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[J Town Girl]

Since I love to organize and enjoy seeing how others store their items I watch a lot of youtube videos.    There is no shortage of decluttering videos on youtube.

What I found a little surprising is the idea that you should just get rid of things for the sake of decluttering.  I'm not talking about older people who are downsizing or those who have items that no longer suit their lifestyle.   I'm talking about young people in their 20's and 30's.   I've watched videos where they decide they no longer need those few extra bath towels or that second set of sheets.   The items are in perfect condition, many of them have never been used.    Their thinking is well I only need a few towels or just a few drinking glasses and just one or two skillets so I'll just get rid of the extra ones.    Do they not think that their current towels will wear out and that the glasses will eventually break.   They have already spent the money to buy these items why not hold on to them because sooner or later they will need to replace them.

I'm not suggesting that living in a house full of clutter is the way to go but spending the money to purchase these items and then donating the item just because the idea of living the semi-minimalist life is the current trend just seems so foolish.

I've watched videos where young women have purged expensive purses and shoes and beautiful home decor and you just know that within a few months they are going to rebuy those items.    If you no longer like the item or have a need for it I can understand getting rid of it, but foolishly discarding your possessions just so you can reach a number such as 30 items in 30 days seems wasteful.  

I have done decluttering but I still hold on to a few items that while I may not need them at this time I know I will use them eventually.    I don't want to have to purchase them again.  

Does anyone else feel like we've taken the minimalist lifestyle too far? 

[gizmogal]

“Does anyone else feel like we've taken the minimalist lifestyle too far? “

No, I don’t think living life a particular way, neat, austere, ascetic, barren, uncluttered, minimalist  is too far. Everyone should optimize their lives in any way that makes them happy and doesn’t hurt other people or impose something  righteous or judgmental.

I do think talking about it, making videos of it and watching videos about other people  disposing of their possessions is “too far”.  Some people hoard, some people declutter or purge. What’s foolish to you is probably sensible to them. When you ask for “too far” opinions you invite judgment.

Live the way you want without becoming ardent and judging others over it. If you think this behavior is foolish and wasteful, stop watching videos of it. If you ask others about what is too far, you’ve gone too far. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Can never be too rich, or too thin, or too decluttered, I guess.

[Snowpuppy]

I think a lot of it was fueled by Kon Mari.

That and today's  Millenials grew up in the 1990's -2007 when they lived in mortgaged McMansions that had 3 car garages and basements filled with 'stuff' that has no purpose.

For many, including my own Millenial, it's a lack of job security that keeps him fluid. Job loss means moving and taking your MIC schlock with you.

He can't vision homeownership just yet so that keeps his savings high and his consumerism low. 

[Fiero Woman]

Not a fad for me.

[Sooner]

If anything went too far it was clutter.  Martha Stewart sort of led the charge stuff in 1983 with her "Entertaining" book, but quickly started to declutter her houses and her approach to living, so I think she could be part of the start of the trend to live a more simple and organized life. 

And I think that's a VERY good thing!  

[jannabelle1]

There may be a certain segment of Millenials who fall into the declutter lifestyle that you're seeing on these videos (or that you know from first hand experience), but I do not believe that all Millenials are like this. My two step-sons and their wives certainly did not grow up in elaborate mansions with basements overflowing with disposable "stuff". They were raised in middle class homes by parents who bought the necessities, took a few family vacations and spoiled their kids with an eye on what was affordable for them. The sons are now adults with families of their own and are proud homeowners. Do they spend too money? Yes, I think they do at times, but I think I probably did the same thing at different points in my life. But neither of them have bought into the minimalist lifestyle. The difference between them and my generation is that their buying habits are much different than what mine were at their age.

[IMW]

Maybe it is the logical answer to conspicuous consumption.

[novamc1]

Seems to me that decluttering isn't the  true "fad". 

For the past couple of relatively prosperous decades, the "fad" has been building more stores (which are now losing and going out of  business), which have sold more things that we all seem to think we have to buy, find places to store,  and then get rid of.

Very interesting period in U.S. economic history..........no?

Today's younger people seem to be reacting against this accumulation trend and have begun to think it's a lot more fun to take a trip than to find a place to store towels and sheets.

Next up for potential bankruptcy, maybe......places such as The Container Store.  All these storage accessories probably wouldn't exist if  folks hadn't created the industry by buying so much stuff.

I'm one of those who rarely deny myself anything I want, but  sometimes what I want doesn't always match up with what I need.

[Witchy Woman]

Not a fad for me, but a wish to simplify my surroundings.

As much as I love "things" I find that, as I've aged, having it all sitting around confuses me.  Yes, confuses me.  I have things here and there and lost track of just WHAT I have!  When I track it all down and assemble it in one place, I wonder just HOW in the world I got so much.

There was a time I entertained larger crowds and had use for so much.  No more.  Do I need 24 Chargers or dozens of glasses of every shape and size, dishes, dishes and more dishes.

No.

I find being organized and having fewer things is what makes me happiest.  I still love beautiful things, but just don't need so much!

Decluttering and organizing are ongoing projects for me.

I have no children or anyone to leave things to, so what's the point of keeping all these things if I'm not using them?