassessing their practices. I don’t agree with everything he writes, but I consider his blog to be a useful tool for those interested in building a minimalist lifestyle. I hope that readers who come here curious about his irritation with me will read this post and find it thought-provoking, even if they disagree with me.

By: Urbanwoodswalker

Urbanwoodswalker — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:02:03 +0000

I agree…When I read these 100 thing minimalist blogs….the person looks very young, has income from something not requiring tools, space, or employees. They have no children. Its a dream at best…can the lifestyle be continued for any long length of time?

As an artist, I only can fantasize about getting rid of all my hoards of books, tools, supplies, and then, the fruits of my labors, which may or may not be sold, or sent out to galleries.

As I age, the medications grow ever larger too, and the dependence on a car in the suburbs, where public transportation is basically non existant.

I read Everett Bogue….he inspires me a great deal, but changing to this lifestyle would be as time consuming and obsessive for me, as anything else. Its fun to imagine though. Its fun to imagine back backing through the world, and having income from blog writing. So carefree.

I look forward to reading more of your sensible wisdom on this blog too. Somehow I need balance in my imaginations.

By: rosyegg

rosyegg — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:00:58 +0000

I so agree with you. I have been reading a lot of minimalist blogs recently and the 100 possessions thing. One man said that because he always lived or stayed with other people then kitchen, cleaning stuff etc. didn’t count towards his possessions. What a cop out! I am a mum living with my 30 year old son. While he would not say he owned any kitchen or cleaning apparatus he has to use them. And of course, somebody owns them so it must be me! Therefore I can never hope to get anywhere near. Also, they seem to think that everyone can make a living being a blogger whilst travelling around hundreds of countries. Nice if it works for you but that would mean never getting married or having children. Also, the constant travel worries me a bit: surely more minimal to stay at home?

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:31:33 +0000

I wholeheartedly concur with your assessment of 100-thing minimalism. I have recently become interested in the minimalist lifestyle and have determined that it needs to be unique to the individual and his/her life circumstances, as you have so rightly pointed out. When I ran across discussion of 100-thing minimalism, it struck me as being a bit contrived and not practical for most people, not to mention that, as you indicate, people seem to not count a lot of stuff that is necessary for life in contemporary American society. And some of the adherents seem to make it seem as if it is the only way to be minimalist, that if you don’t do it you have failed. I hadn’t thought of it, but your assessment that adhering to such requirements is in reality not in keeping with the spirit of minimalist living.

Thank you for an honest and thougth-provoking assessment of not only 100-thing minimalism, but minimalism in general.

By: Andrew Randazzo

Andrew Randazzo — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:12:45 +0000

You have such a gift with words. I couldn’t have articulated it any better. I’m one of those young minimalists but I’ve looked further on down the road and come to the same conclusions. You can’t expect doctors, museums, and mechanics to only have 100 things. I studied for the ministry and as much as I want to digitalize my books, there’s some that are ancient and don’t have an electronic version; but I can’t get rid of them, those are essential tools for me.

I loved how you drew out the irony of people who try to free themselves by having less but are in reality in intellectual bondage to their obsession. I’ve said it before, minimalism looks different for different people, and there’s no one, right way.

I know you don’t primarily write on minimalism, but I encourage you to voice your thoughts more in regards to that topic. We need people like you who have more years under their belt and can offer your kind of perspective. So, thanks!