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I would not underestimate the minimalism philosophy in reducing clutter. It gets to a point where doodads and clutter is demoralising, and often materialistic a

I would not underestimate the minimalism philosophy in reducing clutter. It gets to a point where doodads and clutter is demoralising, and often materialistic and distracting.

forest_dweller 6y ago
There is a difference between clutter and having some decoration. Proponents of minimalism seem to conflate the two. Also whenever someone complains about something being materialistic that automatically sets off my BS detector.
- carapace 6y ago
  Steady on What about Japan? A whole culture that celebrates an artistic minimalism, eh? I get what you're saying, I think, but it feels to me like you might be overreacting just a little. FWIW, I found that I could concentrate better in a noisy cafe than a quiet bare room, but that's just me, eh?
  - brailsafe 6y ago
    I've been more of a minimalist for most of my life, but I found that it's kind of a prison to view everything through a lens of justification or necessity. In some ways a walnut brown apartment with nothing but white furniture and nothing on the walls can be beautiful, but often it's just dull and sad like a cube farm. To each their own, but I say fuck it, put some neat stuff on the walls and paint the whole place red.
- mrmuagi 6y ago
  Pardon the cliche, but we really do live in a society of consumerism. I'm a victim to it to some degree. I've spent a lot of money of stuff that I regret on reflection, but that's what fuels my perspective and makes my lessons learned. If you have material stuff you love, and you don't regret it, kudos, you probably don't need my advice -- but don't think your advice is universal. But guess what, a nice backdrop in my study didn't help my work. Focusing did. Locking my phone and removing distractions did. This weird culture of buying stuff that aims to magically provide a silver bullet to all problems. Okay, maybe one exception -- plants. They are great. Protip, if you are a college student on a tight budget, guess what, you are automatically a minimalist :). > There is a difference between clutter and having some decoration. Proponents of minimalism seem to conflate the two. See that's what I disagree with, I find decoration in a workspace clutter. And I say to you I am not demoralized. I am happier, more focused and my wallet is heavier without random doodads in my eyeline. An empty workspace is a dream to me. Pure focus is the minds elation in my humble opinion. > Also whenever someone complains about something being materialistic that automatically sets off my BS detector. Well, shucks, you caught me! Because I am a here to sell you my minimalist blog, book and podcast! ... Not really. I promise I am not, but I can see why you BS detector is high. Fad peddlers and the mass media marketing discovered not owning stuff can be called minimalism and make youtube videos on why living in a van is the future, when in reality opponents just say it's just a coping mechanism for not having money.

I would not underestimate the minimalism philosophy in reducing clutter. It gets to a point where doodads and clutter is demoralising, and often materialistic and distracting.

forest_dweller 6y ago

There is a difference between clutter and having some decoration. Proponents of minimalism seem to conflate the two. Also whenever someone complains about something being materialistic that automatically sets off my BS detector.

carapace 6y ago
Steady on What about Japan? A whole culture that celebrates an artistic minimalism, eh? I get what you're saying, I think, but it feels to me like you might be overreacting just a little. FWIW, I found that I could concentrate better in a noisy cafe than a quiet bare room, but that's just me, eh?
- brailsafe 6y ago
  I've been more of a minimalist for most of my life, but I found that it's kind of a prison to view everything through a lens of justification or necessity. In some ways a walnut brown apartment with nothing but white furniture and nothing on the walls can be beautiful, but often it's just dull and sad like a cube farm. To each their own, but I say fuck it, put some neat stuff on the walls and paint the whole place red.
mrmuagi 6y ago
Pardon the cliche, but we really do live in a society of consumerism. I'm a victim to it to some degree. I've spent a lot of money of stuff that I regret on reflection, but that's what fuels my perspective and makes my lessons learned. If you have material stuff you love, and you don't regret it, kudos, you probably don't need my advice -- but don't think your advice is universal. But guess what, a nice backdrop in my study didn't help my work. Focusing did. Locking my phone and removing distractions did. This weird culture of buying stuff that aims to magically provide a silver bullet to all problems. Okay, maybe one exception -- plants. They are great. Protip, if you are a college student on a tight budget, guess what, you are automatically a minimalist :). > There is a difference between clutter and having some decoration. Proponents of minimalism seem to conflate the two. See that's what I disagree with, I find decoration in a workspace clutter. And I say to you I am not demoralized. I am happier, more focused and my wallet is heavier without random doodads in my eyeline. An empty workspace is a dream to me. Pure focus is the minds elation in my humble opinion. > Also whenever someone complains about something being materialistic that automatically sets off my BS detector. Well, shucks, you caught me! Because I am a here to sell you my minimalist blog, book and podcast! ... Not really. I promise I am not, but I can see why you BS detector is high. Fad peddlers and the mass media marketing discovered not owning stuff can be called minimalism and make youtube videos on why living in a van is the future, when in reality opponents just say it's just a coping mechanism for not having money.