The Minimalist Home {Review}

The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker addresses an issue that so many of us face in today's society: too much clutter.  Our homes are overflowing, our cupboards are full, and we are renting storage space just to contain it all.  And yet many of us feel at a lose of how to end the madness.  The Minimalist Home takes a systematic, step by step approach to decluttering with purpose.  He attempts to take an overwhelming issue and focus on logical steps, all while keeping our sanity intact.  But more importantly the author quickly zeroes in on our "why" for decluttering, and the main idea is "who is owning who."  Do we own our possessions or do they own us?

This thought became increasingly clear when I set out to put this concept into action.  Taking Becker's advice, and being armed with this book and a good dose of courage, I attempted to follow through with my own little decluttering experiment.  First, I worked in my bedroom, tossing out clothes that have long since seen better days or seemed to have shrunk a few sizes while resting in my dresser.  It felt good.  But then came the hard stuff: old journals filled with poetry and stories, cards from my Grandmother, momentos from oversea travel.  So I jumped to the kitchen, purging and sorting, and cleaning as I went.  Until it too became more difficult:gadgets, cakes pans, and vintage pieces.  I found that no matter what room I was in, I had to keep coming back to Becker's central question: Who is owning who?

That's what sets this book apart.  And ultimately it's what will dictate whether I'm successful or not.  Will I own my possessions or will I allow them to own me?  Truthfully the answer to this one may change from time to time, season to season.  However, I think this is a battle well worth fighting and I do believe that Becker's book is an excellent tool to use.  Logical, sincere, and insightful, Joshua Becker has laid out a thorough plan of attack.  And while I don't see myself minimizing as much as he has, his suggestions and checklists make this an easy to follow process.  

In the weeks that I've owned this book, I've found myself decluttering in starts and stops as the inspiration hits.  My journey is one of ups and downs, and certainly some detours.  However, The Minimalist Home keeps calling me back, and I know in time, I will find myself in a more peaceful, organized home thanks to this book.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.